Forensic anthropology

Forensic science
Physiological sciences
Forensic anthropology Forensic archaeology Forensic odontology Forensic entomology Forensic pathology Forensic botany Forensic biology DNA profiling Bloodstain pattern analysis Forensic chemistry Forensic osteology
Social sciences
Forensic psychology Forensic psychiatry
Forensic criminalistics
Ballistics Ballistic fingerprinting Body identification Fingerprint analysis Forensic accounting Forensic arts Forensic footwear evidence Forensic toxicology Questioned document examination Vein matching
Digital forensics
Computer forensics Database forensics Mobile device forensics Network forensics Forensic video
Related disciplines
Fire investigation Detection of fire accelerants Forensic engineering Forensic linguistics Forensic materials engineering Forensic polymer engineering Vehicular accident reconstruction
People
William M. Bass George W. Gill Richard Jantz Edmond Locard Douglas W. Owsley Auguste Ambroise Tardieu Juan Vucetich
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Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology and human osteology in a legal setting, most often in criminal cases where the victim's remains are in the advanced stages of decomposition. A forensic anthropologist can assist in the identification of deceased individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated or otherwise unrecognizable. The adjective "Forensic" refers to the application of this subfield of science to a court of law.

Overview

Forensic anthropologists can help identify skeletonized human remains, such as these found lying in scrub in Western Australia, circa 1900–1910.

Forensic anthropological techniques can be used to assist in the recovery of remains, assess age, sex, stature, ancestry, race, and analyze trauma and disease. Forensic anthropologists frequently work in conjunction with forensic pathologists, odontologists, and homicide investigators to identify a decedent, discover evidence of trauma, and determine the postmortem interval. Though they typically lack the legal authority to declare the official cause of death, which is the job of forensic pathologists, their opinions are taken into consideration by the medical examiner. They may also testify in court as expert witnesses. Data from some infrequently used techniques, such as forensic facial reconstruction, are inadmissible as forensic evidence in the United States.

In the United States

Physical anthropology is one of the divisions of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Two of the most important research collections of human skeletal remains in the U.S. are the Hamann-Todd Collection, housed in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Terry Collection, housed in the Smithsonian Institution. These collections are an important historic basis for the statistical analysis necessary to make estimates and predictions from found remains. More modern collections include the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Practitioners

There are few people who identify themselves as forensic anthropologists, and in the United States and Canada, there are fewer than 100 Anthropologists certified as Diplomates of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology(DABFA). Most Diplomates work in the academic field and consult on casework as it arises.

Notable forensic anthropologists

• Mildred Trotter (1899–1991)
• Ellis R. Kerley (1924–1998)
• John Lawrence Angel (1915–1988)
• William R. Maples (1937–1997)
• George W. Gill (University of Wyoming, Emeritus)
• William M. Bass (University of Tennessee, Emeritus) DABFA
• Sue Black (University of Dundee, UK)
• Jane E. Buikstra (Arizona State University) DABFA
• Karen Ramey Burns (1948-2012)
• Michael Finnegan (Kansas State University) DABFA
• Elizabeth Murray (College of Mount St. Joseph) DABFA
• Fredy Peccerelli (Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation)
• Kathy Reichs (University of North Carolina at Charlotte) DABFA
• Clyde Snow (Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team) DABFA
• Douglas H. Ubelaker (Smithsonian Institution, George Washington University) DABFA
• Hugh E. Berryman (Middle Tennessee State University) DABFA

See also

• Craniofacial anthropometry
• Physical Anthropology
• Bioarchaeology
• Forensic archaeology
• Fordisc
• Forensic pathology
• Forensic odontology
• Forensics
• Forensic facial reconstruction

External links

Universities in the UK

• University of Bournemouth
• University of Edinburgh
• university of Dundee

Other

• American Board of Forensic Anthropology
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences
• American Association of Physical Anthropologists
• ForensicAnth.com - Forensic anthropological news stories from across the globe
• The Why Files: Bodies and Bones
• Maples Center for Forensic Medicine at the University of Florida
• Struers replica technique for forensic investigation
• Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation (Spanish)
• The Forensic Anthropology Forum - forensic anthropology news and continuing education
• Forensic Anthropology - Theoretical and Practical Information
• Forensic Anthropology Summer Camp - Experience