Abstract
This research involves the secondary analysis of Medical Grade Human Remains from Closed and Redacted Files for evidence of anatomical characteristics pulled from the remains and photographs. Macroscopic observations of the skull were used to evaluate the FGCU HITA sample. The taphonomic characteristics examined are divided into the following categories: Original preparation, preparation for display and use, characteristics related to the effects of handling, and finally, any evidence of repurposing. The characteristics are scored on a presence or absence basis. The results were compared with each group of medical grade human remains from redacted and closed files and donations and then to Pokines (2021) collections. Overall, we are trying to identify if the medical-grade human skeletal remains analyzed within the Human Identity and Trauma Analysis Laboratory have macroscopic markers of processing and preparation techniques consistent with the published literature. The data was statistically analyzed through SPSS v.28 using chi-square goodness of fit and Fishers’ exact tests. Assuming the populations that Pokines (2021) sample and the FGCU HITA samples were drawn from the same population, I expected to find no differences between the macroscopic observations of the processing and preparation of medical-grade human skeletal remains between the Human Identity and Trauma Analysis Laboratory and the published literature. Differences were found. This research will aid law enforcement, medical examiners, crime scene technicians and forensic anthropologists in the future when trying to determine the forensic significance of anatomical remains, as this will expand the knowledge in this area.
