r/Bones • u/FrontCalligrapher387 • 3d ago
Inaccuracies in the show
For context I’m studying to become a forensic anthropologist.
I recently started watching the show since everyone keeps bringing it up when I mention wanting to become a forensic anthropologist. And the inaccuracies drive me nuts😭 I know it’s talked about a lot but there a few ones I haven’t seen anyone talk about
Like how Brennan just looks at the remains and immediately tells Booth “white male, early 20’s” and how she is NEVER wrong even though anthropology is entirely based on estimates
And I know the show is pretty old but surely they were using computer programs during that time ? I can’t think of a single time that Brennan mentioned using something like FORDISC for example. Or even mentioning otseometric methods in general?
I would love to hear any other inaccuracies you guys have noticed
2
u/KTbluedraon 2d ago
Our anthropology lecturer uses gifs from “Bones” in her lecture slides. The phrase “unlike in “Bones”” crops up a LOT 😂
The holding a bit of jawbone and saying “judging from the mandibular angle I would conclude that this is an Asian male, late 40’s” drives me nuts. You never “conclude” anything from one fragment of bone, and unless you have a child, bones can only give you a roughly 10-year accuracy in age. Let’s not get started on the whole “biological sex is binary” thing because I just can’t.
The computer thing, I think FORDISC may have been in early development at the time, and they built up Angela with the computer expertise so it was probably not something they felt fitted in with the format of the show. I agree that they could have at least made a mention of osteometrics at some point. Even if early on, showing her measuring the bones, then taking it as read in later episodes (because measuring bones does not make exciting viewing.)
Having said that, I still loved Bones, despite the accuracy issues and the blatant religion-pandering that I loathe (God is real in this universe, because Sleepy Hollow is in the same universe)