Forensic Anthropology

Catalog description

This course studies the field dealing with human skeletal remains resulting from death and trauma. Both osteology (bones) and odontology (teeth) will be investigated. Students will learn the techniques involved including basic human skeletal analysis; preliminary examination methods; burial aspects; distinguishing human from animal remains; identifying the sex of an individual; estimating the age of death; calculating stature; as well as trauma analysis of different types (e.g., blunt, sharp, projectile). It will review the methods used to estimate an individual's ancestry and the methodological obstacles related to those methods. Examine the ethical and legal obligations of forensic anthropologists.