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Review
. 2019 Dec 23;5(2):89-97.
doi: 10.1080/20961790.2019.1697060. eCollection 2020.

Evaluation of ancestry from human skeletal remains: a concise review

Eugénia Cunha  1   2 , Douglas H Ubelaker  3
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation of ancestry from human skeletal remains: a concise review

Eugénia Cunha et al. Forensic Sci Res. .

Abstract

Ancestry assessment represents a major component of forensic anthropological analysis of recovered human remains. Interpretations of ancestry, together with other aspects of the biological profile, can help narrow the search of missing persons and contribute to eventual positive identification. Such information can prove useful to authorities involved in the identification and investigative process since many lists of missing persons have a reference to this parameter. Recent research has strengthened available methodologies involving metric, non-metric morphological as well as chemical and genetic approaches. This review addresses the new anthropological techniques that are now available, as well as the complex historical context related to ancestry evaluation.

Keywords: Forensic sciences; ancestry estimation; forensic anthropology; skeletal remains.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Example of a well preserved skull where ancestry was performed using both metric and non-metric approaches. The individual, with African ancestry, was positively identified. Note the large nasal aperture; the inexistence of anterior nasal spine, the inferior border of nasal aperture (incipient guttered); the large interorbital space; and the prognathism. All these features were paramount to the evaluation. Picture from the first author’s archive.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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