ANT 206 - Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

Broad overview of the role of the forensic anthropologist in medico-legal investigations, emphasizing types of information available through skeletal analysis. Topics include human osteology, techniques of forensic recovery, identification of decedents through skeletal analysis, estimation of post-mortem interval and analysis of trauma and pathology. Also listed at CRM 206. Fulfills: GE 3, GE 12, LASR. (3 cr. hr.)
Frequency code B = offered at least once per year

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate competency and proficiency in the following content areas of forensic anthropology:

• Human osteology (i.e., identification of bones in the human body)
• Bone cellular and macroscopic biology
• Human skeletal and dental variation
• The role of the forensic anthropologist in crime scene investigation
• Establishing the forensic context
• Crime scene identification, survey techniques and recovery of evidence and human remains
• Assessment of the biological profile (age, sex, ancestry, stature)
• Methods of individuation
• Cause and manner of death
• Mechanics, timing, and classes of trauma
• Postmortem taphonomic processes
• Estimation of postmortem interval
• Evidentiary standards for scientific evidence
• Ethical issues related to study of human skeletal remains

2. Demonstrate competency and proficiency in the ability to apply anthropological methods of observation, data collection and evaluation to human skeletal remains.

3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills as they relate to the topics of human variation, race and ancestry; sex and gender; and the evaluation of evidentiary standards for scientific evidence as they apply to anthropological data.

4. Demonstrate effective written communication skills.

5. Demonstrate the ability to design a literature-review based research project.