Dr. Brittany E.

Ezer
Forensic Anthropologist
Private Consultant

7000 Macapa Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90068

REPORT OF OSTEOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

CASE NUMBER: 13-002

CONTEXT: This set of remains was discovered on a construction site near Durham, NC. This site was
near a dilapidated mental hospital near a small suburban community. This was a partial skeleton with no
clothing. Items found near the remains included a small pocket knife, a severely weathered military
identification tag, a tarnished metal belt buckle, and a gold wristwatch. There were not any missing persons
reports recently from the area.

DATE OF ANALYSIS OF REMAINS: Skeletal remains were located and recovered 23 March
2013. Remains were in the custody of the medical examiner. The medical examiner has requested an
osteological examination. Examination of the bones was not possible, so analysis of the photos of the remains
was examined. This examination began 12 May 2014 and concluded on 13 May 2014, in Dr. Ezer’s private
laboratories located at 7000 Macapa Drive Los Angeles, CA 90068. Photographs were taken by C. Chambers, C.
Cockman, and NC State Osteology Lab.

CONDITION OF REMAINS: The remains that were recovered included the skull, mandible, both
humerus, both ulna and radius, both innominates, the lower right rib, sacrum, both femur, both tibia and
fibula. The remains were completely skeletonized. The letter “E” is marked on the rib, pelvis, and ulna,
indicating prior examination.

NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS: The remains that are being analyzed make up a partial skeleton of
one individual.

SEX: The remains indicate male. Analysis of the gross morphological characteristics of the pelvis (a narrow
greater sciatic notch, no subpubic concavity, a long and narrow sacrum, a triangular pubic body, and absence
of the preaccular sulcus) and the cranium (predominate browridges, large mastoid process, sloping frontal
profile, and broad chin shape) provide supporting evidence of a male.

AGE: The remains are ones of an adult. The surface of the pubic symphyseal of the Os coxae aligns with the
age range of 40-44 based on the timetable from Meindl et al. (1985). Morphology of the 4th sternal rib end is
consistent with the age range of 40-49 based on the timetable from M. Yasar Isçan (1984, 1985). Additionally,
the auricular surface of the Os coxae align with the age range of 40-44 suggested by Lovejoy et al. (1985).
Maturation of the remains indicates an individual in the early to mid forties.
ANCESTRY: Morphology of the skull (a wide interorbital distance, rounded nasal bridge, wide nasal
opening, small browridges, simple sutures) all align with the key characteristics defining an African individual,
according to Krogman (1962), Brues (1977), and Rhine (1990b).

STATURE: The maximum length of the humerus (293 mm) and maximum length of the fibula (339 mm)
was inserted into the corresponding stature formula for African males. The range provided by the two results
is an individual 5’1 to 5’5 based on formulas developed by Wilson et al. (2010).

Humerus: stature=3.277*hum+65.46 w/se of 5.72 Range of: 5’1 to 5’7

Fibula: stature=2.665*fub+69.39 w/se o f 4.53  Range of: 5’1 to 5’5

DENTITION: This individual has some notable dentition abnormalities. Damage to teeth ten and eleven
is evident with ten being almost completely absent. Additionally, tooth eight is partially overlapping tooth
nine. This individual also has a remaining 3rd molar on the lower right side; tooth 32. There is also evidence
that tooth 17 was extracted. There is also a cavity on the buccal face of tooth 14.

ANTEMORTEM TRAUMA OR PATHOLOGY: There is notable damage to the nasal

bone on the right side of the skull. The right femur also shows evidence of damage and bone regrowth. There
also appears to be some bone regrowth on the right radius and ulna that align, indicating that there was a
fracture of both bones at the same time. The missing tooth and chipped tooth appear to be smooth, indicating
that the damage happened a considerable time before death.

ANOMALIES AND/OR INDIVIDUALIZING TRAITS: The damage to the right femur

has appeared to have caused the femur to bow slightly. This would mean that the individual probably had a
limp. Additionally, the fact that one tooth is completely missing and one is at least chipped would be an
identifying characteristic.

SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS: These remains represent an African male, age 40-44, standing
5’1 to 5’5. This individual had several signs of antemortem trauma. If this individual has medical and dental
records, comparing the entire antemortem trauma could lead to identification.

Dr. Brittany E. Ezer

Forensic Anthropologist
Private Consultant

13 May 2014
REFERENCES:

Brues, A. M. (1977). People and Races. New York: Macmillan.

Isçan, M. Y., Loth, S. R., Wright, R. K. (1984). Age estimation from the rib by phase analysis: White females.
Journal of Forensic Sciences, 29:1094-1104

Isçan, M. Y., Loth, S. R., Wright, R. K. (1985). The measure and mismeasure of the tibia; Implications for stature
estimation. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 30:853-863

Krogman, W. M. (1962). The Human Skeleton in Forensic Medicine. Springfield, IL; Charles C. Thomas.

Lovejoy, C. O., Meindl, R. S., Mensdorth, R., Barton, T. J. (1985). Chronological metamorphosis of the auricular
surface of the illium: A new method for the determination of adult skeletal age at death. American
Journal of Physical Anthropology, 68:15-28.

Meindl, R. S., Lovejoy, C. O. (1985). Ectocranial suture closure: A revised method for the determination of
skeletal age at death based on the lateral-anterior sutures. American Journal of Physical Anthropology,
68:57-66

Rhine, S. Curran, B. K. (1990). Multiple gunshot wounds of the head; An anthropological view. Journal of
Forensic Sciences, 35:1236-1245

Wilson, R. J., Jantz, L. M. (2010). Evaluation of stature estimation using the Database for Forensic
Anthropology. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55(3):684-694