ABSTRACT
This chapter demonstrates that the techniques for reconstructing fragmented skeletal remains and outlines the methodology for identifying skeletal trauma. It shows that fractures resulting from possible injuries from normal skeletal variation and nontraumatic skeletal pathology. The chapter describes the timing of fractures to differentiate antemortem injuries, perimortem trauma, and postmortem modification or taphonomic processes. It presents the supporting evidence for trauma identification from radiographic data and clothing analysis. The chapter discusses the characteristics of burned bone and features used to differentiate peri- from postmortem burning and microscopic techniques for interpreting fracture evidence. Skeletal reconstructions of fractured remains, depends on the amount and type of fracturing, subsequent warping or deformation due to burial, or other postmortem damage. Generalized infections affecting bone are very evident in the form of abnormal bone growth or loss, skeletal disruptions to growth, Harris lines, enamel defects or hypoplasias, and skeletal asymmetries. Generally, infectious processes in bone may be classified as either periostitis or osteomyelitis.
