Identification of the fragmentary, burned remains of two U.S. journalists seven years after their disappearance in Guatemala

The contribution of a physical anthropologist to a forensic investigation is generally associated with analysis of skeletal remains in a laboratory. This case, which deals with the identification of two U.S. journalists who disappeared in Guatemala in March 1985, shows that the observations of a phy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of forensic sciences Vol. 38; no. 6; p. 1372
Main Author Owsley, D W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1993
Subjects
Adult
Age Determination by Skeleton
Burns - pathology
Dental Records
Forensic Medicine - methods
Humans
Male
Sex Determination Analysis
Skull - diagnostic imaging
Skull - pathology
Time Factors
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Summary:The contribution of a physical anthropologist to a forensic investigation is generally associated with analysis of skeletal remains in a laboratory. This case, which deals with the identification of two U.S. journalists who disappeared in Guatemala in March 1985, shows that the observations of a physical anthropologist in the field--at the site where the skeletal remains are located--can be essential to the success of an investigation. In this case, there was a deliberate attempt to mislead the investigators, but the physical anthropologists on the team discovered the deception. Subsequently, when they were taken to the actual cremation site, they obtained bone fragments and teeth that permitted identification of the victims. For one individual, the unusual morphology of the frontal sinus made positive identification possible. Comparison of premortem dental X-rays with teeth found at the site resulted in positive identification of the second individual.
ISSN:0022-1198
DOI:10.1520/JFS13541J