Comparative osteology
Subtitle: a laboratory and field guide of common North American animals
By: Bradley Adams, Pam Crabtree
Contributors: Crabtree, Pam J.
Publisher: Academic Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Amsterdam; Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 443
ISBN-13: 9780123884374
Subjects: Bones; Identification; Skeleton
Description: In the forensic context it is quite common for nonhuman bones to be confused with human remains and end up in the medical examiner or coroner system. It is also quite common for skeletal remains (both human and nonhuman) to be discovered in archaeological contexts. While the difference between human and nonhuman bones is often very striking, it can also be quite subtle. Fragmentation only compounds the problem. The ability to differentiate between human and nonhuman bones is dependent on the training of the analyst and the available reference and/or comparative material. Comparative Osteology is a photographic atlas of common North American animal bones designed for use as a laboratory and field guide by the forensic scientist or archaeologist. The intent of the guide is not to be inclusive of all animals, but rather to present some of the most common species which also have the highest likelihood of being potentially confused with human remains.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 429-431) and index.