Blog 8: What I've Learned So Far

1. What have you learned how to do since you started working on your senior project?

Ever since I have started working on my senior project I have learned how to organize information and data in a simpler, easy-to-know table format. My Cal Poly Pomona Anthropology teacher, Mark W.Allen, insisted that we create this because things can get way out of hand once you are recording layers and layers, artifacts, ecofacts, etc. In correlation with forensic anthropology you have to create an evidence that is organizing every piece of evidence, fiber, fragment, or even bone that is found in the scene. This is a very serious and important manner, however, if a forensic anthropologist lacks that expertise, there will be a lack of evidence and material that can be used to solve the case.

The specifics that I focused on learning by organizing materials in a table was differintiating the cultural periods: Basal Paleolithic Period, Lower Paleolithic Period, Middle Paleolithic Period, Upper Paleolithic Period, and Metholithic/Archaic Period based on the humanoid species, traditions, tools used, unique cultural traits, as well as  current exposed sites. 

2. Post evidence of this accomplishment.  It can be in the form of a picture, video, document, etc..

The evidence of my accomplishment can be found as a Google Docs Spreadsheet Document format for easy viewing through web browsing.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnHWfOKCFVl3dEZlT3psanhiZWdWX3F6c0Y3Skc3dVE

3. What research helped you to do this and how?

The research that helped me how to do this is my Cal Poly Pomona Anthropology instructor Mark W. Allen, who showed us this undergraduate helpful technique. The main reason he showed us this is because he understands that the class is made up of new-to-college students who would really like these tips and tricks. My professor used the blackboard in the classroom to individually graph and distinguish each cultural period between another by asking for student participation. It was a visual the entire class was able to see. Another source that helped me do this was the article entitled "Data Matrix Codes Used to Catalogue Archaeological Heritage" (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110119084757.htm) a Science Daily article that really opened my eyes on how important recording the context of everything that is discovered with its thoroughly explained analysis: be clear, concise, and complete! If I forget a single detail, I will be misunderstanding the analysis of the entire data. I'm glad that I was able to use such a helpful tip to organize information such as evidence, historical acts, and horizontal/vertical soil analysis with my senior topic!

Intro to Archaeology/Prehistory

These items are able to be traced using the element analysis system.

The connection I have made with my essential question and this course included: how people that have hunting as a hobby/sport tend to have rather healthier, disease-free evidence on their skeletal remains. Family and factory farmers, however, tend to be manifested with such conditions since they are in a more compact area with a larger group of people.

Trace element analysis is when skeletal remains absorb some plant and animal fibers that can lead to knowing the time of death as well as location and elevation. This has become a widely practice method, due to the high accuracy rate of being factual evidence!

Intro to Archaeology/Prehistory

It's that time of the quarter when the professor gives an exam! Oh boy, let's try out best on going for the A! The first exam consisted of 28 multiple choice answers and a short essay response. The exam compiled all of the information we have learned from the start of the class including the anthropological techniques to date materials that once lived, methods of discovering sites, differentiating cultures, various physical anthropological theories, as well as tools used in the dirty-work side of archaeology.

The golden rule of this class is that out of the three exams, you have the ability to get rid of the lowest point exam and act as though it never happened! That's such good news! Wish me luck!

Forensic Science Academy Club Meeting

In this meeting with the Forensic Science Academy Club, we were given the welcome of the new facility location! With a hand-to-hand agreement with a Latin-American organization, National Latino Peace Officers Association, their cooperation has allowed for this educational experience come to life! We were greeted to the panel of the hard working people that make the Forensic Science Academy Club possible: the President Ashlee Enriquez, Public Relations representative Noelle Miranda, the Secretary Raymond Ruiz, and the Advisor Terri Armenta!

We were introduced to the upcoming Forensic Science Academy Club board elections, which is a big deal and a rather skill intuitive job. Meeting was between 12:00 to 2:30 PM.

As in every meeting we were granted educational opportunities such as the West Coast Coroner Training Conference, as well as the Chicano Correctional Workers Conference that has high perks if you are an existing member of the Forensic Science Academy Club. 

We were given a brief explanation from a Class #13 alumni of the importance of carrying your resume with you at all times! You never know when a job opportunity is available for you. You might meet people who have connections, or simply find a recruiter on the spot! She showed us her hand-held resume briefcase that contained her resume and many other free forensic-volunteer documents. There is so much hype for this forensic conference that we will be preparing for! I can't wait to find out what's in store for this club!

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

1. Write a description of what you plan on doing for your independent study component.

For my independent study component I am planning on taking an Anthropology - Intro to Archaeology/Prehistory class at Cal Poly Pomona. In this class I will be studying the different physical and biological differences among racial groups in our world. Focusing on the evidence they leave behind as well as skeletal remains that are left for us to study, I will be provided the utmost information of how these individuals died and lived by studying their physical characteristics.

2. Describe in detail how you think your plan will meet the 30 hours work requirement.

Since the Cal Poly Pomona class is every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00PM - 4:50PM I will easily meet/exceed the length of time that I will be working on this study. The class includes lectures, readings, as well as examinations to allow my professor to understand that I am learning. 

3. How does your independent study component relate to your EQ?

My independent study component completely relates to my EQ because in this class we are exposed to skeletal remains to identify and observe. With this hands-on activity I will know what skeletal remains can tell me which is useful to testify as a forensic anthropologist. In my blog I have posted the pictures of the various crania in an array of angles to explain and show the detailed analysis of how trauma, reconstruction, and bruising can result to the thorough analysis that will be extremely useful for my EQ.

Intro to Archaeology/Prehistory

These skeletal remains individually tell a story about the person. It tells forensic anthropologists and anthropologists alike how healthy they were, by observing their teeth and possible holes in their upper jaw that were caused by cavities. However, the most crucial part of their remains that forensic anthropologists look for is cause of death. Observe the crania! Notice the zig-zag marks on the top? They indicate healing wounds that may have been resulted from a head injury. However, another crania shows a giant, more deadly crack, that may be the cause of death! These skulls differ from one another due to environmental factors, racial groups, sex, as well as activities!

This tool, known as the trowel, is the archaeologists' best friend when digging! Designed to scrape away horizontally and vertically when needed in a dig site.

My class had the privilege to closely observe these skulls! It's completely different from what you read in books than doing it in actual person! Key point: when in American territory use the American towel, and when in other countries use their signature equipment!

Blog 6: Defining the Essential Question

1. What is your EQ?

My essential question is what is the most important factor of a skeletal remain in a criminal investigation?

2. Define the words in your EQ to make sure we are on the same page regarding what your EQ means.

• Skeletal remain: Bones from the human skeletal system that have been left behind at the time of death
• Criminal investigation: The collection of information such as evidence in order to be able to scientifically reconstruct a past event for the purpose to punish the bad guys who caused a murder.

3. What are some possible answers to your EQ so far?

Some possible answers to my EQ so far include:

• Size of the skull to know if it a human (Homo sapien) rather than a Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus/egaster, or the Neanderthal skull. 
• Indication of bone reconstruction in order to know if medical records have the designated  fracture which can be referred to and assist the investigation by matching it with an individual.
• Positioning of the remains to understand if it was religiously buried by the placement of the arms in an "X" shape fashion and being symmetrically aligned.
• Entrance and exit wounds caused by bullet to be able to determine to possible cause of death of that individual and know what type of gun and bullet was used for the murder.
• The angle of wideness of the pelvic bone to determine the age and sex of the individual.
• The horizontal excavation layer in which the remains were found in order to determine the possible time of death.

 
4. What has been your most important source and why? Be specific. If it is a person, name them and what they do, if it is an article, book or video, name the title and author.

Mark W. Allen is the most important source that I have. He is the Cal Poly Professor who is teaching Intro to Archaeology/Prehistory and has given me access to a wide array of anthropological ties that greatly connect with my senior project. Dr. Allen has explained the deep and important connection between the detail-extravagant investigation of sites, such as a crime scene, with the success of knowledge in an investigation. This knowledge may include knowing how deep into the soil the artifact, evidence, or skeletal remains were found in order to determine the period of time that item was placed there. Also, the scientific explanation of how people all around differ in culture as well as in skeletal remains. He has given me an important basis in the class that will become extremely useful as my project will progress.

Intro to Archaeology/Prehistory

Forensic anthropologists have the ability to identify these types of bones! Don't be discouraged if you didn't even know these bones were humanoid! It's completely normal. To my dismay, these were small-brained (unintelligent!) males who usually grunted their way throughout life.

Anthropology was introduced to the United States by Franz Boaz, who headed the first program at Columbia University. Physical anthropogy, in which forensic anthropology is highly connected with, used the skulls of historical human life to shell out differences among cultures. One of the most controversial application of anthropology was used by Adolf Hitler who read Boaz' works and determined that a master race would be established.

The three goals of anthropology is to reconstruct cultural history by means of knowing the who, what when, where? As well as reconstructing the past life ways of the hearth/origin of the individual and be able to explain the cultural process (long and short-term change of the scientific growth of the body).

The most important thing to learn about the skeletal remains is the context! The site in which they were found in can lead to the historical attribute of the existence of an entire civilization as well as the details behind the artifacts/evidence and the eco-facts that can lead to the collection of important items that can show evidence of religious insensitive, date-comparable organic material, as well as the soil in which they were found.

The important things you are looking for when searching a crime scene or any time of site is the artifacts (lithics, sherds, bone, metal, glass, etc). You are also looking for soil stains, mostly midden, to determine if water was available to this particular area, even depressions, pits, and similar soil-like features. Most importantly, natural shelters like caves and rock shelters and huge, pyramid-like hills that can easily distinguish a possible forensic case between a religious death. You should always record your findings!

Innovative technology such as remote sensing has the ability to take infrared aerial photographs that can seek skeletal remains between many feet of profound soil. The heat density infrared light might be the best option to seek out detail the naked eye has no access to! The purpose of this type of technology is to get away from the "there might be some bones under here" view point in order to prevent unnecessary environmental damage. If digging is required there's specifications that need to be made: based on the horizontal excavation what time period may have these bones be buried? Perhaps a single-time period to expose wide views of a single component of the past, or perhaps a vertical excavation to expose cave and ditch-like capacities of a multiple time-period resolution.

The items/evidence that was found with the corresponding body may suggest possible weapons and tools that were used, clothing that was worn, or even food that was consumed! In most cases further critical thinking and analysis have to continue in order to further explain the reasoning behind all the evidence that can lead to the suggestion of a murder, accident, or a natural death. One very important note to consider is that when viewing a criminal investigation is to see if there is any cut marks, don't always assume it's a knife- perhaps an animal did it when it was consuming the decomposing body! However, animals' teeth cannot break into the bone marrow since it's too tough to break from material like teeth! 

Blog 5: Second Interview Questions

I will be interviewing Ashlee Enriquez for my second interview. She is one of the people to get a hold of if you are interested in joining the Forensic Science Academy Club. The only background information I know of Ms. Enriquez is that she was recently in #26 and will be joining the newcomers for assistance.

The five questions that I will be asking Ms. Enriquez include:

1. When was the Forensic Science Academy Club created? Why? 
2. What skills will be acquired by students who take part of the academy? How is it taught? 
3. Why did you join the Forensic Science Academy Club instead of another program? 
4. What forensic opportunities will be acquired upon the completion of the FSAC program? 
5. How will the FSAC benefit someone who is interested working in the criminal justice field?