A forensic anthropologist is examining a fragmented skull of unknown ancestry. Which combination of cranial features MOST strongly suggests a person of African ancestry (Negroid)?

• A Narrow nasal aperture, sharp sill, triangular palate, narrow interorbital distance
• B Wide nasal aperture, guttered sill, rectangular palate, wide interorbital distance ✓
• C Medium nasal aperture, rounded sill, elliptical palate, moderate interorbital distance
• D Narrow nasal aperture, guttered sill, parabolic palate, wide interorbital distance

Explanation

Negroid (African ancestry) skulls typically show a wide nasal aperture with a guttered (blurred/absent) sill, a rectangular palate, and a wide interorbital distance. Caucasoid skulls have a narrow aperture with a sharp sill, triangular palate, and narrow interorbital distance. The combination in B matches standard anthropological criteria for African ancestry.

Reference: Krogman's The Human Skeleton in Forensic Medicine, 2nd ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.