What does skeletal trauma analysis investigate?

Skeletal trauma analysis focuses specifically on the investigation of bones and any marks or damage present on them to determine the cause of death or injury. This field utilizes knowledge of osteology, the study of bones, to identify injuries that may have occurred prior to or at the time of death. By examining fractures, lacerations, or other trauma to the skeletal remains, forensic scientists can draw conclusions about the circumstances surrounding a person's demise, including whether the injuries were accidental, self-inflicted, or the result of a homicide.

The other choices do not align with the primary focus of skeletal trauma analysis. For instance, assessing the physical health of living individuals revolves around clinical evaluations and does not specifically relate to bone analysis post-mortem. The behavior of ligaments during physical activity pertains more to biomechanics than to skeletal trauma. Lastly, while bone morphology and how it changes with age is an important aspect of anthropology, it is not the central concern of skeletal trauma analysis, which is primarily concerned with interpreting specific trauma on bones rather than general changes in bone structure over time.