As defined by The American Board of Forensic Anthropology, forensic anthropology is “the application of physical anthropology to the legal process”. Forensic anthropologists utilize archaeological techniques to read and interpret the human skeleton. They undergo extensive training and research to consult on cases that call them to utilize archaeological recovery techniques and laboratory-based analysis of remains. It is a multi-disciplinary field, as forensic anthropologists can work with university faculty for research, government agencies for historical site surveys and excavations, and most commonly with medical examiners for forensic cases and courtroom presentations. It takes the expertise of forensic anthropology to present courtroom testimonies, as it is seen as the last effort to educate the court and “speak for the dead” by answering the medicolegal questions that are pertinent to a case.

For more information, email Amanda M. Agnew, PhD at mandy.agnew@osumc.edu.