Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Anthropology: Current Methods and Practice, Second Edition, approaches forensic anthropology through an innovative style using current practices and real case studies drawn from the varied experiences, backgrounds and practices of working forensic anthropologists. The book guides the reader through all aspects of human remains recovery and forensic anthropological analysis, presenting principles at a level that is appropriate for those new to the field and incorporating evolutionary, biomechanical and other theoretical foundations for the features and phenomena encountered in forensic anthropological casework.

Attention is focused primarily on the most recent and scientifically valid applications commonly employed by working forensic anthropologists. Readers will learn about innovative techniques and the necessary background needed to work in the field. Instructors and students will find the book to be a comprehensive, practical and relevant source on the modern discipline of forensic anthropology.

Key Features

    Focuses on modern methods, recent advances in research and technology, and current challenges in the science of forensic anthropology
    Addresses issues of international relevance, such as the role of forensic anthropology in mass disaster response and human rights investigations<
    Includes chapter summaries, topic-oriented case studies, keywords and reflective questions to increase active student learning

Table of Contents

    Introduction
    2. Human Osteology and Odontology
    3. Skeletal Examination and Documentation Methods
    4. Medicolegal Significance
    5. Forensic Taphonomy
    6. Forensic Archaeology and Scene Processing Methods
    7. Processing and Preparing Remains
    8. Sex Estimation
    9. Ancestry Estimation
    10. Age Estimation
    11. Stature Estimation
    12. Individual Skeletal Variation
    13. Analysis of Skeletal Trauma
    14. Personal Identification
    15. Other Issues in Forensic Anthropology

Dr. Passalacqua is an Assistant Professor and the Forensic Anthropology Program Coordinator at Western Carolina University. Prior to arriving at WCU Dr. Passalacqua worked as a deploying forensic anthropologist with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency - Laboratory. Nicholas received his Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State in 2012; and was certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology in 2016. Dr. Passalacqua is a co-founder and editor of the journal Forensic Anthropology. His research interests include age at death estimation, skeletal trauma analysis, and ethics. Dr. Passalacqua is a co-author of the award-winning textbook: Forensic Anthropology: Current Methods and Practice, and has numerous publications in such journals as: The Journal of Forensic Sciences, The International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, and The American Journal of Physical Anthropology, as well as chapters in such books as: Skeletal trauma analysis: Case studies in context, The analysis of burned human remains, Age estimation of the human skeleton, and A companion to forensic anthropology.

Eric J. Bartelink is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Director of the Human Identification Laboratory at California State University, Chico. He received his B.S. in Anthropology at Central Michigan University (1995), his M.A. in Anthropology at California State University, Chico (2001), and his Ph.D. in Anthropology at Texas A&M University (2006). He became the 89th Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology in 2012. Eric’s interests are in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology, and he has conducted research focused on skeletal trauma, taphonomy, paleopathology, and stable isotope analysis. He has conducted an extensive research program focused on central California bioarchaeology, and also conducted work in American Samoa. In 2000, he assisted with the excavation of mass graves in Bosnia-Herzegovina through the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and also assisted in the identification of victims from the World Trade Center 9/11 disaster in 2002 and 2003. He has published articles in Journal of Forensic Sciences, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Journal of Archaeological Sciences, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, Archaeometry, and California Archaeology