16 Facts About Forensic anthropology

1.

Forensic anthropology is the application of the anatomical science of anthropology and its various subfields, including forensic archaeology and forensic taphonomy, in a legal setting.

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2.

Forensic anthropology anthropologists are instrumental in the investigation and documentation of genocide and mass graves.

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3.

The field of forensic anthropology grew during the twentieth century into a fully recognized forensic specialty involving trained anthropologists as well as numerous research institutions gathering data on decomposition and the effects it can have on the skeleton.

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4.

Today, forensic anthropology is a well-established discipline within the forensic field.

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5.

The field of Forensic anthropology began in the United States and struggled to obtain recognition as a legitimate science during the early years of the twentieth century.

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6.

Earnest Hooton pioneered the field of physical Forensic anthropology and became the first physical anthropologist to hold a full-time teaching position in the United States.

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7.

Forensic anthropology was an organizing committee member of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists along with its founder Ales Hrdlicka.

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8.

The use of criminal Forensic anthropology to try to explain certain criminal behaviors arose out of the eugenics movement, popular at the time.

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9.

Todd's contributions to the field of Forensic anthropology remain in use in the modern era and include various studies regarding suture closures on the skull and timing of teeth eruption in the mandible.

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10.

Public attention and interest in forensic anthropology began to increase around this time as forensic anthropologists started working on more high-profile cases.

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11.

Forensic anthropology anthropologists are then unable to provide meaningful analyses on retrieved skeletal remains due to damage or contamination.

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12.

Forensic anthropology archaeologists are often contracted to assist with the processing of mass graves by larger organisations that have motives related to exposure and prosecution rather than providing peace of mind to families and communities.

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13.

Forensic anthropology taphonomy is the study of these postmortem changes to human remains caused by soil, water, and the interaction with plants, insects, and other animals.

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14.

Forensic anthropology taphonomy is divided into two separate sections, biotaphonomy and geotaphonomy.

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15.

Typically, forensic anthropologists obtain doctorates in physical anthropology and have completed coursework in osteology, forensics, and archaeology.

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16.

Forensic anthropology anthropologists are usually employed in academia either at a university or a research facility.

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