Question

1) In the disease osteoporosis, a gradual loss of bone density leads to an increased frequency of fractures. Explain why the bone density loss weakens bone.

2) Forensic science is the scientific evaluation of physical clues in an effort to solve a crime. It often requires a working knowledge of skeletal system anatomy. This knowledge is necessary to draw conclusions from bodies that have been exhumed after a period of time, relying on bones of deceased persons to “tell a tale”. Provide two reasons for why knowledge of skeletal system anatomy can benefit a forensic scientist.

Answer 1

Answer

1. Bone density loss weakens bone:

* Osteoporosis weakens bone and makes thin and brittle.

* In the mild stresses including bending cause fracture and in coughing also the bones become brittle due to decrese in bone denisty leads to thinning of bone.

* Lower sex hormones tend to weaken bone.

* Decrese in estrogen levels at menopause causes in developing osteoporosis.

* Decrese in testosterone levels by age and breast cancer treatment which reduce estrogen levels causes bone loss or weakens the bone.

* Thyroid hormone cause bone loss I.e. thyroid is overactive or taking of over thyroid medication cause weakens bone and accelerates bone loss.

* Bone loss due to overactive parathyroid and adrenal glands.

* Low calcium intake

* Gastrointestinal surgery.

* using of steroid medications.

* Medical problems like lupus, cancer, rheumatoid disease, IBD etc..leads to decrese in bones and weakens bone.

* smoking and too much alcohol consumption.

All these above can lead to decrese in bone density and loss and weakens the bone.

2. Skeletal system anatomy can benefit forensic scientiat:

* skeletal system anatomy helps forensic scientist by identifying physical characteristics of body.

* use skeletal abnormalities to determine death cause, post traumatic conditions like bone cancer or other medical procedures.

* pelvis determine the sex of muscular skeleton.