...Forensic Anthropology lecture On Friday the 23rd I attended the forensic anthropology lecture and they discussed a lot of interesting information. They discussed how the “Bones” and “NCIS” shows used methods that were not approved yet or way to expensive. The research forensic anthropologists do is mostly done in a lab and not outside in crime scenes. There are 10 questions that they follow, and each question has its own unique way of finding the answer. Forensic anthropologists don’t say what caused the death, well they find out and observe what happened to an individual, but at the end they are not the ones who “certify” the cause of death. The anthropologists can easily tell what bones are human and which ones are not. A thing I learned is that in California there are a lot of Native American bones that are not of a forensic value as well as the medical specimens. The Native American bones have to stay where they were at and they have an act known as NAGPRA. The anthropologists observe what kind of knifes or saws they use when there is an amputation which I find really scary. Also they have to find out how dead an individual has been and there are many ways to find that out, for example algor mortis is the temperature and rigor mortis is the position they died in, these ways can tell you how long a person has been dead. The age determination has also many ways to find out through the teeth and the cranial structure. The anthropologists also receive “trophy skulls” which...
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...Galloway A. 1988. “Estimating actual height in the older individual.” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 43: p 126-136. In this article Galloway brings up the point that the widely used formulas used to estimate stature need to be adjusted to account for the effects of age, as is well accepted and known that as humans get into their older years, they begin to lose stature. The current formula, relying on long bones, was created by Totter and Gleser and estimated that after 45 years, individuals lose about 1.6mm a year. Galloway recognizes that this formula is dated, and that people have begun to grow taller in recent years due to a more nutritional diet. She embarks in a study to see if the rates have changed. The study takes place in Arizona with 550 Caucasian individuals, with ages ranging from 50 – 92. The study found that height loss depends on a number of factors, and knowing the age is a key component. The study also found that stature loss over time is the same between females and males, however there is noticeable loss between differences height, in which the taller population loses a higher percentage of their height. They also found that bone mineral content correlates significantly with percentage of height loss, those with lower bone mineral status tend to lose more height. When reporting height, forensic anthropologists should always remember to include maximum height, as well as age adjusted height. Having both the heights can greatly help because recognition of...
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...Film Discussion #1 Applied and Academic Anthropology are similar in terms of who, what, where, when, and why. Although Anthropologists have the ability to work in both facets simultaneously, there is a clear-cut differentiation between these two dimensions. Applied is thought to be the specialty of comprehending a societies problems and creating a smooth transition away from such issues, where as academic includes emphasis on the idea of Anthropology and the practical study of the subject. Blended together, transforming the environment around them can be handled through expression of speech and locution. Barack Obama has been an inspiration in his richness of enculturation. Mr Obama's mother, Ann Dunham is a caucasian woman and his father, Barack Obama Sr. was a man of color particularly from Kenya. Interestingly enough his mother was an anthropologist who concentrated her life on the diversification of humans.Ann Dunham is considered an applied anthropologist in this instance. Obama's ancestry, upbringing through social norms, and interrelationships identify him as a symbol attributed to these factors....
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...Forensic Anthropology Research Paper There is a common expression in the detective stories that “Dead men tell no tales.” This is not true. A forensic anthropologist uncovers the mysteries of the dead. The forensic anthropologist has many jobs. “They collect human remains, prepare and analyze bones, identify trauma, work to match dental records, and they may be called to testify in court” (Steinberg 1). The forensic anthropologist becomes involved when there are “mass disasters where many people are killed in a very short period of time, such as an airplane wreck, riot, or flood” (1). They are also involved in “political atrocities, which are those situations in which a government eliminates a segment of its civilian population” (1)....
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...Does Race Exist? * Posted 02.15.00 * NOVA The concept of race is one of the most intellectually and emotionally charged subjects, not only in society but in science as well. NOVA Online asked two leading anthropologists, Dr. Loring Brace of the University of Michigan and Dr. George Gill of the University of Wyoming, who fall on either side of the debate about whether race exists in biologic terms, to state their points of view. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, we think you will find their arguments well-reasoned and thought-provoking. Loring Brace and George Gill come down on different sides of the question Does race exist biologically? Read their viewpoints here. EnlargePhoto credit: © andipantz/iStockphoto AN ANTAGONIST'S PERSPECTIVE by C. Loring Brace I am going to start this essay with what may seem to many as an outrageous assertion: There is no such thing as a biological entity that warrants the term "race." The immediate reaction of most literate people is that this is obviously nonsense. The physician will retort, "What do you mean 'there is no such thing as race'? I see it in my practice everyday!" Jane Doe and John Roe will be equally incredulous. Note carefully, however, that my opening declaration did not claim that "there is no such thing as race." What I said is that there is no "biological entity that warrants the term 'race'." "You're splitting hairs," the reader may retort. "Stop playing verbal games and tell us what you really mean...
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...a species undergoes genetic change over time. Over many generations a species can evolve into something different. These changes take place because of changes in DNA, which originated as mutations. Not all species evolve at the same rate. The theory of evolution does not prove that species will constantly evolve or how fast the species will change when it does (Park, 2008). 2) Discuss what evolution is in terms of physical anthropology. Evolution refers to "change over time". In terms of physical anthropology, evolution is changes over time in living organisms. This means that living things have passed their traits from one generation to the next. There are very little changes that occur with each generation, but over time these changes accumulate in each living organism. It is believed that all life on Earth has common ancestry that lived more than 3.5 billions of years ago (Park, 2008). Discuss how physical anthropologists examine/investigate evolution Paleoanthropology is a branch of paleontology that falls under physical anthropology. Paleoanthropologists study extinct primates and fossils. They use these examinations to further investigate the evolution of humans. They examine ancient humans, like the anthropoids. Anthropoids are considered humans closest relative and have been linked to human evolution (Coyne, 2009). 3) Find at least one outside source related to your answer for Question 2 (e.g. the genome project for DNA). Conduct original research,...
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...Becoming a Coroner or an Anthropologist demands at least a bachelor’s degree and higher. Specifically, a Coroner career path requires an individual to have a bachelor’s degree in either criminology, anatomy, medicine, forensic science, experimental pathology, pathology, physiology, or pre-medicine. The position of medical examiner requires medical school training and becoming a licensed physician. The amount of time it would take to attain the necessary requirements to fulfill the job would be 8 or more years of schooling. On the other hand, the route to become an Anthropologist entails at least a master’s and doctorate degree in anthropology. Additionally, it calls for a strong background in communication and statistics. Although, being an Anthropologist only takes six to eight years of education to complete the essential requirements. Salaries differ for every career. Salaries even change based on your location, the need for that career, and how educated you are. The starting salary of a Coroner is $70,000 per year. The salary can vary depending on what state and or country the job is held in. An Anthropologist salary has a starting rate of $60,000 per...
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...focuses on humans as biological organisms they particularly emphasize tracing the evolutionary development of the human animal and studying biological variation within the species today. * Cultural anthropologist- study humans in terms of culture, the often unconscious standards by which social groups operate. * Linguistic anthropologist- study human languages and may deal with the description of a language with the history of languages or how languages are used in particular social settings. * Archaeologist- study human culture through the recovery and analysis of material remains and environmental data. (pgs 5-13, 26) 2. Applied anthropology entails the use of anthropological knowledge and methods to solve practical problems. An example of applied physical anthropology is forensics. An example of applied linguistic anthropology is language preservation. (pg 5,26) 3. Sickle cell anemia is an adaptation to life in the regions in which malaria is common. The sickle cell trait plays a beneficial role but in other parts of the world the sickling trait is no longer advantageous, while the associated sickle cell anemia remains injurious. Sickle cell anemia favored heterozygous individuals with normal and sickling hemoglobin. The mutation that causes hemoglobin to sickle consists of a change in a single base of DNA so it can arises readily by change. The loss of alleles for abnormal hemoglobin caused by the death of those homozygous for sickle cell anemia was balanced out...
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...Q1) As an anthropologist, you find out about the existence of a group of humans in the amazon rainforest that have never been contacted. How would you the four subfields of anthropology to investigate this human community? Ans: The Amazon rainforest also known in English as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle, is a moist broadleaf forest that covers most of the Amazon Basin of South America. This basin encompasses 7,000,000 square kilometres (2,700,000 sq mi), of which 5,500,000 square kilometres (2,100,000 sq mi) are covered by the rainforest. This region includes territory belonging to nine nations. The majority of the forest is contained within Brazil, with 60% of the rainforest, followed by Peru with 13%, Colombia with 10%, and with minor amounts in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. States or departments in four nations contain "Amazonas" in their names. The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests, and comprises the largest and most biodiverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world, with an estimated 390 billion individual trees divided into 16,000 species. Q2) How do anthropologists utilize the scientific method in their studies? What are the limitations of the scientific method in anthropological studies? Ans: The scientific method is described as "a method of investigation involving the observation of phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the truth or...
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...Examining Evolution from Two Subfields in Anthropology ANTH 101 Professor Rosh March 25, 2012 Evolution overall is the change and adaptation of all living things on this planet. In the past this idea was thought to be absurd and still in today’s society some people still don’t believe in the theory of evolution. Thanks to a man named Charles Darwin who was brave and smart enough to publish scientific books on this subject some of our society now accepts the concept and studies it. To think that living species does not change and adapt over time is nonsense. With the study of evolution humankind can learn from its past and better prepare for the future by studying how humankind has developed over the past. Evolution is defined in biology as the idea that all species can change over time and have a common ancestry (Parker, 2008). A physical anthropologist could study primatology in order to study evolution for humankind. Primatology is the study in physical anthropology that began with morphological comparisons of primates to reconstruct the evolution of humans (Rodman, 1999). Studying primatology can help the study of evolution because it is a very good example of basic evolution and primates and human beings have a lot of similar traits and also the primate is the closest living example that is like a human genetically. This source was chosen because it helps break down the meaning and understanding of primatology and provides the basics and in depth terms to...
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...#1 - What are the four fields of anthropology and how do they relate to each other and to history, sociology, political science, philosophy and psychology. The four fields are: Physical Anthropology, Archaeology, Linguistic Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology or Ethnology. Anthropology is the study of humankind which can entail uniqueness, racial division, physical characteristics, geographical division and social relations of his or her environment. Anthropologist tries to discover if there are structural similarities and all four subfields bridge the gap between the knowledge and the human race. Physical anthropology is the human adaptation or alteration comes from this research for example genetics and forensics. Archaeologists seek and examine artifacts whether it is trash, historic or prehistoric. Linguistic anthropology is how language is used and acquired in a social network of humans historically from caveman’s to modern language today. Cultural anthropology or ethnology is the study of progressive culture throughout the world. Political Science relates to anthropology is tremendous as modern research is racial divide, customs and habits of man which has helped us the real background and development of the primitive man or woman. The behavior of man is biased by his racial origin and surroundings in which he or she resides. Sociology is the study of human culture or societal relations which relates to our four subfields of anthropology as sociology is part of scientific...
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...Anthropology – The comparative study of human sciences and cultures. Holistic/Holism – In Anthropology an approach that considers culture, history, language, and biology essential to a complete understanding of human society. Society – A group of people who depend on one another for survival or well-being as well as the relationships among such people, including their status and roles. Culture - The learned behaviors and symbols that allow people to live in groups. The primary means by which humans adapt to their environments. The way of life characteristic of a particular human society. Ethnography – A description of a society or culture. Emic(perspective) – Examining society using concepts, categories, and distinctions that are meaningful to members of that culture. Etic(perspective) – Examining society using concepts, categories, and rules derived from science; an outsider’s perspective, which produces analyses that members of the society being studied may not find meaningful. Ethnology – The attempt to find general principles or laws that govern cultural phenomena. Cultural Anthropology – The study of human thought, meaning, and behavior that is learned rather than genetically transmitted, and that is typical of groups of people. Ethnohistory – Description of the cultural past based on written records, interviews, and archaeology. Linguistic anthropology – A branch of linguistics concerned with understanding language and its relation to culture. Historical linguistics...
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...Race is classification of humans into distinct populations or groups by factors such as heritable phenotypic characteristics or geographic ancestry. This often influenced by and correlated with traits such as appearance, culture, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. In the beginning of last century the term race was often used, in its taxonomic sense, to denote genetically divergent human populations which can be marked by common phenotypic traits. This is still used in our day for forensic anthropology (when analyzing skeletal remains), biomedical research, and race-based medicine as proxy for geographic ancestry with some reliability. In addition it is used in law enforcement to describe the closest picture of wanted suspect. Human classification on the basis of physical traits is difficult because factors such as invasions, migrations, and mass deportations have produced a heterogeneous world population. Nevertheless, by limiting the criteria to such traits as skin pigmentation, colour and form of hair, shape of head, stature, and form of nose, most anthropologists historically agreed on the existence of three relatively distinct groups: the Caucasoid, the Mongoloid, and the Negroid. “Criticism of the idea that there are clearly recognizable racial types does not imply that all human populations are uniform or that population cannot be grouped into larger units that, among themselves, have certain similarities” James C King (1981). The Caucasoid is characterized as pale...
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...Anthropology Unit 1 – online Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present. There are 4 areas of Anthropology- 1. sociocultural - examine social patterns and practices across cultures, with a special interest in how people live in particular places and how they organize, govern, and create meaning 2. , biological/physical - seek to understand how humans adapt to diverse environments, how biological and cultural processes work together to shape growth, development and behavior, and what causes disease and early death 3. archaeology - study past peoples and cultures, from the deepest prehistory to the recent past, through the analysis of material remains, ranging from artifacts and evidence of past environments to architecture and landscapes 4. linguistics- is the comparative study of ways in which language reflects and influences social life Unit 1 – Book Anthropology – the study of humankind in all times and places Colonialism – when one nation dominates another through occupation, admin (military) and control of resource’s. Cultural imperialism – refers to the promotion of one nation’s values, beliefs, and behavior above those of all others. Most famous empiricist – Franz Boas (1858-1942) he rejected racism and saw everyone as equal Radcliffe Brown – focused on how culture worked as a whole to maintain itself Malinowski – paid attention to his key informants’ point of view (groundbreaking methodology) Influences on Canadian Anthro – museums, academic...
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...Anthropology: A Definition Learning Objectives 1 1. Define anthropology as a discipline. 2. Enumerate and define the subdivisions of anthropology. 3. Outline the history of anthropology. 4. Discuss the research methods of anthropological research. 5. Explain the causes of culture shock. 6. Analyze the values of cultural relativism. 7. Identify the uses of cross-cultural comparison. After reading this chapter, you should be able to: iStockphoto/Thinkstock iStockphoto 8. Explain the basic ethical questions of anthropological research. 9. Explain the different concepts used in an anthropological analysis of culture. 10. Explain the difference between humanistic and scientific approaches to culture. Chapter Outline 1.1 The Breadth of Anthropology • • • • • The Four Traditional Subfields Anthropology as Science and Humanity Etic Versus Emic Perspectives The Holistic Perspective Breadth in Time and Space 1.3 Methods of Anthropological Research • • • • Participant Observation The Fieldwork: A Case Study Cross-Cultural Comparison Ethics in Anthropological Research 1.2 The History of Cultural Anthropology • • • • • The Evolutionary Period The Empiricist Period The Functionalist Period The Contemporary Period The Period of Specialization 1.4 Cultural Differences • Culture Shock • Ethnocentrism • Cultural Relativism 1.5 Employment in Anthropology 1 cra80793_01_c01_001-032.indd 1 5/23/13 2:23 PM Section 1.1 The Breadth of Anthropology CHAPTER...
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