{"id":1313,"date":"2022-10-10T09:10:10","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T13:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/2022\/10\/10\/analyzing-murder-cases-teaching-biology\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T00:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T04:10:08","slug":"analyzing-murder-cases-teaching-biology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/2022\/10\/10\/analyzing-murder-cases-teaching-biology\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyzing Murder Cases, Teaching Biology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ann Ross\u2019 lab would look perfectly normal were it not for the skeletons on the tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are three skeletons laying flat on separate tables. Two are fairly in tact, lined up from head to toe. The third comprises several charred bones, burned after death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ross runs the <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/ncsu.edu\/forensicanthropology\/\">North Carolina Human Identification &amp; Forensics Analysis Laboratory<\/a>, which contracts with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for forensic anthropological casework statewide. She examines the remains of humans to help determine how they died and, if unknown, who they were. As a professor of biological sciences at NC&#160;State, she teaches students how to do the same.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is an active forensics lab,\u201d Ross said. \u201cIt\u2019s not your normal research lab.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This fall, Ross is teaching an undergraduate course, \u201cCold Case Investigations,\u201d in partnership with North Carolina\u2019s State Bureau of Investigation. Students will try to come up with new leads in an unsolved homicide case by studying the case\u2019s files. In the graduate course \u201cSkeletal Biological Laboratory Methods in Human Identification &amp; Cold Cases,\u201d Ross teaches students how to identify a human\u2019s age, biological sex and population affinity as well how to analyze trauma. Many of her graduate students go on to become physicians and dentists, and the course gives them unique insight into the human body.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/annrosss_body.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/annrosss_body-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Ann Ross sits at a table in her lab. Textbooks are open on the table, and an upright skeleton stands behind her. \" class=\"wp-image-538551\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSkeletons are always changing,\u201d Ross said. \u201cPeople often think bones are static, and once you have a skeleton, it\u2019s there for life. But your skeleton is continuously changing.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whereas biological anthropology examines what remains show about a person\u2019s culture and lifestyle, skeletal biology uses a scientific approach to analyze bones after death. A person\u2019s skeleton can reflect previously broken bones or even diseases like tuberculosis or syphilis, which leave behind scars. Isotopes from drinking water remain in teeth and bone, which can show where a person grew up or spent the last few years of their life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBones record your life history,\u201d Ross said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ann Ross: Telling the Stories Behind the Bones\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p6jWUfifE4g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ross is a diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, having earned the board\u2019s highest certification. She earned her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Tennessee and worked as a postdoc at the University of Florida for two years. She came to NC&#160;State in 2003. An expert in the field, Ross excels in analyzing complex cases using statistics, anatomy and osteology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs a forensic scientist, your job is to present the facts, scientific facts, and that&#8217;s it,\u201d Ross said. \u201cDon&#8217;t over interpret. Don&#8217;t interpret things that are actually outside of your purview.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ross works on several homicide cases. When a skeleton comes under Ross\u2019 care, it undergoes a detailed process. First, an inventory of the bones is completed \u2014 a fully grown human has 206 bones. Each bone is labeled, X-rayed and measured. If the person is unidentified, a biological profile is started, recording information like sex, age and height upon death. Ross then assesses trauma. In some cases, she\u2019ll test a known weapon on a porcine bone to see if its marks match those left on the human\u2019s bones. She also determines in which order skeletal wounds occurred. Finally, she writes her findings in a report to the case\u2019s medical examiner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-indigo-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Your job is to present the facts, scientific facts, and that&#8217;s it.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ross helped investigators determine how a North Carolina woman was murdered in 2011. Laura Ackerson, of Kinston, was 27 when she went missing that summer. Days later, her dismembered remains were found in a creek. Ross tested a specific power saw on porcine bone and found its marks matched those left on Ackerson\u2019s bones. Ackerson\u2019s ex-boyfriend and his then-wife were charged with and found guilty in Ackerson\u2019s murder.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a way, her work gives a voice to the victims. In studying their remains, Ross speaks on behalf of those who can no longer speak for themselves.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese people that usually end up here are the marginalized in life, and they&#8217;re also kind of marginalized after death,\u201d Ross said. \u201cYou are their advocate.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-highlight with-image\"><h2 class=\"highlight__label\">Related<\/h2><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/results\/\" class=\"highlight__link\" data-ua-cat=\"Highlight Block\" data-ua-action=\"Story Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/results\/\"><div class=\"highlight__image-container\"><div class=\"highlight__image-background\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"highlight__image wp-image-483128\" alt=\"An unedited polarized light microscope image shows the crystal formation of a special type polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) solvent-casted with chloroform.\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/envisioning-research.jpg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"highlight__text-container\"><h3 class=\"highlight__heading\">Results Magazine<\/h3><p class=\"highlight__teaser\">Your source for the latest research and innovation coming out of NC&#160;State.<\/p><p class=\"highlight__cta\"><span>Discover more <\/span><span class=\"nowrap\"><span>stories&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/aside>\n<p><em>This post was <a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/2022\/10\/ann-ross-murder-cases-biology\/\">originally published<\/a> in NC&#160;State News.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"<!-- wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n<!-- wp:ncst\/default-immersive-post-header \/-->\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Ann Ross\u2019 lab would look perfectly normal were it not for the skeletons on the tables.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are three skeletons laying flat on separate tables. Two are fairly in tact, lined up from head to toe. The third comprises several charred bones, burned after death.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Ross runs the <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/ncsu.edu\/forensicanthropology\/\">North Carolina Human Identification &amp; Forensics Analysis Laboratory<\/a>, which contracts with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for forensic anthropological casework statewide. She examines the remains of humans to help determine how they died and, if unknown, who they were. As a professor of biological sciences at NC State, she teaches students how to do the same.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThis is an active forensics lab,\u201d Ross said. \u201cIt\u2019s not your normal research lab.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This fall, Ross is teaching an undergraduate course, \u201cCold Case Investigations,\u201d in partnership with North Carolina\u2019s State Bureau of Investigation. Students will try to come up with new leads in an unsolved homicide case by studying the case\u2019s files. In the graduate course \u201cSkeletal Biological Laboratory Methods in Human Identification &amp; Cold Cases,\u201d Ross teaches students how to identify a human\u2019s age, biological sex and population affinity as well how to analyze trauma. Many of her graduate students go on to become physicians and dentists, and the course gives them unique insight into the human body.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":538551,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/annrosss_body.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/annrosss_body-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Ann Ross sits at a table in her lab. Textbooks are open on the table, and an upright skeleton stands behind her. \" class=\"wp-image-538551\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cSkeletons are always changing,\u201d Ross said. \u201cPeople often think bones are static, and once you have a skeleton, it\u2019s there for life. But your skeleton is continuously changing.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Whereas biological anthropology examines what remains show about a person\u2019s culture and lifestyle, skeletal biology uses a scientific approach to analyze bones after death. A person\u2019s skeleton can reflect previously broken bones or even diseases like tuberculosis or syphilis, which leave behind scars. Isotopes from drinking water remain in teeth and bone, which can show where a person grew up or spent the last few years of their life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cBones record your life history,\u201d Ross said.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:embed {\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/p6jWUfifE4g\",\"type\":\"video\",\"providerNameSlug\":\"youtube\",\"responsive\":true,\"className\":\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/p6jWUfifE4g\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:embed -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Ross is a diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, having earned the board\u2019s highest certification. She earned her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Tennessee and worked as a postdoc at the University of Florida for two years. She came to NC State in 2003. An expert in the field, Ross excels in analyzing complex cases using statistics, anatomy and osteology.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cAs a forensic scientist, your job is to present the facts, scientific facts, and that's it,\u201d Ross said. \u201cDon't over interpret. Don't interpret things that are actually outside of your purview.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Ross works on several homicide cases. When a skeleton comes under Ross\u2019 care, it undergoes a detailed process. First, an inventory of the bones is completed \u2014 a fully grown human has 206 bones. Each bone is labeled, X-rayed and measured. If the person is unidentified, a biological profile is started, recording information like sex, age and height upon death. Ross then assesses trauma. In some cases, she\u2019ll test a known weapon on a porcine bone to see if its marks match those left on the human\u2019s bones. She also determines in which order skeletal wounds occurred. Finally, she writes her findings in a report to the case\u2019s medical examiner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"\\u0022Your job is to present the facts, scientific facts, and that's it.\\u0022\",\"textColor\":\"indigo_400\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-indigo-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Your job is to present the facts, scientific facts, and that's it.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Ross helped investigators determine how a North Carolina woman was murdered in 2011. Laura Ackerson, of Kinston, was 27 when she went missing that summer. Days later, her dismembered remains were found in a creek. Ross tested a specific power saw on porcine bone and found its marks matched those left on Ackerson\u2019s bones. Ackerson\u2019s ex-boyfriend and his then-wife were charged with and found guilty in Ackerson\u2019s murder.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In a way, her work gives a voice to the victims. In studying their remains, Ross speaks on behalf of those who can no longer speak for themselves.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThese people that usually end up here are the marginalized in life, and they're also kind of marginalized after death,\u201d Ross said. \u201cYou are their advocate.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/highlight {\"teaser\":\"Your source for the latest research and innovation coming out of NC State.\",\"callToAction\":\"Discover more stories\",\"imageID\":483128} -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-highlight with-image\"><h2 class=\"highlight__label\">Related<\/h2><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/results\/\" class=\"highlight__link\" data-ua-cat=\"Highlight Block\" data-ua-action=\"Story Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/results\/\"><div class=\"highlight__image-container\"><div class=\"highlight__image-background\"><img class=\"highlight__image wp-image-483128\" alt=\"An unedited polarized light microscope image shows the crystal formation of a special type polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) solvent-casted with chloroform.\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/envisioning-research.jpg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"highlight__text-container\"><h3 class=\"highlight__heading\">Results Magazine<\/h3><p class=\"highlight__teaser\">Your source for the latest research and innovation coming out of NC State.<\/p><p class=\"highlight__cta\"><span>Discover more <\/span><span class=\"nowrap\"><span>stories&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/highlight -->"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Biological Sciences Professor Ann Ross examines the remains of humans to help determine how they died. She teaches NC State students how to do the same.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"ncstate_wire","ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[5],"class_list":["post-1313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-_from-newswire-collection-6"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1313"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2153,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313\/revisions\/2153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}