Human skeletal evidence: Perspectives for narcotrafficking group identifications through modus operandi from the medico-legal department in Heredia, Costa Rica

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Anthropology; Botany; Conservation Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Science; Geosciences; Mathematics & Computer Science; Neuroscience; Physics & Eng; Science Education; Terrestrial Ecology & Management.
  In Poster Session: Anthropology Poster Session

Abstract

After attending this poster, attendees will obtain a better understanding of the effects of the growth of narcotrafficking in Costa Rica and its influence on Forensic Anthropology and human skeletal analysis.
In recent years global homicide rates have increased in startling proportions, globally, due to a variety of factors. On such factor, the influence of narcotrafficking has impacted Latin American homicide rates causing them to rise to epidemic levels. In particular, Costa Rica represents prime example of where a distinguishable and direct correlation between the presence of narcotrafficking and an increase in homicides can be demonstrated. Costa Rica has become an epicenter for violent crimes due to the influence of illicit drugs traveling through their country’s permeable borders. With these growing rates of homicide, this study addresses a significant foundational research gap in understanding the modus operandi of narcotrafficking groups.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate evidence of violence inflicted by narcotraffickers. Specifically, sharp force and ballistic trauma, such as dismemberment and gunshot trauma, found on skeletal remains were analyzed using an osteological sample of 6 individuals from the Medico-Legal Department in San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia, Costa Rica. Geographical location and narcotrafficking group association were assessed from the context of the reports. Using JMP Pro 12, multi-factor ANOVA models were performed correlating studied variables to the particular narcotrafficking group association and corresponding geographical location. To date, no other investigation of this nature has been performed in Costa Rica sampling the population used in this study.

Authors

• Kashmiere Nicole McGee, Texas Tech University

• Paola Prada, TTU Research professor PhD.