Comparative Bone Identification

Human Subadult and Nonhuman - A Field Guide

Diane L. France

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN: 9781000419016
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Forensic Science
• Index: Social Sciences

Building on the success, and maintaining the format, of Comparative Bone Identification: Human Subadult and Non-Human (ISBN: 9780367777883), Comparative Bone Identification: Human Subadult and Non-Human – A Field Guide presents new images of human bones representing many states of maturation from neonate to 20 years old in comparison to a variety of animal species' bones.

Highly illustrated, the book takes a visual approach and provides full annotations pointing out salient features of the most commonly discovered bones. This includes smaller bones of fetuses and subadult humans in comparison to bones of birds, reptiles, marine mammals, fish, and a frog that human bones may most be confused with. Full-color photos provide clear examples for use by law enforcement, medicolegal death investigators, forensic anthropologists, students, and readers who wish to distinguish between human bones and those of a variety of animal species.

The book is not intended to be an exhaustive guide to human and nonhuman skeletons. It offers myriad photos and illustrations to help aid in identification and avoid some of the more commonly confused animal bones for human. The book begins with an introduction section on general osteology and explains the major anatomical differences between humans and other animals. The second section compares human and nonhuman bones, categorized by type of bone, and includes most of the major bones in humans and nonhumans. The third section presents of radiographs illustrated documented age in humans.

Conveniently designed for field use, Comparative Bone Identification: Human Subadult to Nonhuman – A Field Guide offers users a practical comparative guide that presents the differences among species for nearly all bones in the body. The book serves as a valuable resource of easy-to-access information to investigators and forensic anthropologists for use in the laboratory or in the field.

I Introduction

Figure 1 Human skeleton.

Figure 2 Dog skeleton.

Figure 3 Bird skeleton.

Figure 4 Crocodile skeleton.

Figure 5 Porpoise skeleton.

Figure 6 Frog skeleton.

Figure 7 Fish skull.

Figure 8 Planes of the body.

ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY

• Anatomical Position: body with arms by side, palms forward
• Anterior: in front (similar to ventral)
• Appendicular: the skeleton of the limbs
• Axial: the skeleton of the head and trunk
• Caudal: toward the tail
• Coronal plane: parallel to the coronal suture
• Cranial: toward the head
• Distal: away from trunk of body along a limb
• Dorsal: in back (similar to posterior)
• External: outside of
• Inferior: lower
• Internal: inside of
• Lateral: perpendicularly away from midsagittal plane
• Longitudinal: coursing or placed lengthwise
• Medial: perpendicularly toward the midsagittal plane
• Posterior: behind, to the back (similar to dorsal)
• Pronation: rotation of the hand and forearm so that the palm faces dorsally or toward the body
• Proximal: toward the trunk of the body along a limb
• Sagittal Section: any section of the body parallel to the sagittal suture of the cranium
• Superficial: near the surface
• Superior: above, top
• Supination: turning the palm of the hand anteriorly
• Transverse: any crosswise section
• Ventral: in front (similar to anterior)
• Vertex: top, highest point
• In mouth:
• Buccal: toward the cheek
• Distal: at greatest distance from the anterior midline of the mouth
• Labial: toward the lips
• Lingual: toward the tongue
• Mesial: toward the anterior midline of the mouth
• Occlusal: the chewing surface of the teeth

FEATURES OF BONE

Feature (plural):	Definition:
Cavity (cavities):	an open area
Condyle (condyles):	rounded process at the point of articulation with another bone
Crest (crests):	a projecting ridge
Diaphysis (diaphyses):	the shaft of bone
Epiphysis (epiphyses):	a process of bone initially attached to another piece of bone by cartilage, and usually later consolidated with it by bone
Fontanelle (fontanelles):	membranous space between cranial bones in fetal life and infancy
Foramen (foramina):	a hole or opening
Fossa (fossae):	a pit, depression, or cavity
Meatus (meatuses):	a canal
Process (processes):	any outgrowth or prominence of bone
Sinus (sinuses):	bone cavity lined with mucus membrane
Suture (sutures):	areas of articulation between cranial bones
Torus (tori):	an elevation or prominence
Tubercle (tubercles):	a small, knob-like projection on bone
Tuberosity (tuberosities)	a large, rough eminence or projection on bone

Introduction

Form follows function. The morphology of skeletal elements may give important clues about how those elements were used in the animal’s life.

The sentences above describe what is arguably the most important point when differentiating between human and nonhuman bones. A skeleton that has evolved for flying will be lightweight while an animal that grazes will have heavier, more solid bones. Fish bones are often complex and translucent, while those reptiles that continue to grow long into adulthood have secondary gr...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Part I Introduction
• Part II Major Bones of the Body of Different Animals
• Part III Radiographs
• References
• Index