Expert: John Shea - 12/12/2008

Question
Hello, sir. My name is Jon and I'm the researcher on the Fox television show BONES. It's my job to make sure our program is as accurate as possible and it's for this reason that I'm contacting you today.

I was wondering if you'd be able to help us with a question about palate formation.

Specifically, we want to identify a victim as being Japanese born based on her palate.  What exactly would we look for?  Also it is my understanding that the palate "develops" based on first language spoke.  I would like to confirm that is correct.

We truly appreciate any help you can provide here.

Best wishes,

Jon

Answer
Jon
This is outside my area of expertise, but I am answering anyway because I can point you in the direction of someone who can answer this for you.
Dan Lieberman is one of the world's foremost authorities on the growth of the human skull.  He is a professor of Anthropology at Harvard University (email: Danlieb@fas.harvard.edu).
Though I know only a tiny fraction of what Dan does about skull growth, I have to say that I am highly skeptical that the palate of a Japanese speaker would differ morphologically from those of other people in the way you suggest in your question.  But, ask Dan Lieberman for the definitive answer.
When you write, tell him I suggested you contact him.
Sincerely
John Shea

PS:  Nice show, Bones.  I've only caught it a couple of times, but it is a big hit among my undergrads.