Lab: Bag of Bones

As part of a plea deal, a killer has admitted to burying two victims and was made to identify the location of their remains. The killer put the bodies in a cloth bag and then buried them in a shallow grave in the woods. The family of the victims never knew that they were killed by this killer nor did they know where their missing relatives were for 20 years. What is known is that there is a male and female buried at this site.

You are tasked with sorting the skeletons and identifying the male and female bones.

Directions

1. Take the bones out of the bag.

2. Identify which is f​emale and which is male. You will have to compare sizes. There is more information available on the following slides to help you.

3. Reassemble the bones into complete skeletons. There is a guide to help you at your table.

4. Take a picture and upload to this assignment in google classroom. Only one picture per t​able is required.

5. Answer the questions. ​

Male or Female?

When examining a skeleton, forensic archeologists can determine biological sex by examining the pelvic girdle and several other factors:

​1. The female skull is typically rounder and smaller than the male's. The female forehead is longer vertically, and jaw is smaller.

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​2. The female sacrum is wider and shorter than the male's. ​

3. Female pelvic cavity is large and circular. The males cavity tends to be more narrow and heart shaped.

​​4. In a female the coccyx (tail bone) is more moveable than in a male. ​