Category Archives: Human Rights, Migrant Death

Talking about the project itself

Day 3 (Lab) – It’s the Eye of the Tiger

Human Rights, Migrant Death

Day 3 team photo.

“It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight…” Settling down for the evening and reflecting back on today’s events, I can’t help but to think about the lyrics of our ‘pump up’ song that we played on our way to ORPL this morning. For the first leg of our trip, we had a goal of completing a total of 6 skeletal analyses- approximating 2 a day. I am excited to say that we not only met our goal but completed an additional 3 analyses ending with a grand total of 9. To say we ended the first part of our journey on a high note does not cover the feeling of accomplishment that our whole team felt as we drove away from ORPL. For our group members, this was our first time participating in an analysis season and I feel that we set our goals fairly conservatively. The fact that we were able to surpass those goals and accomplish three more is incredibly exciting. This means that we have an additional three more people who are ready to have DNA samples submitted and have the potential of being identified. While we are able to reflect on these feelings of accomplishment, we know this trip is not about us. It is about getting people identified and today we came that much closer.

The past two days we were able to complete 4 analyses, today we did a total of 5.  I feel that today we were able to complete as many analyses as we did is because we had found our rhythm. One of the more beneficial things that our group does every evening is discuss the positive aspects that occurred that day and where we can improve. When we got to the facility this morning, we knew exactly what we needed to do to get as many analyses accomplished in the short amount of time we had to do them. We were also joined today by veteran team member Ryan, who currently lives here in TX.

Team members measuring skeletal elements in the lab.
Taking measurements for skeletal analysis

This experience has been extremely rewarding for many reasons. Our group has spent the last year sitting in a classroom learning different methodologies and this trip has allowed us to apply those methods in an actual case setting. Each case, each analysis, is incredibly different and has allowed our team members to see a wide range of variation with in the skeletal system that we may not be exposed to back in Indiana. We were able to see how different traits are expressed in different human populations and at first it was quite challenging. It forced us, as students, to think outside of our comfort zone and adjust how we would normally approach a case. Not to mention the one on one experience we got with our professor and fearless leader, Dr. Latham. I know I can speak for all when I say that we are incredibly grateful for the patience and time she spent with us going over ever feature and then giving us the opportunity to give our own assessments and being completely hands on through out the entire process. I am excited and anxious to see how our trip continues as we set forth into the second half of our journey. This past week has not been easy and I know that once we get to our next destination that we will have a new set of challenges that await us. That is what makes this process exciting; it is venturing into the unknown and not really knowing what to expect. What I do know is that I have a great group of people who will be by my side as we push our way forward and for that, I am incredibly grateful. Until next time, let Journey guide us on our way…. “Don’t stop, believing”.

Team photo in the lab.

Our last photo at ORPL

Jessica

Day 2 (Lab) – Setting the Pace

Human Rights, Migrant Death

Day 2 team photo in the lab.

Today was our second full day at the Osteology Research and Processing Laboratory (ORPL) conducting skeletal analyses. Our first four cases were individuals the UIndy team exhumed from Sacred Heart Burial Park when we were there doing exhumations in January. It is especially motivating for us to be able to follow these individuals from the exhumation to the analysis phase of the forensic investigation. Once the skeletal analysis is complete a forensic anthropology report is composed to  outline the decedent’s living characteristics, such as an estimation of their age at death, how tall they were in life and a determination of whether they were male or female (among other things).  Once the forensic anthropology report is complete, a sample can be submitted for the generation of a DNA profile. The DNA information is then compared to DNA profiles in a database that were submitted by family members of missing persons.  If there is a profile that is similar, the information about the missing person is then compared to the information in the forensic anthropology report as well as other documents that might have important information about the unidentified person, such as when and where the body was found. If there are no major inconsistencies between all the various pieces of data, then a personal identification can be made. It is not an easy or a fast process. But the sooner the skeletal analysis occurs, the sooner they will enter this process and hopefully be identified and returned to their loved ones.

team members analyzing skeletons in the lab.
Skeletal analyses at ORPL

Today the UIndy team hit their groove. There was no stumbling over the various steps in the process or waiting on others to complete steps before others could be conducted.  While two people were taking measurements, two others were analyzing non-metric traits and one was taking photos.  It was a pleasure as a teacher to watch them find their confidence, work well as a team and help each other along the way. While our team was working on cases, there was a team from Texas State lead by Dr. Tim Gocha that was working on cases as well.  The goal is to get as many of the 20 cases that are processed and ready for analysis completed by the two teams in three days. Also at ORPL this week is UIndy alum Caitlin (posing with us in our Day 2 photo).  It’s great to see how well she’s doing since graduating from the UIndy Human Biology Program. Tomorrow is our last day of skeletal analyses.  We plan to get there early and hit the ground running so that our last day is the most productive day yet.

~KEL

Five people in front of a rock wall holding up one finger.

Day 1 (Lab) – at ORPL

Human Rights, Migrant Death

This morning, the team awoke for a warm breakfast made by Dr. Latham.  We had breakfast tacos and potatoes, and they were wonderful!  We knew today would be a long day at the Osteology Research and Processing Lab (ORPL) so we needed full stomachs to fuel us for the day. ORPL is located on 26 acres of the Freeman Ranch and opened in 2008.  ORPL is part of a larger multi-purpose facility that is used for teaching and training purposes, as well as for conferences and outreach services.  Specifically, ORPL is utilized for forensic anthropological casework as well as the processing of skeletons donated to the Texas State Donated Skeletal collection.    ORPL is where the skeletal analysis portion of this trip takes place before we depart for Rio Grande City on Sunday.

The outside of a research facility.
Texas State Osteological Research and Processing Laboratory

When we arrived at ORPL, we got a brief tour of the facilities by Dr. Tim Gocha.  We got to see their processing room, multipurpose classroom, osteology laboratory, and the room where donated and OpID skeletons are stored.  Their processing room was AMAZING!  At UIndy, we use different tools and technologies.  So while we use two burners and small cooking pots, ORPL has a vat that an entire skeleton can fit into!  It was very interesting to see these new technologies and different pieces of equipment that the students at Texas State have access to.

Leann taking photos.
Leann taking photos

The first thing we did after our tour was figure out the best way to take photos in the space we had.  Photography is an integral part of the documentation process, so ensuring photo quality was one of our first priorities.  At UIndy, we have a photography station, with plenty of lights and various lenses to achieve the desired photographical results.  At ORPL, we did not have control over the lights whatsoever.  In addition, the lights were luminescent which can affect the coloration of the photo unless you account for these light sources in your settings.  However, to account for luminescent lights, I had to change the settings too much which made the shutter speed too slow and all of the photos blurry.  After much fidgeting and about four different table positions, we were able to find the optimal photo settings for the room and skeletal analyses could begin.

team members in the lab.
The team beginning skeletal inventory

Skeletal analysis started out pretty slow, as we had multiple tasks occurring at once and we had not yet found our “groove.”  To begin, Erica, Jessica, Haley and I laid out the skeleton in anatomical position.  Next, Erica and I conducted dental analysis and scored cranial suture closure, while Dr. Latham, Jessica, and Haley worked on inventory, discrete and taphonomy observations.  While Haley and Erica were measuring the skeleton, I began taking photographs of the various skeletal elements.  We worked in these different groups simultaneously, ensuring efficiency so as to analyze as many sets of remains as possible and start the identification process for these individuals.

Close up of a team member in the lab
Erica conducting dental analysis

By the end of the day, the team began to get into a groove and we nearly completed two full skeletons.  Today was a day of adaptations and flexibility as we learned to navigate the unfamiliar lab space we were working in.  We now have a better idea of what to expect and the challenges we will face, so I believe the remaining days at ORPL will run much smoother.  Overall, today was a great day filled with new challenges and learning experiences as this was Jessica, Haley, Erica, and I’s first experience with the skeletal analysis portion of this humanitarian mission in South Texas.  I am excited to continue working on skeletal analyses and learning the different ways the casework is conducted at different institutions.  I can’t wait to see what new challenges tomorrow brings!

— Leann