Forensics was something I always wanted to do, but never did. The college I went to did not offer it until after I graduated. I have thought about going back but the huge student loan bill I already have, sort of weighs on that decision. I do love reading about it, watching shows like The New Detectives, etc. So I thought I would try something on my blog and put something about forensics up every Friday.
Today its forensic anthropology (I love big words):
-Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology and human osteology (the study of the human skeleton) in a legal setting, most often in criminal cases where the victim's remains are more or less skeletonized. A forensic anthropologist can also assist in the identification of deceased individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated or otherwise unrecognizable.
Anyone else like the series on fox TV called Bones? It is about Dr. Brennan (called 'bones' by Booth, the special agent she works with) who is a highly skilled forensic anthropologist who the police call when the body is so badly decomposed, burnt or destroyed that nobody else can solve the case. She works with FBI special agent booth as she uses her skills to track down the killers. She also writes book on the side (that info is for all my writing buddies)
Many cases are solved each year because of the study of the human skeleton and also of how the body reacts during decomposition. Patricia Cromwell wrote a book called The Body Farm. Some may wonder is there really a body farm? The answer is yes, The body farm was stared by anthropologist William Bass it is located behind the University of Tennessee medical center. Before he started the body farm there was not a accurate way to study decomposition on a body. Bass decided to start it up in 1981. The farm has donated bodies where they can study the different phases of decomposition on a body to help police have better information of what happened to a body when it has been left out in the elements.
Forensic anthropologist help law enforcement by putting together a profile on the unidentified remains. This profile can help with telling the sex, age, ethnicity, height, length of time since death, and sometimes the evaluation of trauma seen on bones. Today forensic anthropology helps put many criminals behind bars.
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