Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology is the physical or biological studies of a human skeleton. The purpose of a forensic anthropologist is to discover secrets hidden in bones. Forensic anthropologists are trained physical anthropologists. The difference between the two are the amount of knowledge involved in forensic anthropology. In forensic anthropology science, biology, and culture are applied to the legal process.

After that they “analyze bones to determine the victim's biological profile” as it is said in “What is Forensic Anthropology” by R.U. Steinberg.

Description: Forensic Anthropologists helps to study the skeletal systems of people to determine the sex, ethnicity, and distinct characteristics of the dead skeleton they are studying.

What can the distribution of bones tell a forensic scientist? What do you think would be the most challenging aspect of collecting skeletal remains at a crime scene?

“This is my lab and what we do is study bones,” states Kari Bruwelheide in her video entitled “30,000 Skeletons”. Out of all three resources, “Puzzles of the Chesapeake” by Sally Walker, “Forensic Anthropology” by an unknown author, and “30,000 Skeletons” by Smithsonian Education, but presented by Kari Bruwelheide, “30,000 Skeletons” is by far better at explaining the role of an anthropologist. It is unbeatable because it is a video and Kari Bruwelheide has personal experience of being a forensic anthropologist. A forensic anthropologist is a scientist that studies human remains, or in another word, skeletons, to try to find out information.

Forensic anthropologist work with law enforcement agencies and assist in processing skeletal evidence. They study bones, a field known as osteology, and profile research subjects by gathering information used to determine the individuals ages at death, sex, and physical condition. They are expected to use scientific standards in their work.

The forensic anthropology class drew my immense focus, because it is a subject I am fascinated with

The density of bones progressively decreases from the ages of 41 to 60. The weight and height of the bones also helped differentiate between the males

Forensic anthropologist knowledge of the human body, helps aid in the outcome of a death investigation. (Stanojevich) To help solve criminal trials, the systematic recovery and collection of physical evidence in the field, the scientific analysis in the laboratory and the protection of integrity of evidence, is crucial. Usually, response teams from either federal, state, or local authorities will gather and examine the physical evidence of a crime scene, but there are often times, when a forensic anthropologist is called in. Forensic anthropologist are major players, because they are trained in anthropology, archaeology, human osteology, forensic taphonomy, and chain-of-evidence procedures. Their study of human remains, aids in the case by working to assess the age, sex, stature, ancestry and unique features of a skeleton. Forensic anthropologist have been used to investigate victims of homicide, accidental deaths, natural deaths, and mass fatalities. The cases a forensic anthropologist works on usually involve victims that are decomposed, skeletonized, or have body parts that are missing. Often times, the forensic anthropologist, is the last chance for identification and justice for the victims. (Walsh-Haney)

Forensic Anthropologist work with the law enforcement agencies and assist in processing skeletal evidence. They gather profile research to determine individual's age at death, sex, ethnicity, and physical condition. They also aid in locating and removing human remains, conducting dental analysis, determining time of death, evaluate trauma to bones, and presenting a professional testimony in court.

(Wood, 2014) The role of a forensic Anthropologist is very important in any death investigation, since forensic anthropologist understand the different physical properties of skeleton, demonstrating a crucial value to the field of forensic science. (Stanojevich, 2012) Standard work of forensic

One morning a couple was out jogging when they stumbled upon human remains. A decision was made to bring in the forensic anthropologist team. To bring light to this mysterious death several things had to occur. Firstly the forensic team had to analyze features of bone to determine as much as possible, that includes; the person’s gender, ethnic origin, age, and height.

When a person dies, the natural forces of decomposition cause for the soft tissue to breakdown and ultimately disappear over time. If enough time has gone by, any soft tissue evidence present at the time of death will also have disappeared. Once this has occurred, it is up to forensic anthropologists to analyze the skeletal remains for evidence of trauma in order to help the forensic pathologist assign a cause and manner of death to this individual. The task is complicated by the similarities between antemortem and perimortem injuries, the presence of skeletal anomalies, as well as the postmortem changes that can occur when skeletal remains are exposed to the elements of nature.

ForensicOrensic anthropology is the examination of human skeletal remains for law enforcement agencies to determine the identity of unidentified bones. That is the definition of forensic anthropology. This paper will discuss the study of forensic anthropology: the education needed, how to study the remains, and work activities.

Forensic anthropology is a science that involves scientific observation and techniques that enable forensic scientist to identify and analyse human remains to aid a criminal investigation (Black, 2003). Sex and age determination are very important features when examining human remains, given that they help to build a biological profile of the human remains (Byers, 2010).