ANT 211
Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology

Historic Cases:  Amelia Earhart (page 4)

III.    Analysis

• In 1998, Drs. Karen Burns and Richard Jantz, two US forensic anthropologists were asked by Gillespie, of TIGHAR, to re-evaluate the earlier physician's notes.

• Both forensic anthropologists noted mistakes in naming bones and features, and mismeasures.  With the help of a sophisticated computer model, and re-interpretation of the notes, it seems as though the remains were those of a white female, around 5'5" to 5'9".

• Questions for review:

1. What features of the skeleton would indicate female?
2. What features of the skeleton would indicate European ancestry?
3. What bones and measures would indicate a stature range?
4. Why is this analysis sketchy or speculative?
5. What would help confirm the re-analysis?

• The TIGHAR group plans to send a team to Fiji to search for the bones described in the British records.

The End

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