Skip to main content
Unit of study_

ANAT3006: Forensic Osteology

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims to introduce students to the area of forensic osteology, which is the study of human skeletal remains within the legal context. Thus the unit of study aims to help students learn about human morphology and variation through the investigation and identification of human bones. It will also help students gain skills in observation and rigorous record taking and in analysis and interpretation. Production of case reports and practice in acting as 'expert witness' will improve students written and oral skills. An additional objective will be to assist students in learning to deal with legal and ethical issues.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ANAT3006
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
BMED2401 or BMED2402 or BMED2403 or BMED2404 or BMED2405 or BMED2406 or BMED2801 or BMED2802 or BMED2803 or BMED2804 or BMED2805 or BMED2806 or BMED2807 or BMED2808
Prerequisites
? 
ANAT2008 and a mark of 65 or above in ANAT2009
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3 or MEDS1X01

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Denise Donlon, denise.donlon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Online Theory exam
Short answer questions
40% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Final exam Online Practical exam
Practical examination
25% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
Quiz
5% Week 07 To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment Critique/review of journal article
Written assessment
15% Week 09 2,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO6
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2
Quiz
5% Week 12 To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment group assignment Case study report
Written assessment
10% Week 13 To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of exceptional standard: Mastery of topics showing extensive integration and ability to transfer knowledge to novel contexts; treatment of tasks shows an advanced synthesis of ideas; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is very well presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an outstanding level.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of superior standard: Excellent achievement, consistent evidence of deep understanding and application of knowledge in medical science; treatment of tasks shows advanced understanding of topics; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is well-presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a superior level.

Credit

65 - 74

Competent work demonstrating potential for higher study: Confident in explaining medical science processes, with evidence of solid understanding and achievement; occasional lapses indicative of unresolved issues; treatment of tasks shows a good understanding of topic; work is well-presented with a minimum of errors; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a high level.

Pass

50 - 64

Work of acceptable standard: Satisfactory level of engagement with and understanding of topic; some inconsistencies in understanding and knowledge of medical science; work is adequately presented, with some errors or omissions, most criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an adequate level.

Fail

0 - 49

Work not of acceptable standard: Unsatisfactory achievement and engagement with the medical science discipline; inadequate understanding or fundamental misunderstanding of topics; most criteria and learning outcomes not clearly or adequately addressed or achieved; lack of effort/involvement in the unit.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The skull Lecture (1 hr)  
The skull Tutorial (2 hr)  
Osteometry Practical (1 hr)  
Week 02 1. Postcranial skeleton; 2. Dentition Lecture (2 hr)  
Postcranial skeleton and dentition Tutorial (2 hr)  
Practice case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 03 Non-human bone Lecture (2 hr)  
Non-human bone Tutorial (2 hr)  
Practice case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 04 1. Age: dental; 2. Age: skeleton Lecture (2 hr)  
Age Tutorial (2 hr)  
Practice case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 05 1. Sex: skeleton; 2. Sex: skull Lecture (2 hr)  
Sex Tutorial (2 hr)  
Practice case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 06 Ancestry Lecture (2 hr)  
Ancestry Tutorial (2 hr)  
Practice case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 07 1. Stature; 2. Time elapsed since death Lecture (2 hr)  
Stature and time since death Tutorial (2 hr)  
New case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 08 1. Histology of bone; 2. Histology of teeth Lecture (2 hr)  
Histology of teeth Tutorial (2 hr)  
Case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 09 1. Pathology; 2. Trauma Lecture (2 hr)  
Pathology and trauma Tutorial (2 hr)  
Case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 10 1. Disaster victim identification; 2. Dental pathology Lecture (2 hr)  
Dental disease and DVI Tutorial (2 hr)  
Case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 11 1. Muscle attachments and lifestyle markers; 2. Commingled remains Lecture (2 hr)  
1. Muscles and lifestyle; 2. Commingling Tutorial (2 hr)  
Case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 12 1. Expert witness; 2. Non-metric variation Lecture (2 hr)  
Non-metric variation Tutorial (2 hr)  
Case study Practical (1 hr)  
Week 13 Legislation and ethics Lecture (1 hr)  
Revision Tutorial (2 hr)  
Case study Practical (1 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

  • White, T.D. and P.A Folkens, 2005 The Human Bone Manual. Elsevier, NY. Approx. $50.

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the variation in the human skeleton
  • LO2. identify human and non-human bone and detailed features on bones
  • LO3. review a journal article
  • LO4. select the appropriate procedure to determine race, sex, age, stature
  • LO5. carry out the statistical calculations required
  • LO6. interpret and explain results.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

I have linked Learning Outcomes to Assessments.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.