According to the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process. The identification of skeletal, badly decomposed, or otherwise unidentified human remains is important for both legal and humanitarian reasons. Forensic anthropologists apply standard scientific techniques developed in physical anthropology to identify human remains, and to assist in the detection of crime.
Forensic anthropologists frequently work in conjunction with forensic pathologists, odontologists, and homicide investigators to identify a decedent, discover evidence of foul play, and/or the postmortem interval. In addition to assisting in locating and recovering suspicious remains, forensic anthropologists work to suggest the age, sex, ancestry, stature, and unique features of a decedent from the skeleton.
The Forensic Anthropologist in Focus
A. Midori Albert, Ph.D.
Dr. A. Midori Albert is Associate Professor of Physical Anthropology at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Education
PhD in anthropology, University of Colorado at Boulder
MA in anthropology, University of Florida
BS in psychology, University of Florida
Research & Applied Interests
Forensic Anthropology:
Human identification and the development of the biological profile: Specific research interests in teenage and young adult skeletal age estimation methods, age-related craniofacial morphologic changes in adults, and decomposition rates and patterns.
Human Osteology:
Bone growth and maturation as affected by environmental stress, developmental asymmetry and its relationship to environmental stress.
Forensic Anthropological Consultations and Instruction:
Search and recovery of human remains, time since death estimations, osteological analyses to establish the biological profile (age, sex, stature, individualizing traits) of unknown skeletons or corroborate identification, and pathology (trauma and disease) assessment from human skeletal remains.
Further Information
Dr Albert's website
This extremely informative resource has been selected for an Award of Excellence, as one of the best educational resources on the Web.
An Introduction to Forensic Anthropology By Myriam Nafte
Book Information
Flesh and Bone: An Introduction to Forensic Anthropology offers the reader a solid background in forensic anthropology by out-lining some of the methods and procedures that best define the discipline. It introduces readers to the rapidly growing area known as forensic science, providing a comprehensive look at many of the participants in the field. Nafte avoids technical terminology whenever possible and includes photographs, charts, and illustrations to complement the text.
The book evolves sequentially, beginning with a discussion of all things forensic and then continuing to detail the broad field of anthropology, the process of death, decomposition, and skeletonization. Methods of identifying the human skeleton, DNA analysis, and the reconstruction of identity are highlighted. The final chapter deals with the modern application of forensic anthropology to human rights missions.
The objectives of the Board are: (a) to encourage the study of, improve the practice of, establish and enhance standards for, and advance the science of forensic anthropology; (b) to encourage and promote adherence to high standards of ethics, conduct, and professional practice in forensic anthropology; (c) to grant and issue certificates, and/or other recognition, in cognizance of special qualification in forensic anthropology to voluntary applicants who conform to the standards established by the Board and who have established their fitness and competence thereof; (d) to inform the appropriate branches of federal and state governments and private agencies of the existence and nature of the ABFA and the professional quality of its Diplomates for the practice of forensic anthropology; (e) to maintain and furnish lists of individuals who have been granted certificates by the Board. In this way the ABFA aims to make available to the judicial system, and others, a practical and equitable system for readily identifying those persons professing to be specialists in forensic anthropology who possess the requisite qualifications and competence.
Extemely useful Forensic Anthropology community on LiveJournal.
Undergraduate or graduate students interested in forensic anthropology can post here, or high school students interested in majoring in anthropology in college and attaining a degree in forensic anthropology.
Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute is the teaching, research, and applied research entity composed of the Anthropology/ Archaeology and Geology departments at Mercyhurst College which shares the twin missions of conducting the highest quality research while intensively training the next generation of archaeologists, anthropologists, forensic anthropologists and geoarchaeologists.
Mercyhurst collge offers undergraduate and postgradute degrees in forensic anthropology. They also offer short courses in identification of human remains in an outdoor setting as well as laboratory methods.
Forensic Anthropology Center: The University of Tennessee
Among many other things, The Forensic Anthropology Center at the The University of Tennessee offers some extremely useful information relating to what forensic anthropology is, what forensic anthropologists do and don't do, what training forensic anthropologists need, where forensic anthropologists work, as well as case scenarios that would employ the services of a forensic anthropologist.
A great collection of forensic science gift ideas will soon be added to our Personality Trait CafePress Store. A forensic anthropology gift range has already been added, see following video.
Any profit made from the Personality Trait CafePress store will be put towards the hosting costs associated with the All About Forensic Psychology website, and the All About Forensic Science website, thereby helping to safeguard their continued production and development.
Forensic Science A-Z (Anthropology)
You can visit the Personality Trait CafePress Store by Clicking Here