Overview

     Skeletal trauma, pathological changes, and dental evidence, combined with other forensic findings and the circumstances of the case, allow investigators to reconstruct the events leading to an individual's demise and determine the cause and manner of death. This information is crucial for criminal investigations, as well as for providing closure and answers to grieving families.

Skeletal Trauma and Fractures:

- Examination of the bones can reveal evidence of blunt force trauma, sharp force injuries, and gunshot wounds.
- The type, location, and pattern of fractures can provide clues about the weapon used, the direction and angle of the impact, and the amount of force applied.
- Fractures to critical areas like the skull, ribs, and long bones are particularly important in determining the cause of death.
- Forensic experts analyze factors like the fracture line, degree of displacement, and associated soft tissue injuries to reconstruct the traumatic event.
- The presence of healing around the edges of a wound indicates the trauma occurred before death, while "perimortem" trauma shows no signs of healing.

Skeletal Indicators of Asphyxiation:

- Injuries like hyoid bone fractures and petechial hemorrhages in the eyes can indicate the victim was deprived of oxygen, whether through manual strangulation, ligature strangulation, or other forms of asphyxiation.
- The specific pattern and location of these injuries can help differentiate between accidental and intentional asphyxiation.
- Forensic experts examine factors like the presence and characteristics of ligature marks, the distribution of petechiae, and the underlying soft tissue damage.

Skeletal Evidence of Disease:

- Certain diseases and conditions can leave characteristic marks on the bones, such as cancer metastases, tuberculosis lesions, and syphilitic changes.
- Analysis of the bone pathology can provide insights into the victim's health status and potentially contribute to the determination of cause of death.
- Patterns of disease across a population can also reveal trends in health and hygiene over time.

Dental Evidence:

- Dental conditions like tooth decay, abscesses, and wear patterns can offer clues about the individual's diet, habits, and overall health.
- Dental evidence can supplement the information gathered from the skeletal remains to build a more complete picture of the person's life and circumstances surrounding their death.