Further definition of the term is necessary to understand the scope and basis of forensic anthropology. Anthropology alone is the study of humans. Anthropologists are interested in culture (cultural anthropologists), language (linguistic anthropologists), the physical remains or artifacts left behind by human occupation (archaeologists), and human remains (biological anthropologists).
Over the past century, biological anthropologists have developed methods to evaluate bones to understand people who lived in the past. Such questions might include: Was this individual male or female? How old were they when they died? How tall were they? Were the people in good or poor general health?
Forensic anthropology involves the application of these same methods to modern cases of unidentified human remains. Through established methods, a forensic anthropologist can aid law enforcement in establishing a profile of unidentified remains. The profile includes sex, age, population affinity, height, length of time since death, and sometimes the evaluation of trauma observed on bones.
In many cases after the identity of an individual is made, the forensic anthropologist is called to testify in court regarding the identity of the remains and/or the trauma or wounds present on the remains.
What Do Forensic Anthropologists Do?
Forensic anthropologists are commonly portrayed in the media as forensic scientists and/or crime scene technicians, but this is not accurate. Forensic anthropologists are employed primarily at universities and forensic facilities around the world. Most forensic anthropologists teach and perform research in other areas of anthropology in addition to their casework. Some forensic anthropologists are employed in forensic facilities where they work closely with medical examiners or forensic pathologists.
Generally, forensic anthropologists DO NOT do any of the following:
- Collect trace evidence (hair, fibers)
- Run DNA tests
- Analyze ballistics or weapon evidence
- Analyze blood spatter
- Conduct autopsies
What a forensic anthropologist DOES do to aid in a case:
- Assist law enforcement with the location and recovery of human remains at crime scenes
- Cleans the bones so that they may be examined
- Analyze skeletal remains to establish the biological profile of the individual
- Interpret trauma evident on the bones to establish the type and extent of injuries
- Testifies in court about the identity of the individual and/or the injuries that might be evident in the skeleton
- Estimate the time since death
What Does it Take to Become a Forensic Anthropologist?
This information is geared towards high school, undergraduate, or new graduate students who are interested in forensic anthropology and want to know more about the discipline.
The road to forensic anthropology can be a long one, but it is also very fulfilling. Using your skills to help law enforcement agencies resolve crimes and mysteries is rewarding. But be prepared – it involves years of study and training in school. You will need to earn a PhD degree in order to practice forensic anthropology, and that means at least another eight to ten years of school after you graduate from high school!
The overwhelming majority of forensic anthropologists work in universities. This means you will be a college professor who teaches physical anthropology most of the time and works on forensic anthropology cases some of the time.
You also must consider if you can deal with the sights, smells, and impact of death. Truly, this work is not for the faint of heart – sights, sounds, odors and the tangible products of human decomposition are everyday occurrences. Also, you will run across many sad and disturbing cases that might affect you, so please make sure you are prepared. The good news is, however, that most people who are serious about becoming forensic anthropologists are able to overcome these obstacles.
Good Advice
Midori Albert, a forensic anthropologist at UNCW, has prepared her “Frequently Asked Questions about Forensic Anthropology” website with answers to questions like what how do I find a graduate program, what college courses do I need, at which universities can I study forensic anthropology, and more.
The American Board of Forensic Anthropology webpage with information that includes facts about forensic anthropology, forensic sciences, job opportunities, universities that offer forensic anthropology programs, and more.
If you think forensic anthropology is for you, your next step is to decide where to go to school. Besides here at The University of Tennessee, there are other undergraduate and graduate programs across the country.