Forensic Anthropology

Charged with identifying human remains that are no longer visibly recognizable, a forensic anthropologist must work closely with, and is dependent on, the expertise of the crime scene investigator, ballistics expert, forensic chemist, fingerprint expert and forensic pathologist. In addition to an introduction to the forensic sciences and the role of a forensic anthropologist, students will explore:

  • An introduction to human skeletal remains
  • Field methods
  • Laboratory analysis
  • The axial skeleton
  • The appendicular skeleton
  • Skeletal evidence of trauma and disease
  • Laboratory analysis of skeletal material
  • The determination of age, sex, race, stature and handedness
  • Tools of the forensic anthropologist
  • Excavation techniques for human remains
  • Forensic odontology
  • Forensic entymology
  • The determination of time and location of death
  • Investigations of human rights abuses
  • Scientific human rights missions
    • Obtaining permission and planning forensic anthropology international
  • Human rights investigations
  • Professional ethics for the forensic anthropologist
  • Demonstrating respect for the dead
  • Honesty in courtroom testimony

Laboratory explorations will include:

  • Human skeletal remains
  • The axial skeleton
  • The appendicular skeleton
  • Crime scene investigation
  • Plaster casting
  • Forensic odontology
  • Laboratory explorations
  • Human bite marks
  • Forensic entymology
  • Determination of time of death
  • Fiber analysis

Want to learn more?

If you would like to learn more about forensic anthropology, the following are required texts for the course.

  • "Forensic Anthropology," Karen Ramey Burns, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1999
  • "A Photographic Atlas for the Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory," by Kent M. Van DeGraaff, and John L. Crawley, Morton Publishing Co., 4th ed., 1999
  • Forensic Entymology and the Establishment of Time of Death Handouts
  • "Deja Dead," Kathy Reichs