About this item
Is the victim a male or female?
This lab provides students with experience with the process of epiphyseal union as well as using Vernier caliper. Students will be given a few bones, and then take the role of a forensic anthropologist to determine as much information as possible about the bones to help indentify the individual. Students will become familiar with some of the techniques performed by a forensic anthropologist as well as some of the challenges one may encounter along the way. Framework Science Standards (LS2), (LS3), and (LS4) are all utilized in this lab activity (Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity).
This kit has been aligned with all published National Standards. Pre- and Post-laboratory assessments and vocabulary words all target specific Science and Engineering Practices and common core standards. The teacher guide also contains specific "Did You Know" concepts that link the real world with scientific standards explored. A student copymaster is also included. This kit includes enough materials to be used repeatedly.
This lab activity booklet can be used with any of the following bone sets or bone sets that you may already have in your classroom
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- Caucasian male - The bones that have been sent with this kit were cast from a 25 year old, Caucasian male who stood between 5'0" and 5'9" tall.
African female - A 30+ year old, African female who stood between 5'0" and 5'8" tall. This bone set includes a tibia instead of a femur. (36-6084)
Asian female - A 30+ year old, Asian female who stood between 4'8" and 5'3" tall. (36-6085)
1 Plastic skull
1 Plastic humerus
1 Plastic pelvis
1 Plastic femur
1 Large caliper
4 Protractors
4 Vernier calipers
4 Metric rulers
Teacher's Guide and Student Guide
Materials not included:
Calculator
Time requirements
This activity takes approximately 45-60 minutes to complete
- NGSS Life Science DCIs LS1, and LS2. Pre- and post-laboratory assessments Links to a real world scenario Estimated class/lab time required: 45-60 minutes
This lab provides students with experience with the process of epiphyseal union as well as using Vernier calipers. Students will be given a few bones, and then take the role of a forensic anthropologist to determine as much information as possible about the bones to help identify the individual. Students will become familiar with some of the techniques performed by a forensic anthropologist as well as some of the challenges one may encounter along the way. Framework Science Standards (LS2), (LS3), and (LS4) are all utilized in this lab activity (Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity).
This kit has been aligned with all published National Standards. Pre- and Post-laboratory assessments and vocabulary words all target specific Science and Engineering Practices and common core standards. The teacher guide also contains specific "Did You Know" concepts that link the real world with scientific standards explored. A student copymaster is also included. The lab activity booklet can be used with this kit and our additional bone sets, as well as bone sets that you may already have in your classroom. This kit includes enough materials to be used repeatedly.