THEORY AND METHODS OF FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY    1600w

Forensic anthropology can be defined as the study of human skeletal remains in the course of a legal inquiry. It is a sub-discipline of physical anthropology- the study of human evolution as it relates to biological variation and race classification, especially skeletal biology (Ball, 2010; James & Nordby, 2003). Physical anthropology stems from Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, notably that of natural selection. Physical anthropology studies this evolution of man as it relates to biological changes stated by Darwin.

Figure 1 Skeletal remains (St. Thomas University, Department of Anthropology, 2010)The widespread forensic need for expertise in anthropology emerged from the investigation of death and injury for criminal and civil legal inquiries (James & Nordby, 2003). The forensic recovery and examination of human remains cuts across several disciplines and thus involves a team of experts from these disciplines. Often the levels of competencies and expertise cut across the disciplinary boundaries of members of the team (James & Nordby, 2003). According to James and Nordby, although cultural anthropologists are not usually involved in forensic work, forensic anthropologists with expertise in archaeological methods have within the last three decades played prominent roles in recovering human skeletal remains. The forensic anthropologist applies varying scientific methods to examine and obtain extensive measurements from bones in order to give an identity (sex, age, race and stature) to the unidentified skeletal remains (St. Thomas University, 2010). Further analysis may reveal the state of the health of the decedent(s), if they were right or left-handed, if they had a child, and sometimes their occupation could be determined (Nafte, 2000).

Forensic anthropology applies not just in criminal cases in the U.S and England but also in Yugoslavia, Guatemala and Argentina where there have been mass burials, and in concentration camps of World War II (Minnesota State University, 2005-2010). This essay aims to discuss the theory and methods guiding the practice of forensic anthropology. This will be achieved by highlighting the body of knowledge that governs forensic anthropology and by establishing what forensic anthropologists do and how they go about achieving their set objectives.

Theory Governing Forensic Anthropology

Charles Darwin and Anthropology