A career takes form: Ellis Kerley's tenure at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (1957-1966).

From 1957 to 1966, Ellis Kerley was employed at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) in Washington, DC. Kerley worked in the Orthopedic Pathology section under the supervision of Lent C. Johnson, MD. As the only staff anthropologist at the AFIP, he lectured, conducted research, and consulted on forensic cases. His best-known research completed during these years was the osteon aging technique. He also conducted research and lectured on paleopathology and skeletal identification. Kerley's AFIP experience aided him in pursuing a distinguished career as a forensic scientist, within both academia and the federal government.     

Healing following cranial trauma

This paper reports on the gross appearance of the initial osseous response following cranial gunshot wounds. A total of 127 adult crania and cranial sections were analyzed for four types of bone response: osteoblastic, osteoclastic, line of demarcation, and sequestration. In general, no osteoblastic or osteoclastic response was noted during the first week. This response was followed by an increasing prevalence of expression after this time. By the sixth week postfracture both osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity was scored for 100% of the sample. Further, our observations suggest that the line of demarcation may establish the boundary between the living bone and bone not surviving the fracture. Sequestration appears to be a long-term event and was scored as present well past the eighth week of healing. The osseous expression of infection following fracture was also considered.     

Analysis of six Vietnamese trophy skulls

This report presents morphologic, metric, and contextual information on six documented trophy skull specimens confiscated from U.S. servicemen during the Vietnam 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 archaeological and forensic specimens.