Bone or Stone? Human or Animal?

Distinguishing human from non-human bones is a difficult task.  Whenever possible, this task should be left to a forensic anthropologist who has professional training in human osteology, which is the detailed study of bone structure, skeletal elements, teeth, the morphology of the microbones, the function, the disease, the pathology, the ossification process, and the resistance and hardness of the bones.  That said, it is also important for crime scene investigators and other forensic specialists to be able to recognize and differentiate between human and non-human bones at a scene, saving time, money and resources.  For example, according to forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Bass (1995), 25-30% of all cases of bones submitted for identification and forensic analysis are non-human.  These resources could have been used for other purposes.

Attendees of this 2-hour webinar should understand what to do if they find possible human bones at a scene.

 Topics include:

 • Is the suspicious material bone?

 • If it is bone, is it human or non-human?

 • How do we differentiate human bones from those of fauna?

 • If it is human, how do we decide if it is contemporary or not contemporary?

 • Forensic taphonomy

This course is appropriate for anyone who wants to educate themselves on the subject, crime scene personnel and law enforcement, and is considered at a basic level. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the training. Likewise, you will have access to the material in PDF and you will receive a certificate of participation that you can include in your resume or curriculum vitae.