Mary Keefe, Andrew Toro, Taylor Rodriguez

The human skeleton is an intriguing component of forensic anthropology. By closely examining the skeleton, numerous aspects of the human body can be learned (i.e. diet, age, sex, etc.). While this has been depicted in the media, it is often over-simplified and dramatized. Modern crime television shows depict quick examinations and exact identification in terms of age and identity, along with a precise time and cause of death, regardless of the condition the bones or body are found in. Unfortunately, this is not the reality of forensic anthropology. This research has provided a deeper look into the methods used to analyze the skeleton and the importance of the bones themselves. The museum exhibit, located in the Cultural Anthropology Teaching Gallery, encompasses how forensic anthropologists identify human bones from non-human bone and determine the height, age, and sex of an individual. The goal of this display is to educate the general public regarding forensic methods used in crime scene investigations.