ANTH 389: Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology involves using a variety of methods and theories about human biology to answer medical and legal questions. Individuals who work as forensic anthropologists collaborate closely with police officers, lawyers, doctors, medical examiners, and other specialists to identify human remains and analyze skeletal trauma in cases of suspicious and unnatural death. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to the techniques and underlying theory used by anthropologists to recover skeletal remains, reconstruct a biological profile from the skeleton, interpret skeletal trauma, and assist in the identification process. Students will also become familiar with the application of forensic anthropology to issues of human rights and mass fatalities. Prereq: ANTH 103.