Forensic aspects of Aboriginal skeletal remains in Australia

Abstract

The assessment of Aboriginal skeletal remains and their distinction from whites is an area of major importance to the Australian forensic pathologist. The Aborigines, the indigenous people of Australia, are a distinct racial group with many characteristic anthropological features. The assessment of race is best made from an examination of cranial traits, 20 which are of value. A characteristic pattern of attrition of the teeth provides a method for establishing a skeleton as pre-European contact Aboriginal or postcontact tribal Aboriginal. The limb proportions of Aborigines differ significantly from other races and provide a useful adjunct to other racial discriminants. Quantifiable sex discriminants in the Aboriginal pelvis and femur differ in their ranges of values from other races. The humerus and shoulder girdle are of no value in making a racial distinction and are of limited value in sexing Aboriginal skeletons. Some pathological changes seen in Aboriginal skeletons are of value in corroborating race. These pathological changes include evulsion of incisor teeth, healed "parry fractures" of the ulnae, tibial squatting facets, treponemal changes, and auditory exostoses. The place and manner of burial together with related artefacts, features, and ecofacts may also provide corroboration.

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