ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 11

Analysis of Six Vietnamese Trophy Skulls
Sledzik, PS
Curator, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology AFIP-NMHM, DC

Ousley, S
Graduate assistant, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, TN

(Received 2 April 1990; accepted 24 April 1990)

Abstract

This report presents morphologic, metric, and contextual information on six documented trophy skull specimens confiscated from U.S. servicemen during the Victnam War. Additional information on the history and occurrence of trophy skull collecting is provided. This sample, consisting mostly of young Vietnamese males, exhibits graffiti, painting, and other evidence of postmortem decorative modification. Identification of trophy skulls is important to medicolegal and anthropological researchers in distinguishing trophy remains from archacological and forensic specimens.

Keywords:
physical anthropology, musculoskeletal system, human identification, trophy skull, Vietnam War

Paper ID: JFS13053J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13053J
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