How to become A Forensic Anthropologist

With the unique skills they possess in determining a decedent’s age, gender and distinguishing characteristics, Forensic Anthropologists make sure justice is served to the victims of horrendous crimes and their loved ones.

• Forensic Scientist

What do Forensic Anthropologists do?

A Forensic Anthropologist would typically need to:

• Assist law enforcement authorities with the location and recovery of human remains at crime sites to facilitate investigation and resolution of the crime
• Collect human body parts from crime scenes and archaeological sites; oversee their transfer to the laboratory
• Perform lab analysis of the body parts to confirm the identity and cause of death of a subject
• Use high-tech equipment and technology such as scanning electron microscopy to conduct the lab analysis and examination of bones
• Utilise comprehensive expertise of the human anatomy and skeletal system to differentiate between human and animal bones
• Employ assorted tests and techniques from osteology and odontology to determine the stature, age and sex of the subject undergoing lab analysis
• Study the human remains of the subject for post mortem changes; specialise in figuring out the condition and time of death of the subject
• Reconstruct events that may have occurred before the subject’s death; build a case for the subject’s behavioural patterns based on their human remains
• Produce detailed results and reports of lab investigations to criminal justice departments as a means to untangle a criminal case and serve as legal evidence
• Testify in court as an expert witness

Most Forensic Anthropologists are college or university professors who specialise in the investigation of forensic cases. As such, they divide their workday between classrooms, lecture halls, offices and laboratories. 

Those who are into hard-core forensic investigations may spend their time between the field, lab and office.

Fieldwork may necessitate travelling and temporary relocation to another city, region, or country.

Forensic Anthropologists who divide their time between teaching and providing consultation to law enforcement agencies may spend around 15 hours discharging their academic responsibilities.

Consultation work may demand they be on call 24/7/365 to allow for speedy investigation and possible court appearances.

Those who work full-time for museums, military facilities or a medical examiner’s office may expect to work regular business hours. Still, the nature of the profession is that they have to be prepared to report for duty no matter what time of the day it is. 

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Forensic Anthropologists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly and using job search platforms.

Forensic Anthropologists are generally employed by:

• Colleges & Universities
• Forensic Facilities
• Museums
• Law Enforcement Services
• Government Agencies
• National & International Anthropological Organisations
• Consulting Services
• Military Facilities
• Organisations that conduct Research & Development in Social Sciences and Humanities

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES), are crucial for Forensic Anthropologists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Keeping up to date with the changing demographic structures of the populations they analyse and investigate
• Physical strain from working long hours to meet compelling deadlines; emotional stress from encountering disorienting sights at crime scenes
• Ability to strike a reasonable balance between personal life and the demands of the dual professions, in the case of those who perform dual roles
• Stress arising from physical exhaustion and rugged living conditions in the field
• Gaining access to reliable information during field research
• Earning the trust and building relationships with the population they are working with
• Getting lost in the translation of foreign languages; understanding unfamiliar concepts

Any academic program that a potential Forensic Anthropologist takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship or a relevant volunteering activity. It will give you a better insight into the profession. Some universities provide internships as a built-in component of the academic program or as an extracurricular activity for which students can earn academic credits.

You will gain optimal benefit from your tasks outside of the classroom when they line up perfectly with your lessons inside it. You may get to hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they manage to turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

Take the initiative and seek viable work experience that will help you develop critical skills such as communication, planning and project management. Membership in a student club can also offer you valuable knowledge and experience in research, attention to detail, and public speaking.

Approach local government offices, museums, and galleries for information about unpaid field and practical work opportunities. Read about the profession and interview/shadow experts working in forensic anthropology to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

A four-year bachelor’s degree in anthropology, anatomy, biology, physiology or chemistry can help you land an entry-level job as a laboratory technician. 

Ideally, the program should give you deeper insight into social anthropology, ethnicity & nationalism, human skeletal biology, forensic anthropology and medical anthropology.

On the other hand, potential Forensic Anthropologists with a two- to four-year master’s degree in anthropology or human biology, including extensive coursework and focus on research methods, will have better access to plum jobs.

Despite that, be aware that a PhD in physical anthropology will best serve Forensic Anthropologists who seek a career in research, investigation and consultation. 

It may take you three to seven years to conduct research and participate in field studies, all of which will culminate in a lengthy dissertation. Typical courses include human anatomy, forensic examination, evidence collection, osteology, and preserving samples.

Make sure your high school classes focus on mathematics and science. 

Although it is not mandated, diplomate certification awarded by the highest authority in your location will establish you as a board-recognised Forensic Anthropologist who has passed written and physical exams after meeting all the educational requirements. 

It is the highest recognised level of professional qualification in the field based upon a personal and professional record of education, training, experience and achievement.

In addition to helping you become an independent consultant, successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Forensic Anthropologists who aspire to senior roles in the crime laboratory or managerial positions.

Individuals interested in academics can move into teaching roles in colleges or universities where they help train future generations of forensic investigators.

Forensic Anthropologists with a PhD or an applied master's degree, considerable anthropological or archaeological fieldwork experience and competence in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies will have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Forensic Anthropologist build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. 

CPD allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge. It is also necessary for the regular renewal of certifications.

Vocational courses in museum ethnography, counselling, health and social work will give you transferable skills that can be put to excellent use during the period of your lab investigations.

Forensic Anthropologists who wish to teach at the post-secondary level must seek higher education and accumulate significant practical experience.

Bones Don’t Lie

Forensic Anthropologists can deduce vital cues from examining a seemingly unimportant heap of bones. Their trained eyes can zero in on significant clues in the skeletal structure from bone disease to blunt force trauma as a way of finding out whether the injuries occurred before or after the subject’s death. It can help establish a viable timeline which is crucial for the investigation and possible legal proceedings. 

Specialisations

While forensic osteology (the study of bones), and forensic odontology (the study of dental remains), make up most of the profession, some Forensic Anthropologists specialise in forensic archaeology or forensic taphonomy.

The archaeological component mostly entails collecting remains from excavation sites in a manner that does not jeopardise the site's integrity. In contrast, taphonomy is mainly concerned with environmental conditions that affect decomposition.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to the majority of human genetic variation. Outside of Africa, individuals are primarily inbred.

As one who holds one of the master keys to solving otherwise inexplicable homicides, a Forensic Anthropologist plays a unique role in applying science to a legal framework and dispensing justice.

Be ready to write down notes about everything. While you may not believe something will be valuable to you at first, it may turn out to be a lifesaver in the end.

Whether you are studying human remains or excavating an archaeological site, try to save and record whatever you can while you are out in the field.