Forensic anthropology

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.

Using physical markers present on a skeleton, a forensic anthropologist can potentially determine a person's age, sex, stature, and race.

The methods used to identify a person from a skeleton relies on the past contributions of various anthropologists and the study of human skeletal differences.

At one house, the archeology team found a bloodstain under ash that they determined was the outline of a body, later identified through DNA analysis.

The field of anthropology began in the United States and struggled to obtain recognition as a legitimate science during the early years of the twentieth century.

[13] Now considered a pseudoscience, criminal anthropologists believed that phrenology and physiognomy could link a person's behavior to specific physical characteristics.

The study of this information helped shape anthropologists' understanding of the human skeleton and the multiple skeletal differences that can occur.

Another prominent early anthropologist, Thomas Wingate Todd, was primarily responsible for the creation of the first large collection of human skeletons in 1912.

[14] Todd's contributions to the field of anthropology remain in use in the modern era and include various studies regarding suture closures on the skull and timing of teeth eruption in the mandible.

The sudden influx of available skeletons for anthropologists to study, whose identities were eventually confirmed, allowed for the creation of more accurate formulas for the identification of sex, age,[16] and stature[17] based solely on skeletal characteristics.

One of the major cases of the era involved anthropologist Charles Merbs who helped identify the victims murdered by Ed Gein.

[24] In addition, forensic anthropologists are generally unable to make a sex determination unless the individual was an adult at the time of death.

[25] Consequently, there is currently no reliable method of sex determination of juvenile remains from cranial or post-cranial skeletal elements since dimorphic traits only become apparent after puberty, and this represents a fundamental problem in archaeological and forensic investigations.

[29][30][31] Examination of internal dental tissues has also shown that male teeth consist of absolutely and proportionately greater quantities of dentine than females.

[42] The degree of rounding from arthritis coupled with the size and number of osteons can help an anthropologist narrow down a potential age range for the individual.

[43] It is used to confirm if an individual has reached a specific age threshold in cases of criminal liability, asylum seekers and unaccompanied children, human trafficking, adoption, and competitive sports.

[53] By measuring distances between landmarks on the skull as well as the size and shape of specific bones, anthropologists can use a series of equations to estimate ancestry.

[55] Research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists concluded that ForDisc ancestry determination was not always consistent, and that the program should be used with caution.

[61] Their training extends further to observing context, association and significance of objects in a crime scene and drawing conclusions that may be useful for locating a victim or suspect.

[62] A forensic archaeologist must also be able to utilize a degree of creativity and adaptability during times when crime scenes can not be excavated using traditional archaeological techniques.

This instance required unique methods unlike those of a typical archeological excavation in order to exhume and preserve the contents of the tank.

The loose soil and increasing nutrients from the decomposing body encourages different kinds of plant growth than surrounding areas.

Forensic anthropologists are then unable to provide meaningful analyses on retrieved skeletal remains due to damage or contamination.

The capability to uncover information about victims of war crimes or homicide may present a conflict in cases that involve competing interests.

Forensic archaeologists are often contracted to assist with the processing of mass graves by larger organisations that have motives related to exposure and prosecution rather than providing peace of mind to families and communities.

These projects are at times opposed by smaller, human rights groups who wish to avoid overshadowing memories of the individuals with their violent manner(s) of death.

Forensic taphonomy is the study of these postmortem changes to human remains caused by soil, water, and the interaction with plants, insects, and other animals.

Geotaphonomy examinations can include how the soil was disturbed, pH alteration of the surrounding area, and either the acceleration or deceleration of plant growth around the body.

In addition it is recommended that individuals take courses in a wide range of sciences such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, and genetics.

It is also recommended that individuals looking to pursue a forensic anthropology profession get experience in dissection usually through a gross anatomy class as well as useful internships with investigative agencies or practicing anthropologists.