e.g. & miscellanae

Dear osteology and forensics people who know bones…

If anyone has some time to look at some photos in the next few days, I have a favour to ask…

I need help identifying (or at least confirming my tentative identifications) of post-mortem damage versus life conditions versus immaturity.

I’m working with chimp skeletons and have taken measurements on a  bunch of specimens - end goal being quantifying sexual dimorphism in specific regions, as compared to other chimp populations and/or humans, for evolutionary implications.

A lot of the specimens were damaged (from storage, former display) and some showed obvious injuries (break that healed, bullet wound).

While the pathologies are fascinating (and I would love to quiz you about whether something is a bullet wound or not, and whether that weird bit sticking out is a growth that would have caused issues in life), the primary concern is making sure that the specimens I use for analysis are fully mature….

I have photographs. If anyone could take a look at them and confirm my suspicions or set me straight, I would really (really really really really) appreciate it.

There were many obvious juveniles that I set aside (size, un-fused epiphyses) but there are several that I was uncertain about diagnosing - specifically: Are these bones rough because this is an immature individual, or were they damaged after death.

> > > > > > > > > Link to PHOTOBUCKET ALBUMS with all the pictures!

Like I said - the study is about sexual dimorphism, not the condition or life history of the specimens. I know asking you to make a diagnosis based on photos is iffy - but it’s simply a case of ruling things out or telling me which ones I definitely need to take to an expert (my supervisor when he gets back into the country).

I know bones (in a comparative, evolutionary sense) theoretically, but this is my first hands-on study. And I’ve never really gotten into forensics before (much as I now really want to)! So I could use some advice!

I can’t offer much beyond gratitude, the offer to keep any use any and all of the photographs, and some future favour in return (proof-reading? web design? you name it).

> > > > > > > > > Link to PHOTOBUCKET ALBUMS with all the pictures!