This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2010) Forensic science Physiological sciences Forensic anthropology Forensic archaeology Forensic dentistry Forensic entomology Forensic pathology Social sciences Forensic psychology Forensic psychiatry Forensic criminalistics Ballistics Ballistic fingerprinting Body identification DNA profiling 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 Related disciplines Fire investigation Detection of fire accelerants Forensic engineering Forensic linguistics Forensic materials engineering Forensic polymer engineering Vehicular accident reconstruction People Auguste Ambroise Tardieu Edmond Locard William M. Bass Juan Vucetich Related articles Crime scene CSI effect Pollen calendar Skid mark Trace evidence Use of DNA in forensic entomology v · d · e

Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology and human osteology (the study of the human skeleton) 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 also 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. Contents 1 Overview 2 In the United States 3 Practitioners 3.1 Notable forensic anthropologists 4 See also 5 References 6 External links // 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, 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, 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).1 Most Diplomates work in the academic field and consult on casework as it arises.

Notable forensic anthropologists Thomas Dwight (1843–1919) Aleš Hrdlička (1869–1943) Earnest Hooton (1887–1954) Mildred Trotter (1899–1991) T. Dale Stewart (1901–1997) Wilton M. Krogman (1903–1987) Ellis R. Kerley (1924–1998) J. Lawrence Angel (1915–1988) William R. Maples (1937–1997) Sheilagh T. Brooks ( 1924–2008) William M. Bass (University of Tennessee, Emeritus) DABFA Hugh E. Berryman (Middle Tennessee State University) DABFA Sue Black (University of Dundee, UK) Jane E. Buikstra (Arizona State University) DABFA Karen Ramey Burns (University of Georgia) Emily Craig ( State Forensic Anthropologist for Kentucky) DABFA Dennis C. Dirkmaat (Mercyhurst College) DABFA Anthony B. Falsetti (International Commission on Missing Persons) DABFA Michael Finnegan (Kansas State University) DABFA Diane L. France (Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, University of Bradford, UK) DABFA William Haglund (Physicians for Human Rights) Lee Meadows Jantz (University of Tennessee) Kewal Krishan (Panjab University) Richard L. Jantz (University of Tennessee, Fordisc) Jerry Melbye (Texas State University, San Marcos) DABFA Susan T. Myster (Hamline University) DABFA Turhon A. Murad (California State University, Chico) DABFA Elizabeth Murray (College of Mount St. Joseph) DABFA Stephen P. Nawrocki (University of Indianapolis) DABFA Stephen Ousley (Mercyhurst College, Fordisc) Douglas Owsley (National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution) Fredy Peccerelli (Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation) Ted A. Rathbun (University of South Carolina) Kathy Reichs (University of North Carolina at Charlotte) DABFA William C. Rodriguez (Armed Forces Institute of Pathology) DABFA Clyde Snow (Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team) DABFA Marcella Sorg (University of Maine) DABFA Sam D. Stout (Ohio State University) DABFA Judy M. Suchey (Los Angeles Coroner's Office) DABFA Steven Symes (Mercyhurst College) DABFA Douglas H. Ubelaker (Smithsonian Institution, George Washington University) DABFA Michael Wade Warren (University of Florida) Daniel J. Wescott (University of Missouri) Walter B. Wood (University of Queensland, Australia) See also Craniofacial anthropometry Physical Anthropology Bioarchaeology Forensic archaeology Fordisc Forensic pathology Forensic odontology Forensics Forensic facial reconstruction

References ^ "American Board of Forensic Anthropology". American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Inc.. http://www.theabfa.org/. Retrieved 2008-03-01.  External links 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)

References ^ "American Board of Forensic Anthropology". American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Inc.. http://www.theabfa.org/. Retrieved 2008-03-01.  External links 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)

References ^ "American Board of Forensic Anthropology". American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Inc.. http://www.theabfa.org/. Retrieved 2008-03-01.  External links 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)

References ^ "American Board of Forensic Anthropology". American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Inc.. http://www.theabfa.org/. Retrieved 2008-03-01.  External links 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)

References ^ "American Board of Forensic Anthropology". American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Inc.. http://www.theabfa.org/. Retrieved 2008-03-01.  External links 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)