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What is forensic anthropology?
Forensic anthropology is an area of applied anthropology. Anthropology
consists of four subfields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, physical
anthropology and linguistics. Forensic anthropology falls within the
subfield of physical anthropology. Forensic anthropologists apply the
methods and techniques used by physical anthropologists, namely
osteologists and skeletal biologists, to forensic cases. The term
"forensic" simply means, "having to do with law or legal debate."
What do forensic anthropologists do?
They use techniques employed by physical anthropologists to identify
human skeletal remains. They analyze skeletal remains to build a profile
consisting of age, race, sex, height, presence or absence of trauma, and
time since death. The purpose of the profile is to aid law enforcement
in positive identification of an individual when no other means are
available. Sometimes it is not possible to gather all of the pertinent
information because the remains may be badly damaged or fragmented.
Whenever possible, however, forensic anthropologists create a detailed
profile of the remains, with the ultimate goal of positive
identification.
What is the difference between forensic anthropology and forensic pathology?
A forensic anthropologist is a physical anthropologist with specialized
training in osteology and/or skeletal biology. Forensic pathologists are
medical doctors that specialize in forensic pathology. They perform
autopsies in order to establish the cause of death. Forensic
anthropologists concentrate mainly on bony anatomy, whereas, forensic
pathologists concentrate on soft tissue anatomy, internal organs, bodily
fluids, etc.
What kind of job can I get as a forensic anthropologist?
Forensic anthropologists with a graduate degree usually work at a
college or university. Their employment involves teaching physical
anthropology courses, conducting osteological research, and providing
community services and forensic case analysis. Forensic anthropologists
may also seek employment in laboratories such as the FBI, state bureau
of investigation, private firms, or medical/coroner examiners' offices.
They may also work for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command Central
Identification Lab (JPAC CIL) in Hawaii; employees at JPAC CIL search for and recover war casualties from
World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Recently, many
forensic anthropologists and graduate students have provided assistance
in identifying human remains in Bosnia and Iraq.
How can I
learn clay facial reconstruction techniques?
To learn clay facial reconstructions one should investigate the
forensic sculpture workshops available. The internet will give you
information about several sources as well as other information about the
field of forensic art. The following links may be of particular
assistance.
www.sculpture.outreach.ou.edu/
http://www.forensicartist.com/links.html
http://www.theiai.org.certifications/
http://www.scottsdaleartschool.org
http://www.karenttaylor.com/
Currently, LSU does not
offer a degree in forensic science. However, you do not need
a degree in “forensic science” to get a job as a forensic
investigator.
The following general information is designed for students who would like to have a career in forensic science or crime scene investigation (CSI). Carefully read all of the following information.
I want to do forensic science - like what they do on ‘CSI’.
I want
to work in a crime lab - What do I major in?
I want
to do DNA analysis - What do I major in?
Should
I get a graduate degree in Forensic Science?
I don’t
want to do lab work. Are there jobs where you can work outside
the lab?
I want
to be an investigator - What do I major in?
Other
things to consider...
“I want to do forensic science - like what they do on ‘CSI’.”
To Begin With...
“CSI” as seen on popular television shows is not real. No one does what they do on CSI. In reality, investigating a crime involves many people from different agencies, including the police and sheriff’s departments, coroner or medical examiner’s office, the District Attorney’s Office, and crime laboratories.
Saying you want to be in “forensic science” is like saying you want to be a “doctor” - there are many different areas within forensic science in which you can specialize. The student must take the time to explore the field and consider in which area of forensic science s/he wants to work. Some of these areas include:
| DNA Analysis | Death Investigation |
| Toxicology | Pathology |
| Forensic Engineering | Anthropology |
| Odontology | Entomology |
| Evidence Collection and Analysis | |
A good book that provides information on several of these disciplines is called Cool Careers for Girls as Crime Solvers, by Ceel Pasternak and Linda Thornburg, (2001). Other information can be found at the library or via the internet.
Some of these
fields require a specialized or graduate degree, such as a
medical degree (pathology, odontology), Master’s or PhD
(engineering, anthropology, entomology). Advanced degrees can
take anywhere from two to ten years of school in addition to
your Bachelor’s degree. If you are interested in one of these
fields, you should consult the undergraduate advisor in the
Department of Biological Sciences, Anthropology, or Entomology.
top
I want to work in a crime lab - What do I major in?
At this
time, LSU does not offer a degree in “forensic science.”
However, you do NOT need a degree in forensic science to work in
a crime lab.
In general, you are eligible to work in a crime lab if you complete the
requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological
Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or Chemistry (the
exception to this is DNA analysis - see below). If you are
hired by a crime lab, you receive “on-site” training, where you
learn how to collect and process evidence according to your
lab’s established protocol. Additionally, in the process of
obtaining your degree, you should have courses in public
speaking and statistics, as you will often have to testify in
court regarding the evidence you process. Ask your
undergraduate advisor to help you choose courses that will cover
these topics, yet be acceptable electives for your degree.
top
I want
to do DNA analysis - What do I major in?
You need to complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science
degree in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or
Chemistry, making sure you take the following courses:
biochemistry (BIOL 4087 or BIOL 4093 and 4094), molecular
genetics (BIOL 4132), biochemistry laboratory (BIOL 4385).
Microbial genetics (BIOL 4246) is also advisable. Additionally,
you should have courses in public speaking and statistics, as
you will have to testify often in court regarding your work.
Ask your undergraduate advisor to help you choose courses that
will cover these topics, yet be acceptable electives for your
degree. As with non-DNA forensic work, if you are hired by a
crime lab, you receive “on-site” training, where you learn how
to collect and process evidence according to your lab’s
established protocol.
top
Should
I get a graduate degree in Forensic Science?
Currently, you do not need to have a graduate degree to find
employment in forensic science. However, it is a very popular
field and as more students graduate with the right
qualifications, the job market eventually will become extremely
competitive. A graduate degree may give you an advantage over
other candidates applying for the same job.
For
information on colleges and universities that offer a specific
degree in forensic science and the various pre-requisites for
entering their programs, visit
www.forensicpage.com/new05.htm.
top
I don’t
want to do lab work. Are there jobs where you can work outside
the lab?
Yes. People who do
the investigative work outside the lab are called investigators
and are employed by the Coroner or Medical Examiner, District
Attorney, Police, or Sheriff’s Department.
top
I want
to be an investigator - What do I major in?
Most death
investigators actually start their career as patrol officers -
that is, as regular policemen/women. After gaining several
years of experience “on the street,” they can apply for a
promotion to homicide investigator. If promoted, the homicide
investigators receive additional training through death
investigation workshops.
Students interested in law enforcement can major in one of
several different areas, some of which include Political
Science, Communication, Business Administration, Criminal
Justice, or Sociology, with a concentration in Criminology. You
can talk with the undergraduate advisors in those departments
for information on the degree requirements for each major.
The type of degree that you get generally is not as important as
other qualities that are required to be a successful
investigator. Such qualities include a desire to do the work,
talent for discerning fact from fiction, common sense, the
ability to handle horrific sights and smells, and tenacity to
sift through and follow up leads. Also, a working knowledge of
basic science and DNA is important.
top
Other
things to consider...
When you apply for a job in forensic science, you will have to
submit to the following:
-
Background checks
-
Polygraph tests
-
Drug tests
Other Skills Necessary are:
-
Good writing skills are essential for reports.
-
Public-speaking skills are essential for court.
-
Interpersonal communication skills are essential for talking to witnesses.
-
Organizational skills are important.
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