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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Miller-Shaivitz, Patricia 1996 - The Feasibility of Assembling a Contemporary Human Skeletal Collection for Forensic Anthropological Education and Research.
Abstract: The purpose
of this study was to document the need for the assemblage of a new
contemporary human adult skeletal collection for forensic anthropological
education and research. Up to the present time two main skeletal collections
have been used in the United States for education and research purposes.
These two collections have now come under attack for not being representative
of contemporary living populations. Therefore, some research based
on these specimens may not be as valid and reliable as in the past. The
methods used in this study were to determine if a new adult skeletal
collection would be a feasible undertaking. The specific procedure employed
were a literature review, surveys in the form of questionnaires, and
a review of the sociocultural/ethical aspects of body donation. The literature
review concentrated on published articles in two professional journals
that utilized the existing human adult skeletal collections as data bases.
The review revealed regular and productive use of the existing collections.
The questionnaires were sent to purposive sample populations. These populations
included forensic anthropologists and individuals representing institutions/museums
with human skeletal collections as well as representatives of medical
schools and body donation programs. The survey of forensic anthropologists
revealed the need for large contemporary documented skeletal collections.
Results of the survey of institutions/museums indicated that the collections
located in these facilities are small and poorly documented. The survey
of medical schools/body donation programs disclosed that few had skeletal
collections of use to forensic anthropologists. Body donation programs
could supply skeletons for a new documented collection. The literature
review of the sociocultural/ethical aspects of body donation, and use
of human specimens centered on the sociocultural characteristics, legal
implications, and ethical justifications. This review indicated that
it would be necessary to consider issues of procurement, emotional factors,
religious implications, and legal and ethical aspects for assembling
a new skeletal collection. The finding of these procedures indicate that
a new contemporary human adult skeletal collection is highly desirable
for forensic anthropological education and research. The need for this
collection was shown in the survey of forensic anthropologists. Establishing
a new collection is feasible, but many obstacles must be overcome.
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