forensic anthropology in theforensic anthropology in the

Forensic Anthropology in theForensic Anthropology in theForensic Anthropology in the Forensic Anthropology in the Era of Molecular Era of Molecular DatabasingDatabasing

Mark R. Ingraham, M.S.Mark R. Ingraham, M.S.

CCENTER ENTER FFOR HOR HUMANUMAN IIDENTIFICATIONDENTIFICATIONUUNIVERSITY OFNIVERSITY OF NNORTHORTH TTEXASEXASUUNIVERSITY OF NIVERSITY OF NNORTH ORTH TTEXASEXASLLABORATORYABORATORY OF OF

FFORENSIC ORENSIC AANTHROPOLOGYNTHROPOLOGYLLABORATORYABORATORY OFOF

MMOLECULAR OLECULAR IIDENTIFICATIONDENTIFICATION

For information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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orensic Anthropology

Anthropological Analysis and Molecular DatabasesMolecular Databases

Beyond providing investigators withBeyond providing investigators withBeyond providing investigators with Beyond providing investigators with information regarding their case, information regarding their case,

What is the value of What is the value of forensic anthropology within the forensic anthropology within the

t t ft t f l l ll l lcontext of context of molecular analyses molecular analyses and databasesand databasesand databasesand databases………..………..


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????For information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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Potential Matches

Anthropological information Anthropological information p gp gprovided to the investigative provided to the investigative agency may yield potential matchagency may yield potential matchagency may yield potential match agency may yield potential match candidatescandidates

Missing persons submissions help Missing persons submissions help to populate the database even ifto populate the database even ifto populate the database even if to populate the database even if they are excluded as the match they are excluded as the match for the case in question!for the case in question!


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Time and Money…..

Elimination of nonElimination of non--forensic casesforensic cases•• AnimalAnimal•• Historical/ArchaeologicalHistorical/Archaeological•• Historical/ArchaeologicalHistorical/Archaeological

LFA, 2008: 11 casesLFA, 2008: 11 cases

These are cases which no longer: These are cases which no longer: •• contribute to the molecular backlogcontribute to the molecular backlog•• consume investigators time effort andconsume investigators time effort andconsume investigators time, effort, and consume investigators time, effort, and

expenseexpense


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Time and Money…..

Rapid identificationsRapid identifications (given (given pp (g(gappropriate antemortem records)appropriate antemortem records)

•• DentalDentalDentalDental•• RadiographicRadiographic•• Medical appliances / surgical historyMedical appliances / surgical history•• Medical appliances / surgical historyMedical appliances / surgical history

LFA, 2008: 8 casesLFA, 2008: 8 cases

Again, these are cases no longer in the Again, these are cases no longer in the molecular backlogmolecular backlog (meaning your case(meaning your casemolecular backlog molecular backlog (meaning your case (meaning your case is processed sooner……)is processed sooner……)


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Time and Emotion!!!

Anthropological or dentalAnthropological or dentalAnthropological or dental Anthropological or dental identifications allowidentifications allowidentifications allow identifications allow

remains to be returned to a remains to be returned to a waiting family as quickly as waiting family as quickly as

possible!possible!possible!possible!


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Improved Database Searches

•• Use of anthropological data to Use of anthropological data to p gp ghelp DNA analysts filter possible help DNA analysts filter possible database matchesdatabase matchesdatabase matchesdatabase matches

•• Next generation of CODIS will Next generation of CODIS will gginclude sections for metadata, include sections for metadata, including anthropological dataincluding anthropological dataincluding anthropological data including anthropological data and investigative information and investigative information (primarily at the LDIS level)(primarily at the LDIS level)


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Supporting DNA Matches

Anthropological and/or dental Anthropological and/or dental p gp gidentifications to confirm identifications to confirm weak weak

l l i til l i timolecular associations molecular associations Due to:Due to:Due to:Due to:•• degraded samples degraded samples •• Limited reference samplesLimited reference samples•• Reference samples from distantReference samples from distantReference samples from distant Reference samples from distant

relativesrelativesFor information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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Submissions w/ Presumptive IDs

Anthropological Exclusions:Anthropological Exclusions:p gp gAllow agencies (missing persons and Allow agencies (missing persons and unidentified remains) to refocus theirunidentified remains) to refocus theirunidentified remains) to refocus their unidentified remains) to refocus their investigations to uncover potential investigations to uncover potential matchesmatches

Excluded potential matches still haveExcluded potential matches still haveExcluded potential matches still have Excluded potential matches still have value value –– Those missing persons Those missing persons samples are now in the database!samples are now in the database!samples are now in the database!samples are now in the database!


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Exclusions, cont.

Reduces pressure on the molecular Reduces pressure on the molecular educes p essu e o t e o ecu aeduces p essu e o t e o ecu alaboratories to expedite cases with laboratories to expedite cases with ‘presumptive matches’‘presumptive matches’presumptive matchespresumptive matches

Pressure from:Pressure from:Pressure from:Pressure from:•• Family of the missing personFamily of the missing person•• Submitting agenciesSubmitting agencies•• Molecular analysts themselvesMolecular analysts themselves•• Molecular analysts themselvesMolecular analysts themselves


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IdentificationsIdentificationsIdentificationsIdentifications


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Identifications

The ultimate goal! Investigations can The ultimate goal! Investigations can f ll b i th id tit f thf ll b i th id tit f thfully begin once the identity of the fully begin once the identity of the victim has been establishedvictim has been established

Skeletal Identifications:Skeletal Identifications:DentalDental•• DentalDental

•• Skeletal Radiographic ID Skeletal Radiographic ID (X(X ray CT MRI)ray CT MRI)(X(X--ray, CT, MRI)ray, CT, MRI)

•• Surgical appliances & historySurgical appliances & historyDNADNA•• DNADNA


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Dental Identifications

Dental identifications areDental identifications areDental identifications are Dental identifications are possible in cases without possible in cases without pprestorative dental work or restorative dental work or

ith t t th!ith t t th!even without teeth! even without teeth!

(given antemortem radiographs (given antemortem radiographs ith ffi i t d t il)ith ffi i t d t il)with sufficient detail)with sufficient detail)


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Dental RadiographsDigital dental radiographs for all cases at Digital dental radiographs for all cases at the Laboratory of Forensic Anthropologythe Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology


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Orthopedic Surgeries

Pre & post surgical radiographsPre & post surgical radiographsPre & post surgical radiographsPre & post surgical radiographsSerial numbers on major Serial numbers on major jj

appliancesappliances••May be recorded in surgeons May be recorded in surgeons notesnotesnotesnotes

••May be maintained in May be maintained in manufactures databasemanufactures database


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UNT Center for H

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Radiographic Identification

Comparisons based on:Comparisons based on:Comparisons based on:Comparisons based on:•• Individual morphologyIndividual morphology•• Antemortem traumaAntemortem trauma•• Antemortem pathologyAntemortem pathologyAntemortem pathologyAntemortem pathology•• Surgical appliancesSurgical appliances


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UNT Center for H

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Remember, not all imaging is flat plate XRemember, not all imaging is flat plate X--ray!ray!For information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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Case StudiesCase StudiesCase StudiesCase Studies


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Angelina County, TX

AnthropologicalAnthropologicalAnthropological Anthropological IdentificationIdentificationIdentificationIdentification

In lieu of a Molecular IDIn lieu of a Molecular ID


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Case BackgroundRemains discovered October 14, 2005 Remains discovered October 14, 2005

in Angelina County (east Texas)in Angelina County (east Texas)Received at the Laboratory ofReceived at the Laboratory ofReceived at the Laboratory of Received at the Laboratory of

Forensic Anthropology on October Forensic Anthropology on October 1717thth f th M di l E if th M di l E i1717th th from the Medical Examinerfrom the Medical Examiner

NearlyNearly skeletonizedskeletonizedNearly Nearly skeletonizedskeletonizedPresumed to be the remains of Amos Presumed to be the remains of Amos

H LKA S b 9 2005H LKA S b 9 2005Harmon, LKA September 9, 2005Harmon, LKA September 9, 2005


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UNT Center for H

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Amos Harmon

Male, African American, Male, African American, 73 yrs old, 6’2”73 yrs old, 6’2”

Last seen 9/23/2005Last seen 9/23/2005Evacuating Hurricane RitaEvacuating Hurricane Rita

Driving north separatedDriving north separatedDriving north, separated Driving north, separated from his daughter in the from his daughter in the middle of the nightmiddle of the nightgg

Vehicle discovered empty Vehicle discovered empty in Angelina Countyin Angelina Countyin Angelina Countyin Angelina County


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Anthropological Findings

•• Sex: maleSex: male•• Ancestry: African (“African American”, Ancestry: African (“African American”,

“black”, or other cultural identifier)“black”, or other cultural identifier)•• Skeletal Age: 60+Skeletal Age: 60+•• Stature: 69Stature: 69--75 inches75 inchesStature: 69Stature: 69 75 inches75 inches•• Partial Partial sacralizationsacralization of L5of L5--S1S1

A t t f t f i ht ib #8A t t f t f i ht ib #8•• Antemortem fracture of right rib #8Antemortem fracture of right rib #8•• Generalized advanced osteoarthritisGeneralized advanced osteoarthritis


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Anthropological Findings, cont.

•• Biological profile consistent with Biological profile consistent with Amos HarmonAmos Harmon

•• Complete dentureComplete denture –– no identificationno identificationComplete denture Complete denture no identification no identification (as required) and no dental records(as required) and no dental recordsI iti l i bilit t iti l id tifI iti l i bilit t iti l id tif•• Initial inability to positively identifyInitial inability to positively identify

•• Recommend sampling for the Missing Recommend sampling for the Missing p g gp g gPersons DNA Database and the Persons DNA Database and the collection of family reference samplescollection of family reference samplescollection of family reference samplescollection of family reference samples


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Amos Harmon Identification

Family reported Family reported –– “no X“no X--rays”rays”y py p yyFurther requests revealed CT studies Further requests revealed CT studies

of skull, pelvis, and lumbar spineof skull, pelvis, and lumbar spineof skull, pelvis, and lumbar spineof skull, pelvis, and lumbar spinePositive radiographic ID of Amos Positive radiographic ID of Amos

Harmon on 10/31/2005 remainsHarmon on 10/31/2005 remainsHarmon on 10/31/2005, remains Harmon on 10/31/2005, remains returned to family immediatelyreturned to family immediately

Receipt of remains to Identification: Receipt of remains to Identification: pp14 days14 days


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Denture not marked, no dental records availableDenture not marked, no dental records available


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Bay City, TX

Unidentified RemainsUnidentified Remains

Possible/Presumed IdentificationPossible/Presumed IdentificationPossible/Presumed IdentificationPossible/Presumed IdentificationTrauma AnalysisTrauma Analysis


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Case Background

Bay City, TXBay City, TXy y,y y,Christopher Christopher Montalvo 32Montalvo 32Montalvo, 32, Montalvo, 32, reported missing reported missing by his mother in by his mother in January, 2002. January, 2002. Skeletal remains Skeletal remains recovered Feb. recovered Feb. 19, 2004, in a 19, 2004, in a drainage canaldrainage canaldrainage canal drainage canal


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Case Background

•• Remains transported to theRemains transported to theRemains transported to the Remains transported to the Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology by the investigating agencyby the investigating agencyby the investigating agencyby the investigating agency

•• Possible identification of the remains Possible identification of the remains proposed by the investigating agencyproposed by the investigating agency

•• No antemortem dental records,No antemortem dental records,No antemortem dental records, No antemortem dental records, medical records, or radiographs were medical records, or radiographs were available for comparisonavailable for comparisonavailable for comparisonavailable for comparison


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Biological ProfileBiological ProfileS M lS M lSex: MaleSex: MaleAncestry: Ancestry: yy

MestizoMestizo (identified as “Mexican”, “Hispanic”, (identified as “Mexican”, “Hispanic”, “Latino”, or other cultural descriptor)“Latino”, or other cultural descriptor)

Skeletal Age: Skeletal Age: 3030--40 years40 years3030 40 years40 years

Stature and Physique: Stature and Physique: 6464 67 inches average to good muscular67 inches average to good muscular6464--67 inches, average to good muscular 67 inches, average to good muscular developmentdevelopment


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Postmortem Interval:Postmortem Interval:6 months 6 months –– 2years based on the 2years based on the

condition of remains and the knowncondition of remains and the knowncondition of remains and the known condition of remains and the known characteristics of the environmentcharacteristics of the environment

Antemortem trauma / unique Antemortem trauma / unique identifiers:identifiers:identifiers:identifiers:None noted (partial remains)None noted (partial remains)


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Anthropological FindingsPerimortem Trauma Perimortem Trauma Two cranial gunshot injuriesTwo cranial gunshot injuriesTwo cranial gunshot injuriesTwo cranial gunshot injuries

Entry: right parietalEntry: right parietalE it l ft t l/ h idE it l ft t l/ h idExit: left temporal/sphenoidExit: left temporal/sphenoidTrajectory: back to front, right to left, slightly Trajectory: back to front, right to left, slightly

downwarddownwarddownwarddownward

Entry: left temporal/sphenoidEntry: left temporal/sphenoidExit: right temporalExit: right temporal squamosasquamosaExit: right temporal Exit: right temporal squamosasquamosaTrajectory: left to right, horizontalTrajectory: left to right, horizontal

Consistent with a small caliber weapon (likely 22Consistent with a small caliber weapon (likely 22Consistent with a small caliber weapon (likely 22 Consistent with a small caliber weapon (likely 22 or 25 cal.)or 25 cal.)


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Projectile TrajectoriesProjectile Trajectories


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Anthropological Conclusions

1.1. Biological profile is consistent with Biological profile is consistent with the proposed victimthe proposed victim

22 No antemortem recordsNo antemortem records -- PositivePositive2.2. No antemortem records No antemortem records Positive Positive identification to be made using DNA identification to be made using DNA at the DNA Identification Laboratoryat the DNA Identification Laboratoryat the DNA Identification Laboratoryat the DNA Identification Laboratory

3.3. Cause of Death: Gunshot injury of Cause of Death: Gunshot injury of the craniumthe cranium

44 Manner of Death: HomicideManner of Death: Homicide4.4. Manner of Death: HomicideManner of Death: Homicide


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Submission to Laboratory for Molecular IdentificationMolecular Identification

Subsequent match with maternal family Subsequent match with maternal family reference samplereference samplereference samplereference sample


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Case Outcome

Suspect arrested and indicted on first Suspect arrested and indicted on first d d hd d hdegree murder charges degree murder charges

Weapon recovered: .25 caliber handgunWeapon recovered: .25 caliber handgunCourt testimony by the Laboratory for Court testimony by the Laboratory for

Molecular Identification regarding the DNA Molecular Identification regarding the DNA g gg gIdentificationIdentification

Court testimony by the Laboratory ofCourt testimony by the Laboratory ofCourt testimony by the Laboratory of Court testimony by the Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology regarding the Forensic Anthropology regarding the biological profile and the ballistic trauma tobiological profile and the ballistic trauma tobiological profile and the ballistic trauma to biological profile and the ballistic trauma to the craniumthe cranium


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Case Outcome

Conviction of SuspectConviction of SuspectSentenced to: life in prison for the Sentenced to: life in prison for the

murder charge 10 years formurder charge 10 years formurder charge, 10 years for murder charge, 10 years for tampering with evidence, and tampering with evidence, and revocation of deferred adjudication inrevocation of deferred adjudication inrevocation of deferred adjudication in revocation of deferred adjudication in a previous offense (aggravated a previous offense (aggravated robbery)robbery)

Earliest opportunity for parole: 70 yearsEarliest opportunity for parole: 70 yearsEarliest opportunity for parole: 70 yearsEarliest opportunity for parole: 70 years


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Hood County, TX

Unidentified RemainsUnidentified Remains

InterInter agency Identificationagency IdentificationInterInter--agency Identificationagency IdentificationA True “Cold Hit”A True “Cold Hit”A True Cold HitA True Cold Hit


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Hood County TXHood County TXHood County, TXHood County, TX

Remains discovered Remains discovered December 31, 2004December 31, 2004


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Anthropological Analysis

Remains examined, 2005Remains examined, 2005•• 1111--14 yrs old, African ancestry, 14 yrs old, African ancestry,

probableprobable female (age related finding)female (age related finding)probableprobable female (age related finding)female (age related finding)•• No obvious traumaNo obvious trauma•• No potential match provided by the No potential match provided by the

submitting agencysubmitting agencyg g yg g y•• Samples submitted and uploaded to Samples submitted and uploaded to

the Missing Person DNA Databasethe Missing Person DNA Databasethe Missing Person DNA Databasethe Missing Person DNA Database


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Missing Person

Cory WhiteCory White

11 yrs, last seen in Dallas October, 200211 yrs, last seen in Dallas October, 2002For information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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Missing Person

Family reference samples received by Family reference samples received by the Laboratory for Molecular the Laboratory for Molecular Identification in November 2006 from Identification in November 2006 from the Dallas Police Departmentthe Dallas Police Department

Proposed match with an unidentifiedProposed match with an unidentifiedProposed match with an unidentified Proposed match with an unidentified remains case recovered in Lubbock, remains case recovered in Lubbock, TXTXTXTX

FRS did not match the proposedFRS did not match the proposedFRS did not match the proposed FRS did not match the proposed remains, BUT………..remains, BUT………..


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DNA Database Match

Potential CODIS match between Hood Potential CODIS match between Hood County remains and a child missing County remains and a child missing from Dallas since 2002from Dallas since 2002from Dallas since 2002from Dallas since 2002

Statistically weak match based on the Statistically weak match based on the f il f l b itt df il f l b itt dfamily reference sample submittedfamily reference sample submitted

Additional family reference samples Additional family reference samples y py prequested, AND………requested, AND………


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Dental Confirmation of DNA AnalysisAnalysis

Antemortem dental records available Antemortem dental records available through Dallas Police Departmentthrough Dallas Police Departmentthrough Dallas Police Departmentthrough Dallas Police Department

Hood County remains identified as those Hood County remains identified as those yyof Cory of Cory White by the forensic odontologistWhite by the forensic odontologist


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Case SubmissionCase Submission


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What your forensic anthropologist would like to see…….would like to see…….

•• Complete remains recovered (if your Complete remains recovered (if your p ( yp ( yagency retains a reference sample, agency retains a reference sample, please indicate that)please indicate that)please indicate that)please indicate that)

•• Copies of investigative reports (MEI, Copies of investigative reports (MEI, Police Sheriff etc ) including scenePolice Sheriff etc ) including scenePolice, Sheriff, etc.) including scene Police, Sheriff, etc.) including scene descriptionsdescriptions

•• Copies of scene photographsCopies of scene photographs•• Copy of Medical Examiner’s reportCopy of Medical Examiner’s reportCopy o ed ca a e s epo tCopy o ed ca a e s epo t


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What your CODIS analyst would like to see…….like to see…….

For skeletal unidentified remains casesFor skeletal unidentified remains cases•• Intact bone if possible (i.e. intact femur)Intact bone if possible (i.e. intact femur)•• 2 samples (2 bones bone and2 samples (2 bones bone and•• 2 samples (2 bones, bone and 2 samples (2 bones, bone and

unrestored tooth, etc.)unrestored tooth, etc.)•• Copies of investigative reports (MEI, Copies of investigative reports (MEI,

Police, Sheriff, etc.) Police, Sheriff, etc.) •• Medical Examiner’s reportMedical Examiner’s report•• Forensic anthropologist’s reportForensic anthropologist’s report•• Forensic anthropologist s reportForensic anthropologist s report


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Confidentiality

Submitted reports, documents, and Submitted reports, documents, and photographs are confidential documents andphotographs are confidential documents andphotographs are confidential documents and photographs are confidential documents and are not released to any agencyare not released to any agency

Verbal communication limited to the submittingVerbal communication limited to the submittingVerbal communication limited to the submitting Verbal communication limited to the submitting agencyagency

Forensic anthropology reports are only issuedForensic anthropology reports are only issuedForensic anthropology reports are only issued Forensic anthropology reports are only issued to: to:

11 The submitting agencyThe submitting agency1.1. The submitting agencyThe submitting agency2.2. Center for Human Identification’s Center for Human Identification’s

Laboratory for Molecular Identification withLaboratory for Molecular Identification withLaboratory for Molecular Identification with Laboratory for Molecular Identification with the submitting agency’s samplethe submitting agency’s sample


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(800) 279(800) 279--13391339HH. Gill. Gill--King, Ph.D., DKing, Ph.D., D--ABFAABFAHH. Gill. Gill King, Ph.D., DKing, Ph.D., D ABFAABFA

Mark R Ingraham M SMark R Ingraham M SMark R. Ingraham, M.S.Mark R. Ingraham, M.S.


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The Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology The Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology would like to acknowledge the followingwould like to acknowledge the followingwould like to acknowledge the followingwould like to acknowledge the following

National Institute of JusticeNational Institute of JusticeNational Institute of JusticeNational Institute of JusticeUNTHSC Office of Professional and UNTHSC Office of Professional and

Continuing EducationContinuing EducationFor information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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forensic anthropology in theforensic anthropology in the

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