"Forensic anthropology is the application of the anatomical science of anthropology and its various subfields, including forensic archaeology and forensic taphonomy, in a legal setting."
Application of biological anthropology to legal investigations.
Human Osteology: The study of the human skeletal system, including bones, cartilage, and ligaments.
Human Growth and Development: The study of the various biological, psychological, and social changes that human beings undergo from birth until death.
Human Anatomy and Physiology: The study of the structure and function of human body systems and organs.
Human Genetics and Evolution: The study of the inheritance of traits and the mechanisms of evolution that drive biological change over time.
Forensic Anthropology: The application of the principles and techniques of anthropology to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of human remains in a medico-legal context.
Human Rights Investigations: The use of forensic anthropology methods to investigate allegations of human rights abuses and war crimes.
Crime Scene Investigation: The study of the methods and techniques used to investigate and reconstruct crime scenes.
Trauma Analysis: The study of injuries and their associated causes, such as blunt force trauma, sharp force trauma, gunshot wounds, and burns.
Identifying and Individualizing Human Remains: The use of forensic anthropology to identify individuals and distinguish them from one another based on their unique skeletal characteristics.
Anthropometric Analysis: The measurement of different parts of the human body to gather information about an individual's age, sex, ancestry, and other characteristics.
Forensic Taphonomy: The study of the processes that modify human remains after death, such as decomposition, scavenging, and burial.
Facial Reconstruction: The use of scientific methods to create a likeness of an individual's face based on their skull and other skeletal remains.
Dental Analysis: The study of the teeth and their associated structures to gather information about an individual's age, ancestry, diet, and health.
Forensic Entomology: The study of insects and their associated assemblages to estimate the time since death and other post-mortem intervals.
Environmental Forensic Analysis: The study of the environment and ecology to help understand the events that led to death or skeletal deposition.
Firearms and Ballistics Identification: The study of firearms and their associated ammunition to help identify projectiles, cartridge cases, and other related objects related to firearm use.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: The study of blood as it behaves while flowing from a human body or under the impact of an external force to help understand the dynamics of a crime scene.
Digital Forensic Anthropology: The use of digital technologies and computer forensics to analyze and present data in forensic anthropology.
Disaster Victim Identification: The use of forensic anthropology to identify the victims of mass disasters through body processing and allocation.
Scene Assessment and Interpretation Techniques: The application of different methods to assess and interpret crime scenes, such as grid searches, quadrant searches, and photographic documentation.
Skeletal Analysis: The study of bones for determining age, sex, ancestry, trauma, and pathology in criminal investigations or other legal circumstances.
Forensic Archaeology: The application of archaeological methods and techniques to locate, recover, document and preserve evidence in a criminal investigation.
Forensic Odontology: The use of teeth and dental evidence in criminal investigations or other legal cases.
Biomechanical Analysis: The study of the mechanical properties and behavior of bones, joints, and soft tissues to reconstruct traumatic injuries or identify the source of trauma.
Forensic Taphonomy: The study of the changes that occur to human remains after death, such as decomposition and post-mortem animal predation, to estimate the time since death, cause of death and manner of death.
Facial Reconstruction: The development of a composite drawing or three-dimensional model of a person's face based on the characteristics of the individual's skull, as a tool for identification.
DNA Analysis: The use of genetic analysis to identify human remains, people involved in crime or other legal cases, and paternity testing.
Forensic Entomology: The study of the insects found in human remains to estimate the time of death or location of the crime.
Physical Anthropology: The study of human biological variation, such as genetics and morphology, to determine ancestry, relationships, and the identification of remains.
"A forensic anthropologist can assist in the identification of deceased individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated, or otherwise unrecognizable, as might happen in a plane crash."
"Forensic anthropologists are also instrumental in the investigation and documentation of genocide and mass graves."
"Along with forensic pathologists, forensic dentists, and homicide investigators, forensic anthropologists commonly testify in court as expert witnesses."
"A forensic anthropologist can potentially determine a person's age, sex, stature, and race."
"Forensic anthropologists can use skeletal abnormalities to potentially determine cause of death, past trauma such as broken bones or medical procedures, as well as diseases such as bone cancer."
"The methods used to identify a person from a skeleton rely on the past contributions of various anthropologists and the study of human skeletal differences."
"Through the collection of thousands of specimens and the analysis of differences within a population, estimations can be made based on physical characteristics."
"Through these [physical characteristics], a set of remains can potentially be identified."
"The field of forensic anthropology grew during the twentieth century into a fully recognized forensic specialty."
"Along with forensic pathologists, forensic dentists, and homicide investigators, forensic anthropologists commonly testify in court as expert witnesses."
"Forensic anthropology is the application of the anatomical science of anthropology and its various subfields, including forensic archaeology and forensic taphonomy, in a legal setting."
"Forensic anthropologists are also instrumental in the investigation and documentation of genocide and mass graves."
"In addition to identifying physical characteristics of the individual, forensic anthropologists can use skeletal abnormalities to potentially determine cause of death, past trauma such as broken bones or medical procedures, as well as diseases such as bone cancer."
"A forensic anthropologist can assist in the identification of deceased individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated or otherwise unrecognizable, as might happen in a plane crash."
"A forensic anthropologist can assist in the identification of deceased individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated or otherwise unrecognizable."
"Forensic anthropology is the application of the anatomical science of anthropology and its various subfields, including forensic archaeology and forensic taphonomy, in a legal setting."
"Along with forensic pathologists, forensic dentists, and homicide investigators, forensic anthropologists commonly testify in court as expert witnesses."
"The field of forensic anthropology grew during the twentieth century into a fully recognized forensic specialty involving trained anthropologists as well as numerous research institutions gathering data on decomposition and the effects it can have on the skeleton."
"The field of forensic anthropology grew during the twentieth century into a fully recognized forensic specialty involving trained anthropologists as well as numerous research institutions gathering data on decomposition and the effects it can have on the skeleton."