Detailed Description
Students explore the foundations of forensic anthropology, an
applied sub-field of physical (biological) anthropology that uses
methods and theory developed in human osteology and archaeology to
investigate human remains and assess cause of death in a medicolegal
setting. Students critique the underlying theories and the applied
techniques that forensic anthropologists use to recover and identify
skeletonized remains and assess cause of death. Through a variety
of teaching modalities including lecture, hands-on activities and
case studies, students develop knowledge of human skeletal anatomy
and methods of skeletal identification. They explore the history of
forensic anthropology, and the role of the forensic anthropologist
in the medicolegal investigation and the assessment of cause of
death. Students apply their knowledge of methods of skeletal
identification to the construction of a forensic skeletal profile
(age, sex, population affiliation, health, antiquity) for a human
skeleton of unknown origin.
Program Context
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Degree Breadth |
Program Coordinator: Morgan Dennis |
This is an advanced (3000-
level) Baccalaureate
elective in the Social
Science field of study for
students in Degree
programs. Electives make
students aware of the
distinctive assumptions and
modes of analysis of at
least one discipline outside
their main field of study
and of the society and
culture in which they live
and work.
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Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
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Critical Performance
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the
ability to critique forensic anthropology and osteological theories
and methods within the context of their application to medicolegal
issues.
Learning Outcomes
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated
the ability to:
1. Determine the role of the forensic anthropologist in the
medicolegal process.
2. Assess the historical context and contribution of forensic
anthropology to human rights cases and mass disasters.
3. Identify human skeletal anatomy and methods of skeletal
identification.
4. Critique osteological methods of skeletal identification.
5. Synthesize forensic anthropology method and theory through the
evaluation of case studies.
6. Differentiate between ante-mortem and post-mortem skeletal
evidence.
7. Model ethical handling and analysis of human skeletal remains.
8. Conduct applied research through the collection and analysis of
primary data.
9. Create a biological profile of a human skeleton.
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Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
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Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
Tests: 40% (2 @ 20%)
Research Project (Biological Profile) 25%
Presentation 15%
In-class Activities 20% (2 @ 10%)
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT PROTOCOL
To encourage behaviours that will help students to be successful in
the workplace and to ensure that students receive credit for their
individual work, the following rules apply to every course offered
within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and
times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for
submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by
the Professor.
2. Students must write all tests at the specified times. Missed
tests, in-class activities, assignments and presentations are
awarded a mark of zero. If an extension or make-up opportunity
is approved by the professor as outlined below, the mark of zero
may be revised by subsequent performance. The penalty for late
submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for
up to five business days (excluding weekends and statutory
holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business
days include any day that the college is open for business,
whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not.
3. Students, who miss a test or in-class activity or assignment or
fail to submit an assignment on time due to exceptional
circumstances, are required to notify their professor in advance
of the class whenever possible. A make-up test may be supplied
for students who provide an acceptable explanation of their
absence and/or acceptable documentation explaining their absence
(e.g., a medical certificate). All make-up tests are to be
written at a time and place specified by the professor upon the
student's return. Alternately, students may be given an
opportunity to earn the associated marks by having a subsequent
test count for the additional marks. Similarly, exceptional
circumstances may result in a modification of the due dates for
assignments.
4. Unless otherwise specified, assignments and projects must be
submitted at the beginning of class.
5. Students must complete every assignment as an individual effort
unless, the professor specifies otherwise.
6. Since there may be instances of grade appeal or questions
regarding the timely completion of assignments and/or extent of
individual effort, etc., students are strongly advised to keep,
and make available to their professor, if requested, a copy of
all assignments and working notes until the course grade has been
finalized.
7. There will be no resubmission of work unless this has been
previously agreed to or suggested by the professor.
8. Students must submit all assignments in courses with practical
lab and field components in order to pass the course.
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Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:
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Essential Employability
Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:
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Communication
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Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
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Interpersonal
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Numeracy |
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Information
Management |
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Personal
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Notes: N/A
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact: Morgan Dennis
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement
of the course learning outcomes through previous life and work experiences.
This course is eligible for challenge through the following
method(s):
Challenge Exam |
Portfolio |
Interview |
Other |
Not Eligible for PLAR |
X |
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Notes: N/A
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Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Fall 2014
Professor: Jaime Ginter
Textbook(s): Byers, S.N. (2011). Introduction to Forensic Anthropology, 4th
edition. Pearson.
White T.D, and P.A. Folkens (2005) The Human Bone Manual, E-book.
Academic Press (available as an E-book through the Sheridan Library
system)
Recommended Reading:
Buikstra, J.E. and Ubelaker, D.H. (1994) Standards for Data
Collection from Human Skeletal Remains. Arkansas Archaeological
Survey Research Series #44.
Komar, D.A. and Buikstra, J.E. (2008). Forensic Anthropology:
Contemporary Theory and Practice. Oxford University Press.
Maples, W.R. and Browning, M. (1994). Dead Men do Tell Tales: The
Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropologist. Doubleday.
Matshes, E., Burbridge, B., Shur, B., Mohamed, A., Juurlink, B.
(2005). Human Osteology and Skeletal Radiology. CRC Press.
Nafte, M. (2009). Flesh and Bone, 2nd edition. Carolina Academic Press
Ramey Burns, K. (2013). Forensic Anthropology Training Manual, 3rd
edition. Pearson.
Rhine, S. (1999). Bone Voyage: A Journey in Forensic Anthropology.
University of New Mexico Press.
Wolfe Steadman, D. (2009). Hard Evidence: Case Studies in Forensic
Anthropology, 2nd edition. Prentice Hall
Applicable student group(s): Degree Breadth
Course Details:Module 1 - Introduction to Forensic Anthropology, Ethics
Readings: Byers 1, 19, Human Bone Manual 3
Topics:
- Introduction to the course
- Historical background of forensic anthropology
- Forensic anthropologists and the medicolegal community
- Ethical responsibilities
Module 2 - Recovery and Lab Procedures
Readings: Byers 4, 6, Human Bone Manual 18
Topics:
- Locating, mapping and securing remains
- Forensic anthropologists' involvement in mass disasters and
human rights cases
- Preparation, reconstruction, and recording of remains
Module 3 - Establishing the Forensic Context
Readings: Byers 3, 5, Human Bone Manual 5
Topics:
- Human vs. nonhuman remains
- Contemporary vs. noncontemporary
- Decomposition and skeletonization
- Postmortem skeletal modification
Module 4 - Human Skeletal Anatomy: skull and teeth
Readings: Byers 2; Human Bone Manual 7 & 8
Topics:
- Identification of the cranial elements and major features
- Identification of the different categories of teeth
In-class activity (10%)
Module 5 - Human Skeletal Anatomy: upper limb & thorax
Readings: Byers 2; Human Bone Manual 9-13
Topics:
- Identification of the bones of the thorax (vertebrae,
sternum, ribs, clavicle and scapula)
- Identification of the bones of the upper limb (humerus,
radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges)
Module 6 - Human Skeletal Anatomy: pelvis & lower limb
Readings: Byers 2; Human Bone Manual 14-16
Topics:
- Identification of the bones of the pelvis (sacrum, coccyx
and os coxae)
- Identification of the bones of the lower limb (femur,
tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges)
In-class activity (10%)
Midterm test (20%)
Module 7 - Methods of Forensic Identification: Sex Estimation
Readings: Byers 8; Human Bone Manual 19 p. 385-387
Topics:
- Methods used to estimate sex (pelvis, skull,
miscellaneous)
Module 8 - Methods of Forensic Identification: Age Estimation
Readings: Byers 9; Human Bone Manual 19 p. 363-384
Topics:
- Methods used to estimate age at death for subadults
(skeletal vs. dental)
- Methods used to estimate age at death for adults
Module 9 - Methods of Forensic Identification: Population Affiliation
Readings: Byers 7, Human Bone Manual 19 p. 400-404
Topics:
- Methods used to estimate population affiliation
(anthroposcopic vs. metric)
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Module 10 - Methods of Forensic Identification: Aspects of
Individualization
Readings: Byers 15, 17, Human Bone Manual 17
Topics:
- Skeletal pathology
- Dental pathology
- Skeletal anomalies
- Indicators of habitual activity
Module 11 - Methods of Forensic Identification: Death & Trauma
Readings: Byers 11-14
Topics:
- Cause and manner of death
- Forces causing trauma
- Projectile trauma
- Blunt force trauma
Sharp force and miscellaneous trauma
Presentations (15%)
Research Project due (25%)
Module 12 - Biological Profile
Readings: Byers 18
Topics:
- Positive vs. probable identification
- Reaching conclusions based on demographic information about
the human skeleton
Presentations (continue) (15%)
Final Test (20%)
Academic Honesty
The principle of academic honesty requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original,
unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on
work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the faculty member, or otherwise submitting work that is not
the student's own violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Instances of academic dishonesty, including
assisting another student to cheat, will be penalized as detailed in the Student Handbook.
Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic
honesty are advised to discuss them with the faculty member prior to submitting the assignment in question.
Discrimination and Harassment
Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that respects the dignity, self esteem and fair treatment
of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will
not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination are available in the Student Handbook.
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