Comparative Osteology A Laboratory and Field Guide of Common North American Animals
By Bradley Adams and Pam Crabtree
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.
An affordably priced, compact laboratory/field manual, comparing human and nonhuman bones
Contains almost 600 high-quality black and white images and diagrams, including inch and centimeter scales with each photograph
Written by the foremost forensic scientists with decades of experience in the laboratory and as expert witnesses
Chapter 1: Introduction, Scope of Book, and Credits Introduction
Archaeological Context
Forensic Context
Book Terminology and Organization
Background of the Specimens Included in this Book
Photographic Credits
Chapter 2: Crania Crania of Large Species
Adult Human
Horse
Cow
Bear
Deer
Pig
Goat
Sheep
Dog
Crania of Small Species
Newborn Human
Raccoon
Opossum
Cat
Rabbit
Duck
Chicken
Chapter 3: Humeri Humeri of Large Species
Adult Human
Horse
Bear
Cow
Pig
Dog
Deer
Sheep
Goat
Humeri of Small Species
Newborn Human
Turkey
Duck
Raccoon
Cat
Opossum
Rabbit
Chicken
Chapter 4: Radii and Ulnae Radii and Ulnae of Large Species
Adult Human
Horse
Cow
Bear
Pig
Deer
Dog
Sheep
Goat
Radii and Ulnae of Small Species
Newborn Human
Turkey
Raccoon
Cat
Duck
Opossum
Chicken
Rabbit
Chapter 5: Femora Femora of Large Species
Adult Human
Horse
Cow
Bear
Pig
Deer
Dog
Sheep
Goat
Femora of Small Species
Newborn Human
Raccoon
Turkey
Cat
Rabbit
Opossum
Chicken
Duck
Chapter 6: Tibiae Tibiae of Large Species
Adult Human
Horse
Cow
Bear
Deer
Dog
Sheep
Pig
Goat
Tibiae of Small Species
Newborn Human
Turkey
Chicken
Duck
Raccoon
Cat
Rabbit
Opossum
Chapter 23: Miscellaneous Animals Subadult Skeletal Elements
Adult Skeletal Elements
Rat
Bobcat
Fox
Turtle
Chapter 24: Traces of Butchery and Bone Working Introduction
Modern Butchery: Eighteenth Century to Present
Butchery Using Cleavers and Heavy Knives
Prehistoric Butchery
Bone as a Raw Material
