Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. Examine the foundational role of forensic anthropology within the broader forensic sciences which involves analyzing human skeletal remains for medico-legal applications, covering the history of the field and its development. Build theoretical knowledge of the discipline including the history of how the discipline developed and its role in the broader forensic sciences and international, federal and state levels. Apply proper anatomical terminology, taphonomy and comparative morphological methods to discuss and describe skeletal trauma, pathologies and anomalies. Apply and practice methods used to create a "biological profile" for an individual by estimating sex, age, stature and ancestry. Explore scene recovery methods and how skeletal analysis is applied in a variety of contexts, including routine casework, large-scale natural disasters, war casualties and human rights investigations. Critically discuss and analyze forensic methods by addressing the practical and ethical issues facing practicing forensic anthropologists today. TOPICS AND THEMES. Consider the history and foundations of forensic anthropology; study the broader medicolegal system, professional ethics and error assessment; apply osteological methods and anatomical terminology to describing human skeletal material; describe scene recovery methods such as location, recovery and taphonomic processes; apply and critically examine methods for estimating sex, age, stature and ancestry; identify and classify infectious disease, congenital conditions and nutritional deficiencies on the skeleton and teeth; explore individual identification techniques such as facial reconstruction and genetic genealogy; critically assess how forensic anthropology is portrayed in popular culture and the media. Discuss current topics considered relevant to the field by the American Academy of Forensic Science including, but not limited to, research ethics, reassessment of biological profile estimation methods and demographic underrepresentation in comparative collections.