Forensic anthropology 141
8.2.4 The Biological Profile
Having certified that a known number of sets of human remains are at hand,
the forensic anthropologist establishes a biological profile. This is a qualitative
and biometric description of the remains that, ideally, includes, in order, a
diagnosis of sex, ancestry (population membership), skeletal and dental age,
and a description of stature and physique. The biological profile may be com-
plete or partial, tentative or robust, depending upon the developmental status
(i.e., child, adult, etc.), quality, and quantity of the remains and the skill of
the investigator. As the biological profile is constructed, the anthropologist
will typically enumerate any additional features that might be used as unique
identifiers, e.g., old i nju r ies , embedded projec t i les , or t hoped ic appl ia nces , con-
genital or developmental anomalies, genetically determined variations, etc.
Unique identifiers associated with the dentition are best noted and referred
to the forensic odontologist, who will perform the case-related charting and
comparisons with antemortem records of possible matches that may become
available. In the author’s laboratory, standard dental charts and digital bitewing
radiographs are made a permanent part of each case file. In this way, informa-
tion can be transmitted electronically to odontologists around the world for
rapid comparison with suspected matches for unidentified remains.
8.2.4.1 Sex
Typically, sex will be determined first. The most reliable diagnostic features are
t he i n nom i nate bone s (os cox a e) of an adolescent or adult. Depending upon the
completeness of the specimen, sex may also be determined from the cranium,
long bone dimensions, discrete features, general size criteria, and several dis-
criminant function tests that compare bone dimensions to their means within
databases populated by individuals of known sex. It is important to note that
a significant number, approximately 5%, of individuals in most populations
will be androgynous, i.e., will possess an equal number of male and female
skeletal traits^63 (Angel 1985). Natural selection has exaggerated differences
in those aspects of skeletal anatomy most closely related to reproduction.
While male pelvic structure is selected to withstand compression, the female
pelvis must not only tolerate the compressive loading of loco motion, but also
provide the expansibility and protective architecture required by late gesta-
tion and the birthing process. Hence, female pelves display flared ilia, a large
pelvic outlet, a wide subpubic angle (i.e., the arch formed by the two ischial
bones), and sacrum that extends dorsally, increasing the x-sectional area of
the birth canal.^22 Not infrequently, the skull might appear to be of one sex
while the pelvic bones indicate the opposite conclusion. In this case, the pel-
vis is the more reliable predictor of sex. When the sex is judged to be female,
the anthropologist will look for evidence of parity. Passage of the term infant