9781422273432

Work and Travel Forensic anthropologists work with human remains. Whether they unearth bones in an excavation or analyze human remains discovered at a crime scene, some of the work involves unpleasant sights, smells, and health hazards. The American Board of Forensic Anthropology notes, “Working with human remains can be smelly.” The smells may be unpleasant, but a greater danger comes from the risk of infection. Forensic anthropologists work in labs with fume hoods to reduce odors, and use tools including exam tables, dissection equipment, microscopes, and other technology such as CT scanners. Forensic anthropologists can travel to remote locations to recover and study remains. They also can be required to trek across rough territory or to work in extreme weather, from desert heat to frozen Arctic tundra. They will wear protective clothing while working at crime scenes and historical excavations. Forensic anthropologists can also use high- tech equipment to discover the location of remains, including aerial surveys, magnetometers, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Changing Practices Like all areas of study, the field of forensic anthropology continues to evolve. New discoveries, scientific advances, and ethical considerations have all led forensic anthropologists to modify their practices over time. One current controversial issue that might change forensic practices in the future is the threat to privacy posed by DNA databases. In some instances when a person has taken a genetic test voluntarily, such as to discover more about his or her ancestry, law enforcement agencies have been able to access their genetic data to help solve crimes. The data of the person’s distant relatives may also be accessible due to shared heredity and similarity in DNA. Proponents of this method say it helps law enforcement resolve cases and bring perpetrators to justice. Opponents argue that such collection of DNA data is a gross violation of privacy, and risks wrongly implicating people in crimes. Respect for the Dead Forensic anthropology is a relatively new branch of anthropology and the criminal justice system. In the beginning, only a few people studied bones. They had limited equipment and were discovering the science as they went along. One approach taken by some early physical or forensic

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Forensic Anthropology