YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

Investigating Officer(s): Det. S. Murphy. Det. T. Armstrong

Incident No.: 000152-19A-2006

Case Description: Unidentified remains possible homicide

The State Forensic Anthropologist, Dr. Niles Raymond was summoned from Jackson for an initial analysis. In the opinion of Dr Raymond, based on the condition of the remains and the burial conditions, the body has been interred for between 4 and 5 years. Examination of clothing and other evidence will be used to further estimate time of burial.

Physical Characteristics

Sex

• Cranium
  A scoring system of 1-5 (1=more femine/gracile; 5=more masculine) was applied to 5 cranial features: the nuchal crest; the mastoid process; the supra-orbital margin; the supra-orbital ridge/glabella; the mental eminence. An average score of 4.2 was calculated, consistent with a male skeleton.
• Pelvis
  The pelvis had a narrow sciatic arch and other characteristics (size and robustness) consistent with a male.

Age

• Dentition
  All permanent teeth were present, suggesting an age of at least 18 years. Attrition was not significant on the second molars, consistent with the young adult age class (20-35 years). The third molars (wisdom teeth) have been extracted.
• Pubic Symphysis
  The symphyseal surface is grooved and ridged with little erosion consistent with an age of 20-25.

Estimation of Ancestry

Observation of several cranial characteristics [(zygomatics (cheek bones), palate, sutures, nasal profile, dentition, etc.)], the skull was Causasoid in nature.

Estimation of Stature

Using the previous assumptions of age, sex and ancestry, the length of the long bones (femur, radius, ulna, humerus, and fibula) were measured and a set of calculations were used to determine height:

• Humerus = 36.48cm; estimated height = 182.81cm +/- 4.05cm
• Radius = 27.62cm; estimated height = 183.41cm +/- 4.32cm
• Ulna = 28.76cm; estimated height = 180.46cm +/- 4.32cm
• Femur = 51.89cm; estimated height = 184.91cm +/- 3.27cm
• Fibula = 41.73cm; estimated height = 183.61cm +/- 3.29cm

Using the lowest and highest estimates including standard deviations (180.46cm – 4.32cm to 184.91cm + 3.27cm), the estimated height range is: 176.14cm – 188.18cm or 5 foot 9 inches - 6 foot 2 inches.

Conclusion:

The skeleton is that of an 18-30yr. Caucasoid male, 5’9” – 6’2” tall.