Forensic Anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process. The identification of skeletal, badly decomposed, or otherwise unidentified human remains is important for both legal and humanitarian reasons. Forensic anthropologists apply standard scientific techniques developed in physical anthropology to identify human remains, and to assist in the detection of crime. Forensic anthropologists frequently work in conjunction with forensic pathologists, odontologists, and homicide investigators to identify a decedent, the manner of death, and/or the postmortem interval. In addition to assisting in locating and recovering suspicious remains, forensic anthropologists work to suggest the age, sex, ancestry, stature, and unique features of a decedent from the skeleton.

Forensic Anthropology Links

American Board of Forensic Anthropology

Midwest Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology Association

Forensic Anthropology Bibliography [ biblio links ] [ add a link ]

Iscan and Kennedy,(eds), Reconstruction of Life from the Skeleton, (Wiley-Liss, New York: 1989) ORDER

Iscan, Age Markers in the Human Skeleton, (Charles C Thomas, Springfield, IL: 1989) ORDER

Iscan and Helmer, (eds), Forensic Analysis of the Skull: Craniofacial Analysis, Reconstruction, and Identification, (Wiley-Liss, New York: 1993) ORDER

Haglund and Sorg, Forensic Taphononomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains, (CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL: 1996) ORDER

Krogman and Iscan, The Human Skeleton in Forensic Medicine, (2nd Edition) (Charles C Thomas, Springfield, IL: 1986) ORDER

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