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Forensic Science Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 4th, 2023 , Revised On August 16, 2023

Forensic science is a branch of science or an application that enables using scientific tools, techniques, and principles to solve a criminal act. The application of Forensic science lies in the criminal justice system, whereby the scientists probe an event to disclose the actual occurrences of a crime event.

Choosing forensic science as a career is valuable in terms of its novelty, progression, and demand. It is fairly a new field that has a lot of room for progress and advancement, with advancing technology and is in demand for digging out the ground realities of a crime. When you practice forensic science, no two days will be the same, unlike other professions. One day, you may be testing samples and making assessments of the results other days.

But before you start practising, you are required to complete your degree that is conditioned with writing a dissertation in the final year. If you are clueless about where to start your dissertation, you are not alone. Go through some of the dissertation topics related to Forensic science given below, with their research aim, and get an idea to begin your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the problem, research question , aim and objectives, literature review , along with the proposed methodology of research to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.

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2022 Forensic Science Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: investigating the challenges associated with pattern and impression evidence for recommending scientific foundations for accuracy, reliability and validity of forensic analysis.

Research Aim: The research aims to investigate the challenges associated with pattern and impression evidence for recommending scientific foundations for accuracy, reliability and validity of forensic analysis.

Objectives:

To critically analyse the challenges of pattern and impression evidence in forensics.
To evaluate the use of qualitative comparisons in forensic analysis of pattern evidence and impression to detect any scope of examiner bias.
To recommend measures for increasing accuracy, reliability and validity of forensic analysis based on scientific foundations.

Topic 2: Investigating the impact of medical imaging technologies for determining the cause of and manner of sudden death to potentially interpret evidence of foul play

Research Aim: The research aims to investigate the impact of medical imaging technologies for determining the cause of and manner of sudden death to potentially interpret evidence of foul play

To analyse the forensic sciences used in the determination of sudden death.
To determine the role of medical imaging technologies in determining sudden death and foul play.
To evaluate the impact of medical imaging technologies in determining the cause and manner of sudden infant death.

Topic 3: An evaluation of the impact of forensic odontology on solving crimes and legal ethics.

Research Aim: The research aims to evaluate of the impact of forensic odontology on solving crimes and the associated legal ethics.

To analyse the role of forensic odontology in the identification of unknown diseased individuals.
To analyse the impact of forensic odontology in solving medicolegal problems and providing expert testimony in criminal cases.
To investigate the efficacy with which the forensic odontologists identify human remains from crime scenes and detect signs of abuse or neglect among children and elderly.

Topic 4: Evaluation of the impact of forensic anthropology on the identification of age, gender and size of crime victims.

Research Aim: The research aims to evaluate the impact of forensic anthropology on the identification of age, gender and size of crime victims.

To contextualise the role application of forensic anthropology in solving criminal cases.
To analyse the work of the forensic anthropologists and determine their role in crime scenes.
To investigate the role of forensic anthropology in identifying the age, gender and size of crime victims.

Topic 5: Determining the effectiveness of blood spatter studies in identifying the nature and timing of crime at crime scenes

Research Aim: The research aims to determine the effectiveness of blood spatter studies in identifying the nature and timing of crime at crime scenes

To determine the applications of blood spatter studies in forensic sciences.
To analyse the methods of detecting the nature and timing of crime at the crime scenes.
To investigate the effectiveness of blood spatter studies and the scientific basis in identifying the nature and timing of crime at crime scenes

Topic. 1: Forensic science in the 20th century and today

Research Aim: The research aim of the paper will be to find and analyse the differences between the forensic science that existed in the 20 th century and the forensic science that exists today. The research will also identify the bases for forensic science and identify the progress it has made in the time span.

Different methods can be employed to study the difference by qualitative and quantitative analysis. In one way, forensic science’s conventional and modern methods and principles can be tested for accuracy and precision. In the other way, forensic scientists can be interviewed about the differences that they have experienced in the testing methodologies, etc.

Topic. 2: Case Study of the criminal cases and convictions resolved through forensic science

Research Aim: The aim of the research will be to study a couple or more cases that are resolved through forensic science. The research will identify in which capacity the forensic science was eminent in finding significant results, identifying the indicators, and thus disclosing the facts to resolve a complicated criminal case easily.

For more value, the researcher can study high-profile cases to identify the role of forensic science in resolving the most emphatic cases.

Topic. 3: Role of botany and entomology in the forensic science

Research Aim: Botany is the study of plants, and it is significantly related to forensic science. In forensic science, botany can be used to investigate a suspicious plant material at the crime scene. On the other hand, entomology is the study of insects. This study helps in finding the time since death and the source of the dead body.

The research will aim to find the wide importance of botany and entomology in forensic science. The researcher can examine the methods and principles of entomology and botany and identify their application in botany and entomology.

Topic. 4: The impact of swift changes and innovation in technology on the forensic science

Research Aim: Forensic science has improved and changed a lot from what it was twenty to thirty years ago. As the innovations and advancements are occurring in the field of science, the methods, techniques, tools and principles are modifying and simplifying.

The main aim of the research will be to identify the changes and innovations in technology and find their significant impact on forensic science.

Topic. 5: Future of forensic science

Research Aim: The aim of the research will be to speculate the future of forensic science considering the current aspects and trends. The researcher can study the opinions of forensic science researchers and can also examine the trends and reach a finding.

Topic. 6: Forensic science and ethical dilemmas

Research Aim: The application of forensic science is very vast, yet when it comes to ethical and moral ideologies, it has to stumble in some societies.

The aim of the research will be to identify the ethical dilemmas around forensic science in different regions of the world. The study may incorporate the assessment of cultural and religious values and examine to understand the factors lying at the heart of the dilemmas.

Topic 7: Process of victim identification through skeletal remains

Research Aim: The research will find and discuss how a victim can be identified through skeletal remains and what steps they have to go through to find results. The research can also discuss the scope and significance, and progress made in the techniques and tools used for identification.

Topic 8: The future of forensic anthropology

Research Aim: Forensics is very useful in studying anthropology, which incorporates the scientific study of humans. The aim of the research will be to identify the future of forensic anthropology, considering to what extent forensic is applicable in anthropology today and how in future it will advance the study if it does.

Topic 9: Value of crime scene photography in forensics

Research Aim: The research will carry out a scientific analysis of why crime scene photography is important in forensics. It will examine the cases with and without crime scene photography and their impact on forensics, therefore on the results.

Topic. 10: Drugs and Forensics

Research Aim: The main aim of the research will be to identify the effects of opioids and other drugs on forensics and examine how they can halt or boost the examination process.

Topic. 11: Reliability of fingerprint and pattern impression evidence

Research Aim: The roots of forensics lie in the heart of fingerprint and pattern impressions.

The research will identify how reliable is a fingerprint or other impression evidence is. It will find if it is easy to reach conclusive results with this evidence. And how wrong evidence can devastate the credibility of forensics.

Topic 12: The downsides of forensic science

Research Aim: While the scope of forensics is immense, we also need to identify the downside to it. The aim of the research will be to find the downsides of forensic science, its potential, and how it may affect the criminal justice system as a whole.

Topic. 13: Geographic forensic science

Research Aim: The research will aim to study and deeply analyse forensic geology. It will thoroughly study all four types of Geographic forensics: pedology, mineralogy and petrology; geophysics; natural geography and geoscience; remote sensing, location data and Geographic Information systems (GIS).

Topic. 14: Nuclear forensic science

Research Aim: Nuclear forensic science is the investigation and study of nuclear material to investigate the origin and history of the material.

The research will study and analyse Nuclear forensic science, its scope, implications, and future.

Topic. 15: Role of RNA in forensic science

Research Aim: Ribonucleic acid is a molecule in our body like DNA. While DNA plays a significant role in forensics, RNA also holds immense value.

The research will study the role of RNA in forensic science, its scope, and its principles for investigation.

Topic. 16: Role of Blood spatters in solving crimes

Research Aim: The research will aim to analyse and figure out the role of blood spatters of the victim or culprit in investigating the time of death, the source that caused blood spatters, and the identity of the victim or culprit.

Topic. 17: Forensic frauds and their penalties

Research Aim: Oftentimes, the forensic reports are doctored to mislead the judiciary and save the real culprit. The research will find out if there are laws around handling forensic investigations and penalties for fraud around the world. The researcher can study the laws in a particular context—for example, Forensic frauds and their penalties in Europe, or the United Kingdom, etc.

Topic. 18: History of Forensic science

Research Aim: The main research aim of the research will be to study and analyse the history of forensic science. The research will make significant, useful contrasts to understand the roots of forensics and its evolution.

Topic. 19: Understanding Antemortem, Perimortem, and Postmortem

Research Aim: Experts have to differentiate between antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem bone fracture to estimate the postmortem interval. The research aim will be to understand the concepts of antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem and their scope in forensics.

Topic. 20: Forensic science and facial recognition

Research Aim: The main aim of the research is to identify and analyse the scope of financial recognition in forensics. It will also discuss the developments and prospects in the field.

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These differences came to light particularly in 1972 when the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) established a physical anthropology section. Membership in this section entailed exclusively forensic applications of anthropology rather than all anthropology in general; the 14 members in 1972 became known as forensic anthropologists. This led to the establishment in 1977 of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA) (www.theabfa.org/index.html) with sponsorship by the AAFS and the Forensic Sciences Foundation.

Origin of Forensic Science

Forensic sciences were practiced before they were identified as forensic anthropology or even forensic science. Forensic science was first documented in France in 1910 with Dr. Edmond Locard’s establishment of a center where scientists studying biology, physics, and medicine came together to examine evidence for criminal investigations. This group analyzed materials and shared resources in an attempt to reconstruct crime scenes. Eventually known as a criminalistics laboratory, or crime lab, this model was followed in 1914 by the city of Montreal. The center in Montreal followed Locard’s philosophy, called Locard’s exchange principle, the foundation of the field of forensic science. Montreal’s center was run by a physician and thus became known as a medicolegal lab, a subspecialty of medicine. The structure of this model lab became popular, and in 1923, the first lab based on this model was established in the United States by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. In 1932, the newly established Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) set up its own lab, which could be accessed nationwide, although unlike the lab in France, contributions were minimal from different areas of science such as biology, chemistry, and physics.

Over the last 100 years, physical anthropologists have assisted with medico-legal investigations. Many physical anthropologists, especially from the Smithsonian Institute, acted as advisors to medico-legal officials through published articles and law enforcement bulletins during the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1960s, Lawrence Angel joined the Smithsonian staff and continued as a consultant for the FBI, including the launching of a training program for the forensic applications of skeletal biology.

Forensic Anthropology

The need for forensic anthropology.

There are five main objectives in forensic anthropology: (1) Determine ancestry, sex, age, and living height; (2) attempt to identify the nature and causative agent if evidence of traumatic injury to human bone exists; (3) render a determination of postmortem interval; (4) assist in locating and recovering remains so that all evidence relevant to a forensic investigation is recovered; (5) provide information useful in obtaining a positive identification of deceased persons (Byers, 2002, p. 1).

Forensic anthropology is needed to restore names and identities to unknown human remains from murder, mass disaster, or other found human remains. Forensic anthropologists assist both in the identification of bones and also in the recovery of bodies. Besides identifying the bones, forensic anthropologists also analyze trauma to the bone in order to gain necessary knowledge on the cause and manner of death. Nafte (2000) asserted that identifying remains may actually prevent the time and expense of a large-scale legal investigation. Forensic anthropologists not only process and analyze human remains in a laboratory but also are called on to assist in locating and recovering remains as well as to interpret any ante-, peri-, or postmortem (pre, during, or after death) movements or modifications of the remains.

Development of Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology can be divided into three time periods, according to Rhine (1998): formative (early 1800s–1938), consolidation (1939–1971), and modern (1972 onward). Prior to the 1970s, those physical anthropologists working particularly with the medico-legal and forensic aspects of anthropology had no official name. The father of American forensic anthropology is Thomas Dwight, a Harvard anatomy professor in the late 19th century who published The Identification of the Human Skeleton, a Medicolegal Study in 1878. In his book, Dwight discussed how an examination of human bones could lead to the determination of gender and stature of the remains.

During the formative period (early 1800s–1938), one of the first known cases occurred. In 1849, Dr. Jeffries Wyman of Harvard University identified human remains in order to help solve the death of a prominent Boston-area doctor, George Parkman. In this case, Dr. John White Webster, a colleague of Dr. Wyman, was accused of the murder based on evidence that on November 23, 1849, Parkman went to claim money owed to him by Webster. This date was the last time anyone saw Parkman alive. Less than a week later, a janitor at the Harvard Medical School called the police on discovery of what appeared to be human remains in a stone vault underneath Webster’s office. While officers suspected these approximately 150 bones, some of which were burned, and set of false teeth belonged to Parkman, the police left it up to a team of doctors and dentists to prove it in court. On examination, the doctors were able to testify that these remains matched a person of Parkman’s age, build, and height. Three hours of deliberation led to a guilty verdict for Webster.

More forensic anthropological activity was recorded during the consolidation period (1939–1971), such as the identification of servicemen killed on the battlefields during World War II and the Korean War. The work of the physical anthropologists called on by the United States Army during World War II for the identification of skeletal remains for repatriation led to the establishment of the Central Identification Laboratory (CIL) at the Hickman Air Force Base in Hawaii in 1947.

The third, or modern period, which began approximately 20 years ago, is when the application of forensic anthropology to the investigation of human rights violations increased dramatically, mostly due to the reinstatement of democratic governments along with higher levels of public awareness and social action. Requests for such action have been from countries such as those in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. One team in particular demand is the Forensic Anthropology Team of Argentina (EAAF), which has established its own precedent by becoming involved in other missions worldwide; this team is very much in demand due to their expertise, particularly in presenting evidence for war tribunals.

Methods in Forensic Anthropology

The process of forensic anthropology can be described, according to Mercedes Doretti of the EAAF, as three parts: interviews, excavation, and analysis (Burns, 1999). However, interviews are less likely to be conducted by forensic anthropologists as the bones are often already decomposed and witnesses are not easily located. In addition, many forensic anthropologists prefer to work with as little preconceived knowledge as possible to avoid tainting their conclusions and findings. The three parts identified by Doretti can be redefined into two types of methods: data gathering (interviews and excavation) and data analysis (analysis). The data is gathered from skeletal remains, while the analysis answers questions posed by forensic-anthropology protocol.

Data Gathering

Data is gathered using four techniques: anthroposcopic, osteometric, chemical, and histological. Anthroposcopic data is gathered visually, including through the use of X-rays, and involves such characteristics as ancestry, sex, age, and stature. Osteometric data involves the measurement of human bone on an objective scale using calipers or an osteometric board in an attempt to quantify many of the anthroposcopic characteristics. Chemical data is gathered through the examination of chemical makeup of certain structures of the skeleton, including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and associated matter such as the ground beneath the skeleton. Histological data is gathered through the study of the microstructure of teeth and bone.

Data Analysis

There are five methods to analyze the data from the skeleton: decision table, range chart, index, discriminant function, and regression equation. The last two methods come from statistics.

A decision table helps the researcher judge the importance of conflicting information to arrive at a single conclusion. In a decision table, options are listed across the top of the table, while characteristics for determining these options are listed down the left-hand side. A forensic anthropologist marks the columns where characteristics observed indicate agreement with the option at the top. The name of the column (option) with the most marks is the one most likely to be correct.

A range chart provides multiple ranges of estimates so that a central tendency can be determined. To use a range chart, a forensic anthropologist charts the ranges of features observed. Where the most overlap on the chart occurs is the data range that is most likely to be correct. These are particularly useful for parameters in which multiple sources of data are encountered such as time since death and age at death.

An index is a method to standardize skeletal measures for two dimensions. This method was developed so that numerical expressions of the shape of a structure can be compared between two groups. An index is a simple yet powerful statistical method for quantifying anthroposcopic traits. When two measurements express visually identifiable characteristics, the forensic anthropologist will divide one into the other, multiple the quotient by 100, and arrive at an index.

A discriminant function is a method for calculating a numerical expression of shape that can be used when more than two measurements are available. A forensic anthropologist would use a discriminant function whenever there are discrete categories to determine to assist in distinguishing between two or more predetermined groups. These might consist of gender or hair color.

A regression equation is a method by which one value can be predicted from the values of other measurements.

While regression equations are included in the five methods to analyze data from skeletons, these are often incorrect because they do not account for the increasingly unknown nature of points away from the middle line of a set of values, and they do not consider that other samples might yield other values.

Facial Reconstruction

Facial reconstruction is a subset of the methods of forensic anthropology. In facial reconstruction, the forensic anthropologist works to recreate the facial characteristics to assist in identification. This is considered a last resort, one to use only if a search of missing persons’ files has not revealed a potential match. Traditionally, this was done manually by molding and casting the original skull, applying spacers to indicate the amount of tissue thickness at various places on the facial skeleton, and filling in the areas between and around these spacers. Today, preferably, computer software is used to produce faces on images of the skull. However, in other cases, artists drawings, restoration of disrupted or damaged tissue put back on the skull, or photo/portrait superimposition is also used. There are still problems found by forensic anthropologists and other practitioners such as predicting individual characteristics not apparent on the skull regardless of the method used.

There are three software programs commonly used: CARES (computer assisted reconstruction and enhancement system), FACE (composite picture software), and Faces (face recognition software); each of which uses radiographs or photographs of faces or skulls, which are then digitized. Using banks of stored features from both cadavers and living samples using magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) and computerized tomography (CT) scans, a face is then electronically restored or reconstructed.

Human Skeleton

Forensic anthropologists should be familiar with every feature of the human skeleton, including the range of variation between individuals and the differences between human and nonhuman bones. The familiarity is needed to assist in the critical matter of identifying human skeletal remains. The bones to be familiar with include the 29 bones of the head (cranium, inner ear, mandible, and hyoid) and the 177 bones of the postcranial skeleton below the head. This number varies, however, based on age and other circumstances, all of which the forensic anthropologist needs to be aware of. In particular, a child’s skeleton will have more bones since not all bones found in a younger body will have fused together to create the bones found in the adult skeleton. Forensic anthropologists need to be familiar with the landmarks and features, growth and development of each of these bones and their components to help determine age and other characteristics of the skeleton.

The postcranial skeleton can be further subdivided into the torso and limbs. The torso includes the ribs, vertebra, scapulae, clavicles, sternum, pelvis, and sacrum. The limbs include the arms (the humerus, radius, ulna) and legs (the femur, tibia, and fibula). The pelvis, composed of three portions (ilium, ischium, and pubis), contains information critical to determination of age at death or gender in adults.

When referring to bones in the human skeleton, it is necessary to use specific terminology to assist others in locating the same bones one is referencing. This is done by thinking of the skeleton standing (or lying on its back) with arms at the sides, palms forward, and thumbs to the outside. This position was chosen, in part, due to the fact that in this position none of the bones cross each other, and it is possible to consistently describe the relationships between bones (Adams, 2007).

Identification Process

Identification occurs after the forensic anthropologist has gathered all of the data and analyzed this data through various methods. The identification is rarely definitive but rather provides a guide or range from which identification can be drawn. As time passes, modeling and remodeling of bones within the skeleton records events in the person’s life such as growth, disease, and environmental change, providing a lasting record of past events, lifestyle habits, and occupational stress. Earlier in life, generally within the first three decades of life, the growth and maturation of the human skeleton is most reliable for its relation to the time and sequence of age change as it relates to sex and race differences.

Definitive identification is rare based solely on the skeleton as there are external factors that can affect the records stored in the bones, for example, nutritional deficiencies, diseases, medications, pathological conditions, anomalies, and more. The markers on the bones indicating occupational stress provide an additional means of identifying a person from a skeleton, which is particularly helpful in aiding law enforcement officials in their search for a missing person. The most important details in the identification of an individual person occur in the head: eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

How Bones Change

Though living bone is mainly inorganic, it is a dynamic tissue that is capable of responding to a wide variety of stimuli. As such, it is in a constant state of change. Modeling is the change, or growth and development, of living bone that takes place from approximately the third intrauterine month to approximately 25 to 30 years of age. Remodeling, or changes in the density, shape, and size of bone, takes place throughout the person’s life. Remodeling is due to factors such as aging, exercise, diet, injury, trauma, disease, and occupational stress. In particular, there can be lesions due to occupational stress. These lesions manifest in four ways: modifications to areas of insertion, osteophytosis, discrete markers, and stress fractures.

The forensic anthropologist needs to be aware of the different responses of bone to stress during and after life. The type and patterning of a fracture can help establish the sequence of damage to skeletal material.

The forensic anthropologist can estimate the age of the decedent through knowledge of changes to the skeleton that occur both during growth and deterioration. There are several methods to determine age at death that require special instruments such as cortical bone loss, counts of bone histological structures, and the Gustafson method on teeth. Byers (2002) asserted that the “methods for determining age are not accurate enough to be usable in forensic situations” (p. 192) although the age for individuals under the age of 12 years is said to be estimable from the lengths of the long bones combined with the development and eruption of teeth and fusion of primary and secondary ossification centers. In adolescents, the forensic anthropologist can also estimate the age of the skeleton at death through the amount of union in various epiphyses. In adults, the forensic anthropologist needs to be aware of changes in pubic face, auricular surface, the sternal ends of ribs, and the amount of suture closure in the skull. In general, the age of a skeleton is more accurately determined the younger the decedent was at time of death.

In determining gender, the statistics are generally higher than for most other characteristics. There is a 50% chance of a correct guess without other information available. The pelvis is where the strongest and most accurate indication of male versus female is found as the pelvis of a woman is generally broader than that of a male. When examining the pelvis, particular attention should be paid to the bone of the anterior pelvic area (the pubis) as the lower margin of the pubis forming the border of the subpubic angle is wider in a female than a male. This margin is determined using the ischium-pubic index, the only commonly used metric method for distinguishing sexes. If the pubis is missing, then the skull difference can assist in determining the gender, but there is a certain amount of overlap in the middle of the size differences.

The stature of a skeleton is determined by adding together the measurements of many bones in the skeleton. It is very important to obtain as many bones as possible and to correctly identify each bone. The bones measured to determine the stature include the skull and the combined heights of the vertebrae, the femur and tibia, and articulated calcaneous. Although it is less accurate, forensic anthropologists commonly calculate stature based on the lengths of the long limb bones solely: the humerus, ulna, radius, femur, tibia, and fibula. Because it has been documented that persons lose stature with age, estimates of living heights among persons determined to be 45 years or older at death need to be adjusted downward.

Race/Ancestry

When determining the race or ancestry of a skeleton, the forensic anthropologist depends on the skull. The skull has the most traits to use in determining the race or ancestry. Without a skull, there are a limited number of postcranial skeleton traits to use. This categorization is often the most difficult and least precise due to problems of inconsistency between racial categories. Forensic anthropologists depend on the categories for race/ancestry most widely used by law enforcement agencies: Caucasian, African, Asian, Native American, and Hispanic.

When examining the skeleton, the forensic anthropologist often can estimate the handedness of the decedent by comparing the right- and left-upper-limb bones. The side with the largest and most modified bones is generally the dominant side.

Basis of Examination and Evaluation to Identify the Dead

Krogman and Iscan (1986) provided a guideline that forensic anthropologists follow today when examining and evaluating to identify the dead. Krogman and Iscan suggest beginning with “the big four”—stature, age at time of death, sex, and race/ethnicity. Once this information is determined as well as possible, the forensic anthropologist should then continue with the “accessory” information— weight/body build, duration of interment, cause of death if registered in the bones, and a final registry of miscellaneous details of individuality to assist in identifying the decedent such as fractures, amputations, and so on.

The Human Genome (DNA)

The human genome provides the ability to chart any person’s genetic makeup. However, particularly for forensic anthropologists, this is not always possible to obtain. When it is obtainable, often it is the forensic biologist who processes the DNA, not the forensic anthropologist. The human genome, or DNA, is, according to Bass and

Jefferson (2007), the “gold standard” for making a positive identification. However, they note, this is not always the fastest or most efficient method to obtain a positive identification. There are still older methods that are much faster and more affordable than DNA testing. Advances in the analysis of DNA extraction from archaeological bone allows for personal identification. However, the DNA preserved from crime scenes or other evidence may be affected by human errors that will affect the quality of the DNA, degrade the DNA, or be in minute quantities. As the DNA falls apart due to degradation, the pieces become smaller and smaller, which causes DNA analysis to become harder and harder.

Newer DNA analysis is based on DNA (such as mitochondria) that is not located in the cell’s nucleus as it was in the past. Cells have organs just as bodies do; these organs are called organelles, existing in the cell but outside of the nucleus. Select organelles have their own packets of DNA, such as the mitochondria. This DNA, called mtDNA, is carried on the mother’s side and survives in numerous quantities in hairs, bone, and teeth, according to Houck (2007).

Other Evidence

Other evidence gathered can be from the location itself, scraps of clothing or human remains beyond the skeleton, and interviews with people. In collecting evidence through interviews, one needs to be sensitive to the culture of those being addressed as this can vary from place to place, culture to culture, and country to country.

Collecting Evidence

There are four major steps in collecting evidence: location, mapping, excavation (if needed), and retrieval. The forensic anthropologist is not always involved with these steps although it is helpful and often time and cost saving to have the forensic anthropologist involved from the start rather than relying on the findings of others. Locating the remains is the first step of the process. Next is mapping, which includes drawings, photographs, videos, and other methods of recording the location and the process itself from locating to retrieving to relocating the remains to the forensic anthropologist’s laboratory. The excavation includes searching and collecting the bones and other materials considered necessary for the forensic anthropologist’s work, while the retrieval includes packing and transporting the materials to the forensic anthropologist’s laboratory.

It is helpful, from the start, to make an inventory of what is found. This inventory will help establish the number of sets of human remains. If there is more than one left femur, other limb bones, or skulls, then this is a general indication of collocation (arrangement) of more than one human skeleton, or commingling. Additional vertebra, ribs, or sesamoid bones (bones that grow in tendons) are not indicators of commingling as it is not abnormal for an individual to have one or more of these. The recording of the process, along with the proper usage of methods of collection and retrieval, will enhance the reliability and success with which the case can be resolved.

Interpreting and Applying Evidence

When interpreting evidence to assist in making an identification, attempts made by humans to disguise or destroy remains can cause problems. Problems can also be caused by any other postmortem damage from a number of sources, including human dismemberment to prevent identification or to show disregard for the victim, and nonhuman animals; heat such as fire; and weathering, burial, and water. The effects of fire include charring, cracking, discoloration, warping, and shrinkage, while weathering—due mainly to sunlight—manifests itself through cracking and warping. Burial has similar effects to weathering and low-temperature burning, whereas water causes abrading and scattering of skeletal elements. The overlap of effects can also cause problems in interpretation for cause of death or postmortem damage that has occurred.

There are three types of bone disease (deformative, lytic, and proliferative) as well as four types of skeletal anomalies (accessory ossicles, nonfusion anomalies, accessory foramina, and miscellaneous anomalies) that the forensic anthropologist needs to be aware of to better help determine what has happened to a bone.

One of the main interpretations by the forensic anthropologist is the manner of death, or the manner in which a person died. There are five recognized manners of death: homicide, suicide, accident, natural, and unknown. It is the forensic anthropologist’s job to avoid as much as possible an unknown cause of death, unless there is insufficient evidence to prove one of the other four manners of death.

While determining the type of bone injury, the forensic anthropologist should also attempt to determine the timing of the bone injury: during life, or antemortem trauma; around the time of death, or perimortem trauma; or damage done after death, or postmortem damage. This timing will help establish if the bone trauma discovered is the cause of death.

The bones can tell a lot about the cause of death. There are four types of bone trauma that can indicate the type of death: blunt, sharp, projectile, and miscellaneous. In the analysis of a blunt force bone trauma, the forensic anthropologist must start with a complete description of the injury, including the type (fracture or infraction), the bone affected, which side of the bone, and the placement in the bone of the injury. Next, the forensic anthropologist should attempt to determine the size, shape, and weight of the causative instrument. Of particular note, a fracture of the hyoid bone is the main osteological consequence of death by strangulation, which is caused by hanging, ligature, or manual strangulation. Sharp trauma results from narrowly focused dynamic compression forces applied to the surface of a bone, such as evidenced in punctures, incisions, and clefts. A projectile bone trauma needs to be analyzed by a forensic anthropologist who understands a number of characteristics of firearms and ammunition such as size (e.g., caliber gauge), velocity, and bullet construction. The forensic anthropologist, when examining a gunshot wound to the bone, should also determine, to the best of his or her ability and knowledge, the causative weapon, the placement of the firearm, and any other information that can be accurately determined.

The forensic anthropologist should create a report that is stated clearly. The report should be generated after careful examination, research, and reflection and based on notes taken throughout the process. The length of time it takes to create a report depends on the complexity of the case. Regardless, the forensic anthropologist’s report should provide as much detail and precise data as possible at the time of writing, although modifications for further clarification can be made if needed. This report “records physical observations on the remains, identifies important biological characteristics, and identifies and differentiates changes in the remains due to natural and cultural forces” in a way that is understandable to the medico-legal officer in charge (Pickering & Bachman, 1997, p. 35). The report should be presented in two parts. The first part of the report should be approximately one page in length and should briefly describe the results in a readable form to the nonforensic anthropologist and include a description of methods used and discuss details of the results obtained from the analysis.

The second part of the report consists of six sections. Part 1 presents background, including names, dates, and places as they apply to the case, including how the forensic anthropologist was summoned, what was done prior to the summoning of the forensic anthropologist, and who was present during the analyses. In Part 2, the general condition of soft tissue that is present and the state of preservation of osteological material along with any photos of the body, which are included as an appendix to the report, can be referenced here. Part 3 is a complete inventory of osteological and odontological remains, including the number of individuals present. Part 4 presents each of the four aspects of demography (ancestry, sex, age at death, and stature) in separate subsections that fully describe how these characteristics were determined. Part 5 explains antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem injuries using photographs, line drawings, and other supportive material. Part 6 includes any recommendations for further testing outside the realm of the forensic anthropologist, which can include searches of missing persons’ files or the names of ethnic enclaves to approach for information on the decedent. Appendices can include supportive photographs and tables.

Expert Witness

1948 was the turning point in the United States for the forensic anthropologist to be accepted by the legal system as an expert witness. Today, forensic anthropologists are being asked to offer expert testimony for both prosecuting and defense attorneys.

A biological profile is the information presented by the forensic anthropologist as testimony in a court of law. The human skeleton or other human remains are not part of an exhibit in a court of law. Therefore, a well-documented analysis or conclusion with verbal testimony, written statements, photographs, and slides are the supporting facts and exhibits in the court of law.

The forensic anthropologist must always be certain, whether in the report or when testifying as an expert witness, to present the data and opinion honestly. Particularly in court, this must be done so as to ensure that the judicial process is not affected by the forensic anthropologist’s pre-

sentation of the data and opinion. It is imperative for the forensic anthropologist to differentiate between evidence or data and opinion or interpretation. This evidence-opinion dichotomy is one of the most important distinctions for a forensic anthropologist to make before presenting findings for others’ use.

There are three types of opinions a forensic anthropologist may form: speculation, possible, and probable. Speculation is based on few or no data and should be given only if specifically asked and never in a written form. A possible opinion is one that is based on a characteristic or event that is possible but is too unlikely to be taken seriously. A probable opinion is one with the highest level of certainty,

Ongoing Advances in Modern Forensic Anthropology

In 1986, the Forensic Anthropology Data Bank was created at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to help identify the race or ancestry of a skeleton. The Forensic Anthropology Data Bank contains measurements and observations of thousands of individual skeletons analyzed in forensic cases and from museum collections. This vast data helps the forensic anthropologist to detect previously unrealized subtleties. This data bank is the foundation for FORDISC, a computer tool that analyzes these subtleties to confirm or challenge an anthropologist’s findings. FORDISC enables the user to enter measurements from a current case to help estimate sex, ancestry, and stature.

Forensic anthropology has become used more for identifying victims of current disasters, such as 9/11, and mass disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Forensic anthropology has also become used more and more as a way to gather evidence of victims who can no longer speak, those who are dead—such as in cases of human rights violations worldwide. Forensic anthropologists are stepping outside serving not only the community in which they work but also serving internationally, traveling to large-scale conflicts to work with governments.

Future Use of Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropologists are being called on more and more to assist in the identification of victims of homicides, mass disasters, and political atrocities (Camenson, 2001). As the methods to identify human remains become more accurate and exacting, older cases will be reopened for further analysis by forensic anthropologists to assist in solving cold cases.

Bibliography:

Adams, B. J. (2007). Forensic anthropology. Inside forensic science series. New York: Chelsea House.
American Board of Forensic Anthropology. (2008). Available at http://www.theabfa.org/index.html
Bass, B., & Jefferson, J. (2007). Beyond the body farm: A legendary bone detective explores murders, mysteries, and the revolution in forensic science. New York: William Morrow.
Birx, H. J. (2006). Forensic anthropology. In H. J. Birx (Ed.), Encyclopedia of anthropology (Vol. 2, pp. 366–367). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Burns, K. R. (1999). Forensic anthropology training manual. Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Byers, S. N. (2002). Introduction to forensic anthropology: A textbook. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Camenson, B. (2001). Opportunities in forensic science careers. Lincolnwood, IL: VCM Career Books.
Chamberlain, A. (1994). Human remains [Interpreting the Past Series]. Berkeley: University of California Press.
El-Najjar, M. Y., & McWilliams, K. R. (1978). Forensic anthropology: The structure, morphology, and variation of human bone and dentition. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Haglund, W. D., & Sorg, M. H. (2002). Advances in forensic taphonomy, method, theory, and archaeological perspectives. Washington, DC: CRC Press.
Houck, M. M. (2007). Forensic science: Modern methods of solving crime. Westport, CT: Praeger.
Jackson, D. M. (1996). The bone detectives: How forensic anthropologists solve crimes and uncover mysteries of the dead. Boston: Little, Brown.
Joyce, C., & Stover, E. (1991). Witnesses from the grave: The stories bones tell. Boston: Little, Brown.
Krogman, W. M. (1941). Growth of man. The Hague, the Netherlands: W. Junk.
Krogman, W. M., & Iscan, M. Y. (1986). The human skeleton in forensic medicine (2nd ed.). Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Manheim, M. H. (2005). Trail of bones: More cases from the files of a forensic anthropologist. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press.
Morse, D., Duncan, J., & Stoutamire, J. (Eds.). (1884). Handbook of forensic archaeology and anthropology. Tallahassee: Florida State University Foundation.
Nafte, M. (2000). Flesh and bone: An introduction to forensic anthropology. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press.
Pickering, R. B., & Bachman, D. C. (1997). The use of forensic anthropology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Reichs, K. J. (Ed.). (1986). Forensic osteology: Advances in the identification of human remains. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Rhine, S. (1998). Bone voyage: A journey in forensic anthropology. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
Schmitt, A., Cunha, E., & Pinheiro, J. (Eds.). (2006). Forensic anthropology and medicine: Complementary sciences from recovery to cause of death. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press.
Stewart, T. D. (1979). Essentials of forensic anthropology: Especially as developed in the United States. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Ubelaker, D. (2004). Forensic anthropology. In C. R. Ember & M. Ember (Eds.), Encyclopedia of medical anthropology: Health and illness in the world’s cultures (pp. 37–42). New York: Kluwer Academic.
Ubelaker, D., & Scammell, H. (1992). Bones: A forensic detective’s casebook. New York: Edward Burlingame Books.

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Anthropology Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Entanglements of Teenage Food Security Within High School Pantries in Pinellas County, Florida , Karen T. Díaz Serrano

The Applicability of the Postmortem Submersion Interval Estimation Formula for Human Remains Found in Subtropical Aquatic Environments , Kara L. DiComo

Early Agricultural Lives: Bioarchaeological Inferences from Neolithic and Early Copper Age Tombs in the Central Po Valley, Italy , Christopher J. Eck Jr.

The Process of Government in Clearwater, Florida , Picot deBoisfeuillet Floyd

“I Was Doing the Best with What I Had”: Exploring Student Veterans’ Experiences with Community Reintegration, Food Insecurity, and Health Challenges , Jacquelyn N. Heuer

Transformative Psychedelic Experiences at Music Events: Using Subjective Experience to Explore Chemosocial Assemblages of Culture , Gabrielle R. Lehigh

“We Need to Have a Place to Vent and Get Our Frustrations Out”: Addressing the Needs of Mothering Students in Higher Education using a Positive Deviance Framework , Melissa León

“They’re Still Trying to Wrap Their Head Around Forever”: An Anatomy of Hope for Spinal Cord Injury Patients , William A. Lucas

Foodways of the Florida Frontier: Zooarchaeological Analysis of Gamble Plantation Historic State Park (8MA100) , Mary S. Maisel

The Impacts of Disability Policy and its Implementation on Deaf University Students: An Applied Anthropological Approach , Tailyn Marie Osorio

“I’m Still Suffering”: Mental Health Care Among Central African Refugee Populations in the Tampa Bay Area , C. Danee Ruszczyk

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Immigration-Related Stressors, Pregnancy, Birth, and Post-Partum Experiences of Women Living Along the US-Mexico Border , Isabela Solis

Clinically Applied Anthropology: A Syndemic Intervention. , Jason W. Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

An Assessment of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals Gender Affirming Health Care Practices in the Greater Tampa Bay , Sara J. Berumen

Mound-Summit Practices at Cockroach Key (8HI2) Through the Lens of Practice Theory , Chandler O. Burchfield

Crafting a Scene: The Nexus of Production and Consumption of Tampa Bay Craft Beer , Russell L. Edwards

Applied Anthropology of Addiction in Clinical Spaces: co-Developing and Assessing a Novel Opioid Treatment Pathway , Heather Diane Henderson

Japan’s COVID 19 Infection Rate: A Focus on Tokyo Neighborhoods , Lauren Koerner

Farmers’ Organizations and Development Actors in a Pandemic: Responses to Covid-19 and the Food-Energy-Water Nexus , Atte Penttilä

An Ideology of Racism: Community Representation, Segregation, and the Historical Cemeteries of Panama City, Florida , Ethan David Mauldin Putman

“Even If You Have Food in Your House, It Will Not Taste Sweet”: Central African Refugees’ Experiences of Cultural Food Insecurity and Other Overlapping Insecurities in Tampa, Florida , Shaye Soifoine

Afro-Latinx and Afro-Latin Americans in the United States: Examining Ethnic and Racial Experiences in Higher Education , Glenda Maria Vaillant Cruz

Black Cemeteries Matter: The Erasure of Historic Black Cemeteries in Polk County, Florida , Juliana C. Waters

An Anthropology with Human Waste Management: Non-Humans, The State, and Matters of Care on the Placencia Peninsula, Belize , William Alex Webb

An Edgefield Ceramic Assemblage from the Lost Town of St. Joseph, Northwest Florida , Crystal R. Wright

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Aspiring to “Make it Work”: Defining Resilience and Agency Amongst Hispanic Youth Living in Low-Income Neighborhoods , Sara Arias-Steele

“I Wish Somebody Called Me, Told Me Not to Worry”: Evaluating a Non-Profit’s Use of Social Support to Address Refugee Women’s Resettlement Challenges , Brandylyn L. Arredondo

Of Body and Mind: Bioarchaeological Analysis of Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Anatomization and Institutionalization in Siena, Italy , Jacqueline M. Berger

Cannabis Capitalism in Colorado: An Ethnography of Il/legal Production and Consumption , Lia Berman

Analyses Of Woodland Check-Stamped Ceramics In Northwest Florida , John D. Blackburn

“Here Come the Crackers!”: An Ethnohistorical Case Study of Local Heritage Discourses and Cultural Reproduction at a Florida Living History Museum , Blair Bordelon

Privies as Portals: A Ceramic and Glass Bottle Analysis of a Late 19th Century Household Privy in Ellenton, FL , Shana Boyer

Making Change in the Nickel City: Food Banking and Food Insecurity in Buffalo, NY During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Sarah E. Bradley

Ware and Tear in Ancient Tampa Bay: Ceramic Elemental Analyses from Pinellas County Sites , McKenna Loren Douglass

Rethinking Settlement Patterns at the Weeden Island Site (8PI1) on Florida’s Central Gulf Coast , Heather E. Draskovich

Listening to Women: Using a Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding Women’s Desires and Experience During Childbirth , Nicole Loraine Falk Smith

Archaeology and Seasonality of Stock Island (8Mo2), a Glades-Tradition Village on Key West , Ryan M. Harke

How Culture and Storytelling Can Influence Urban Development: An Ethnographic Look at the Community-Driven Revitalization of Newtown in Sarasota, Florida , Michala Head

Educational Experiences of Congolese Refugees in West-Central Florida High Schools , Michaela J. Inks

Constructing 'Child Safety': Policy, Practice, and Marginalized Families in Florida's Child Welfare System , Melissa Hope Johnson

"We're the Lucky Ones": A Social Network Analysis of Recovery After the Iowa Derecho , Kayla C. Jones

How Race is Made in Everyday Life: Food, Eating, and Dietary Acculturation among Black and White Migrants in Florida, U.S. , Laura Kihlstrom

Tourism, Education, and Identity Making: Agency and Representation of Indigenous Communities in Public Sites within Florida. , Timothy R. Lomberk II

Pregnancy and Fertility Amongst Women with the MTHFR C677T Polymorphism: An Anthropological Review , Caroline A. MacLean

A Biocultural Analysis of the Impacts of Interactions Between West Africans and Europeans During the Trans-Atlantic Trade at Elmina, Ghana , Heidi Ellen Miller

The Distribution in Native Populations from Mexico and Central America of the C677T Variant in the MTHFR Gene , Lucio A. Reyes

Politics vs. The Environment: The Spatial Distributions of Mississippian Mound Centers in Tampa Bay , Adam J. Sax

Seasonality, Labor Organization, and Monumental Constructions: An Otolith Study from Florida’s Crystal River Site (8CI1) and Roberts Island Shell Mound Complex (8CI40 and 41) , Elizabeth Anne Southard

Eating and Body Image Disorders in the Time of COVID19: An Anthropological Inquiry into the Pandemic’s Effects on the Bodies , Theresa A. Stoddard

The Early Medieval Transition: Diet Reconstruction, Mobility, and Culture Contact in the Ravenna Countryside, Northern Italy , Anastasia Temkina

The Science of Guessing: Critiquing Ancestral Estimation Through Computer Generated Statistical Analysis Within Forensic Anthropology in a Real-World Setting , Christopher J. Turner

Listening to Queens: Ghana's Women Traditional Leaders as a Model for Gender Parity , Kristen M. Vogel

Site Suitability Modeling in the Sand Pine Scrub of the Ocala National Forest , Jelane M. Wallace

Our Story, Our Homeland, Our Legacy: Settlement Patterns of The Geechee at Sapelo Island Georgia, From 1860 To 1950 , Colette D. Witcher

Identifying Skeletal Puberty Stages in a Modern Sample from the United States , Jordan T. Wright

Pollen-Vegetation Relationships in Upper Tampa Bay , Jaime E. Zolik

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Maternal Social Status, Offspring 2D:4D Ratio and Postnatal Growth, in Macaca mulatta (Rhesus Macaques) , Juan Pablo Arroyo

Social Exclusion of Older Mossi Women Accused of Witchcraft in Burkina Faso, West Africa , Clarisse Barbier

Fields Brook Superfund Site: Race, Class, and Environmental Justice in a Blasted Landscape , Richard C. Bargielski

The Effects of Feudalism on Medieval English Mobility: A Biological Distance Study Using Nonmetric Cranial Traits. , Jonathan H. Barkmeier

Before the Storm: Water and Energy Utilities, Human Vulnerability and Disaster Risk , Cori D. Bender

Recipes for the Living and the Dead: Technological Investigation of Ceramics from prehistoric Sicily. The case studies of Sant’Angelo Muxaro and Polizzello , Gianpiero Caso

Save Water Drink Wine: Challenges of Implementing the Ethnography of the Temecula Valley Wine Industry into Food-Energy-Water Nexus Decision-Making , Zaida E. Darley

İYo luché! : Uncovering and Interrupting Silencing in an Indigenous and Afro-descendant Community , Eileen Cecelia Deluca

Unwritten Records: Crime and Punishment in Early Virginia , Jessica L. Gantzert

‘It’s Been a Huge Stress’: An In-Depth, Exploratory Study of Vaccine Hesitant Parents in Southern California , Mika Kadono

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Elemental Analysis in Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology , Kelsi N. Kuehn

Middle Woodland Mounds of the Lower Chattahoochee, Lower Flint, and Apalachicola River Basin , Michael H. Lockman

Overturning the Turnbull Settlement: Artifact Analysis of the Old Stone Wharf in New Smyrna Beach, Florida , Tracy R. Lovingood

“They will think we are the Cancer Family”: Studying Patterns of Cancer Disclosure and Communication among Indian Immigrants in the United States , Kanan Mehta

Museum Kura Hulanda: Representations of Transatlantic Slavery and African and Dutch Heritage in Post-Colonial Curaçao , April Min

Nurses and Needlesticks: Perceptions of Stigma and HIV Risk , Bethany Sharon Moore

Circadian Rhythms and the Embodiment of Social Zeitgebers: Linking the Bio and Social , Tiffany R. Moore

Civic Engagement amid Civil Unrest: Haitian Social Scientists Working at Home , Nadège Nau

“Placing our breasts on a hot kerosene lantern”: A Critical Study of Microfinancialization in the Lives of Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economic Sector in Ibadan, Nigeria , Olubukola Olayiwola

Domestic Life during the Late Intermediate Period at El Campanario Site, Huarmey Valley, Peru , Jose Luis Peña

Archaeology and the Philosopher's Stance: An Advance in Ethics and Information Accessibility , Dina Rivera

A South Florida Ethnography of Mobile Home Park Residents Organizing Against Neoliberal Crony Capitalist Displacement , Juan Guillermo Ruiz

From Colonial Legacy to Difficult Heritage: Responding to and Remembering An Gorta Mór , Ireland’s Great Hunger , Katherine Elizabeth Shakour

The Role of Financial Insecurity and Expectations on Perspectives of Mental Health Services among Refugees , Jacqueline M. Siven

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Trauma Analysis in Cases of Child Fatality , Jaime D. Sykes

Governmentality, Biopower, and Sexual Citizenship: A Feminist Examination of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Experiences of 18-24 Year-Olds in the U.S. Southeast , Melina K. Taylor

Characterizing Childhood and Diet in Migration Period Hungary , Kirsten A. Verostick

An Ethnography of WaSH Infrastructures and Governance in Sulphur Springs, Florida , Mathews Jackon Wakhungu

A Plan for Progress, Preservation, and Presentation at the Safety Harbor Museum and Cultural Center , Amanda L. Ward

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Pathways to Parenthood: Attitudes and Preferences of Eight Self-Identified Queer Women Living in Tampa Bay, FL , Emily Noelle Baker

"It's Not Addiction Until You Graduate": Natural Recovery in the College Context , Breanne I. Casper

Tales of Trafficking: Performing Women's Narratives in a Sex Trafficking Rehabilitation Program in Florida , Jaine E. Danlag

Perceptions of Infrastructure, Flood Management, and Environmental Redevelopment in the University Area, Hillsborough County, Florida , Kris-An K. Hinds

Eating in America: Easing the Transition for Resettled Refugees through an Applied Anthropological Intervention , Emily A. Holbrook

Genetic Testing and the Power of the Provider: Women’s Experiences with Cancer Genetic Testing , Dana Erin Ketcher

An Archaeological Investigation of Enslavement at Gamble Plantation , S. Matthew Litteral

“Right in the Trenches with Them”: Caregiving, Advocacy, and the Political Economy of Community Health Workers , Ryan I. Logan

Exploring Variations in Diet and Migration from Late Antiquity to the Early Medieval Period in the Veneto, Italy: A Biochemical Analysis , Ashley B. Maxwell

Least of My Worries: Food Security, Diet Quality, and Antiretroviral Adherence among People Living with HIV , Charlotte Ann Noble

The Tampa Gym Study: An Ethnographic Exploration of Gyms, Female Gym-Goers and The Quest for Fitness in Tampa, FL , Danielle Reneé Rosen

Environmental Legacies of Pre-Contact and Historic Land Use in Antigua, West Indies , Anthony Richard Tricarico

“What I Hadn’t Realized is How Difficult it is, You Know?”: Examining the Protective Factors and Barriers to Breastfeeding in the UK , Cheyenne R. Wagi

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

“I Want Ketchup on my Rice”: The Role of Child Agency on Arab Migrant Families Food and Foodways , Faisal Kh. Alkhuzaim

Exploring Explicit Fanfiction as a Vehicle for Sex Education among Adolescents and Young Adults , Donna Jeanne Barth

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Article Contents

Molecular analysis of skeletal evidence, migrant identification, search, detection and recovery, commingling analysis, biomechanics of bone trauma, decomposition research, bone microscopy, isotope analysis, facial imaging, recent advances in forensic anthropology.

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Douglas H. Ubelaker, Recent Advances in Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Sciences Research , Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2018, Pages 275–277, https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2018.1466384

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Forensic anthropology involves diverse applications of anthropological knowledge to medico-legal problems. While the applications are evidence-driven, the available scientific methodology and foundation have developed through decades of research and experience. The roots of this field are anchored in comparative human anatomy but methodology has developed through experimentation, the assemblage of documented collections and databases and thoughtful research design. While forensic anthropology represents a mature scientific field, it continues to evolve and advance through new, innovative global research. Much of this progress is fuelled by issues encountered in casework. The unique evidence and problems presented in forensic cases call for the very best scientific approaches available. Usually, the correct approaches and solutions can be found in the existing scientific literature. However, sometimes the unique issues presented by the casework cannot be addressed adequately with the existing techniques. These situations stimulate forensic anthropologists to seek new solutions through targeted research.

This Special Issue presents research advances in several areas of forensic anthropology that have sustained rapid, recent progress. While our journals continually reveal new information in all aspects of forensic anthropology, several areas of investigation have registered particularly strong academic interest featuring innovative research.

Successful recovery and analysis of DNA has dramatically affected many areas of forensic science. In the field of forensic anthropology, molecular analysis can yield highly accurate information regarding the sex of the individual represented and provide positive identification [ 1 ]. Molecular approaches also can contribute to ancestry evaluation and species recognition. The use of DNA for positive identification has had a major impact on the practice of forensic anthropology and related fields of forensic science.

While the merits and contributions of DNA analysis are profound, many related issues express the need for new, innovative research and technological development. Frequently, evidence submitted for forensic anthropological analysis is not in pristine condition. In many cases, recovered remains are incomplete and/or extremely degraded due to criminal activity and/or taphonomic factors. Some site investigations produce only small fragments where even species is not apparent. Decisions need to be made regarding what areas of bone or tooth should be examined. Since DNA analysis is an expensive and destructive process, these decisions are critical and can affect the outcome of the case. Of course, decisions regarding the type of DNA analysis also are critical and largely driven by both the availability of the antemortem information and the nature of the evidence. Experimentation and casework experience have greatly improved approaches to these issues.

Deaths related to the global movement of undocumented people across national borders present major forensic challenges. Even within countries, identification of citizens can be difficult with incomplete evidence and lack of information regarding missing persons. These problems are greatly exacerbated when different countries are involved and the international movement of the person represented is not registered officially. Such cases call for extraordinary investigation, thoughtful forensic analysis and international communication. These efforts can strain the available local resources and often fall short of positive identification.

Recent years have witnessed remarkable efforts to address the identification of deceased, undocumented border crossers. These initiatives have involved international cooperation, careful exhumation procedures, comprehensive anthropological analysis and new techniques such as isotope analysis to identify the likely regions/countries of origin.

The entire process of forensic anthropological investigation begins with the procedures of search, detection and recovery. Improper or inadequate detection and recovery of human remains can compromise the downstream analysis and interpretation. While the traditional techniques of surface survey and excavation continue to be needed, new approaches, especially those using advanced technology offer significant advances.

Search procedures can be especially challenging when only very general information is available regarding the likely location of human remains. Topographic features can present limitations, especially with dense vegetation and other ground cover. Investigations of humanitarian and human rights issues can present special search and recovery challenges when information suggests that wells, cisterns, sewer systems, mass graves or disposal in water were involved. Confronted with these problems, researchers have devised innovative new approaches to improve the probability of success.

Secondary deposits of human remains or those that have sustained significant disturbance involve loss of normal bone articulation patterns. When multiple individuals are involved, the resulting commingling presents challenges to determine the number of persons represented and to assemble remains of individuals for analysis, identification and return to families. Traditional approaches to commingling problems have involved sorting by the type and side (left or right) of bone, age at death, bone size and maturation, sex and pathological conditions. In some skeletal assemblages, taphonomic indicators can be helpful as well.

Once obvious sorting has been completed, questions persist regarding bone morphology related to individuals. Could a robust femur relate to a robust humerus and represent one individual? Recent advances in commingling analysis address this issue. New databases and computerized techniques establish the probabilities that different bones could relate to the same individual. Applications refine the determination of the number of individuals represented and facilitate analysis aimed at identification.

A primary function of anthropological analysis relates to the interpretation of bone trauma. Anthropologists must differentiate the skeletal alterations representing perimortem trauma from those relating to antemortem injury, developmental features or postmortem and taphonomic factors. Assessment of the biomechanical factors involved plays a key role in any interpretation. Knowledge of biomechanical principles is required to explain fracture patterns and other alterations likely related to perimortem trauma. Interpretation of bone trauma can be challenging. Such challenges have led to greater understanding of the principles involved and experimental work designed to improve interpretation.

Major new initiatives in forensic anthropology have focused on decomposition research. Experiments involving both humans and non-human animals have revealed great detail about the process and variation of soft tissue decomposition and hard tissue alteration. In general, such research has elucidated the many factors that influence both the nature and timing of the decomposition process. Clearly temperature and location (surface, in-ground, aquatic, etc.) have long been regarded as key factors. Research has also indicated that soil conditions, moisture, body composition, body condition, presence of clothing or enclosures, funerary treatment and many other factors can influence the process. Such information is needed to properly assess time since death (post-mortem interval) and post-mortem events related to criminal activity.

In 1965, Ellis R. Kerley [ 2 ] published a technique that allowed age at death to be estimated from microscopic examination of features in human compact bone from the femur, tibia and fibula. Kerley's procedure involved the examination of primary osteons, secondary osteons, osteon fragments and the extent of remaining circumferential lamellar bone. This approach gained recognition due to its reported accuracy and the fundamental processes of bone formation and remodelling that it expressed. Since 1965, the technique has undergone many revisions and expansions for application to other bones of the skeleton. Research also has revealed how bone microscopic examination can provide useful information on many issues of forensic anthropological analysis.

For decades, analysis of elemental stable isotopes has offered key anthropological information related to diet. Stable carbon isotopes recovered from human tissues have revealed if diet focused on plants with a C 3 photosynthetic pathway or a C 4 pathway and the herbivores that fed upon them. Analysis of nitrogen isotopes provides insight into the trophic level of human diet. In anthropological studies of ancient populations, such information is crucial to interpretations of dietary and horticultural practices.

Recently, researchers have applied the concepts of isotopic analysis to examine the geographical origin of human remains. When unidentified human remains are recovered in forensic contexts, investigators question if they represent someone who lived in the area of recovery or from somewhere else. This question is especially relevant in cases involving terrorism and unidentified possible migrants. Using a battery of stable isotope analyses, researchers can determine if the isotopic signatures from the unknown match local baseline data. If not, attempts can be made to determine from what geographic area the unknown originated. This exciting new area of forensic science investigation depends on the assemblage of baseline data from appropriate geographic regions.

Forensic anthropologists relate to issues of facial imaging in facial approximation, craniofacial photographic superimposition and interpretations of surveillance images. Facial approximation refers to the process of estimating the living facial image of a person from the evidence presented by a recovered skull. This technique is used to reach out to the public for leads in missing persons that could culminate in identification using other methods.

Craniofacial photographic superimposition involves comparing a facial photograph of a missing person with a recovered skull. This technique is used primarily to exclude when photographs are available of a missing person thought perhaps to be represented by the recovered remains.

Recent research has focused on enhanced use of computers and related technology, as well as targeted efforts to clarify the relationship between soft and hard tissues. Facial approximation continues to represent a blend of art and science; however, recent advances have strengthened the scientific foundation.

Articles in this Special Issue of Forensic Sciences Research focus on overviews of the published literature on these topics. They also share results from the latest innovative research on these key areas of forensic anthropology applications.

Baker L . Biomolecular applications . In: Blau S Ubelaker DH , editors. Handbook of forensic anthropology and archaeology . 2nd. ed. New York: Routledge ; 2016 . p. 416 – 429 .

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Kerley ER . The microscopic determination of age in human bone . Am J Phys Anth . 1965 ; 23 : 149 – 163 .

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Biology (Basel)

Forensic Anthropology as a Discipline

Nicholas v. passalacqua.

1 Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723, USA

Marin A. Pilloud

2 Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA; ude.rnu@duollipm

Derek Congram

3 Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; ac.ufs@margnoc_d

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Simple Summary

Forensic anthropology in the United States is a specialization within the overall field of anthropology. Forensic anthropologists are specially educated and trained to search, recover, and examine human remains within a medicolegal context. Over time, forensic anthropology has become increasingly specialized and distinct from other specializations within anthropology. As such, we argue that forensic anthropology should be considered its own discipline, with a unique knowledge base, separate from other similar forms of anthropology, such a bioarchaeology. We argue that forensic anthropologists have unique expertise, making them the only type of anthropologist qualified to perform medicolegal examinations of human remains. Finally, we contend that to perform or represent yourself as a forensic anthropologist without the appropriate expertise is ethical misconduct. The value of this paper is that it explains the importance of expertise and knowledge, and how forensic anthropology has diverged from other specializations of anthropology enough to be considered its own discipline.

This paper explores the current state of forensic anthropology in the United States as a distinct discipline. Forensic anthropology has become increasingly specialized and the need for strengthened professionalization is becoming paramount. This includes a need for clearly defined qualifications, training, standards of practice, certification processes, and ethical guidelines. Within this discussion, the concept of expertise is explored in relation to professionalization and practice, as both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology have different areas of specialist knowledge, and therefore unique expertise . As working outside one’s area of expertise is an ethical violation, it is important for professional organizations to outline requisite qualifications, develop standards and best practice guidelines, and enforce robust preventive ethical codes in order to serve both their professional members and relevant stakeholders.

1. Introduction

Bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology are two closely related specializations of biological anthropology that examine human remains to understand the life experience and biological parameters of the individuals from which the remains are derived. In this treatment, we focus specifically on these two disciplines as they are closely linked by their study of anatomically modern human skeletal remains. We also limit our focus to the United States, recognizing that there are distinct education, practice, and professional qualification standards in different countries; in part stemming from different national/regional education systems and legal statutes. While forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology have different goals, both disciplines use similar approaches and sometimes the same methods to examine human remains, typically, gross skeletal material (to include bones and teeth) to determine such parameters as species (to ensure the remains are human in origin), sex (sometimes gender in conjunction with other contextual information), age (sometimes stage-of-life/life history), and stature (living height). Both disciplines also perform more complex analyses examining such characteristics as population variation in terms of biological distance (sometimes called ancestry/population affinity/boaffinity), antemortem and perimortem trauma, taphonomic modifications (sometimes postmortem interval), anomalous and pathological conditions, skeletal indicators of biological stress, and inferential data using archaeological context (sometimes mortuary patterns).

Bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology derive from biological anthropology, but are, at least in their ideal forms as practiced in the model of the United States, hybrids of both biological anthropology and archaeology. Both disciplines require the understanding of human bone biology as well as archaeological context and taphonomic changes to generate comprehensive conclusions about the lives (and in some cases the death or death event) of individuals. They draw from agency theory regarding the introduction of human remains into the archaeological record usually via culturally intentional actions for various purposes that can reflect culture and cultural identity more broadly [ 1 ]. Additionally, both are firmly entrenched in anthropology through their biocultural approach to understanding human biological adaptation, or the interpretation of skeletal modifications (during life, at death, and after death) through a cultural lens.

In the current paradigm, it is not uncommon for an individual trained in one subdiscipline of biological anthropology to offer expertise and services in another, and this is particularly common between bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. In fact, Ubelaker [ 2 ] p. 137, claimed, “[t]he symbiotic and dynamic relationship of these academic areas greatly improves the quality of the applications of each”. Contrarily, Juarez [ 3 ] argued that a focus on the commonalities between bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology is problematic as it does not emphasize the differences and boundaries of each discipline. Thompson [ 4 ] p. 68, agrees that viewing the work of a forensic anthropologist as being easily done by any trained osteologist is “a misperception of what the subject involves through focusing on methods while ignoring context”. While, Ross [ 5 ] argued that forensic anthropologists are inherently more stringent in analyses and could do all that a bioarchaeologist can do, but not vice versa. While we agree with Ubelaker [ 2 ] in that both disciplines benefit from each other, we also agree in concept with Juarez, Thompson, and Ross in that both disciplines are becoming increasingly complex and specialized, such that education and training in one discipline do not translate into competency or expertise in the other.

This disagreement has precipitated the need for increased professionalization in terms of standardizing education, defining qualifications, defining and implementing ethical codes, and reconsidering the roles played by professional organizations within both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. We view all these issues as interwoven and each influencing the other; however, thus far, they have not been explicitly addressed comprehensively in the literature.

As both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology have grown significantly in the last few decades, it has become prudent to explore their differences and similarities and the need for their individualization and professionalization in terms of defining qualifications (i.e., education and training needed to demonstrate adequate knowledge to perform discipline-related tasks in an applied setting) and expertise. These topics must also be framed as issues that would best be addressed by professional organizations, as disciplinary leaders harnessing the power of their communities of practitioners. This exercise is not a means of academic gatekeeping ; but rather a means to identify minimum standards and best practices of what to expect at a minimum from an individual practicing a particular profession [ 6 , 7 ].

The goal of this paper is to consider both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology as unique disciplines, having diverged due to increasing specialization and scholarly distancing; thus, bioarchaeologists and forensic anthropologists have their own unique areas of expertise and spheres of practice. While bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology can vary greatly in their education and practice globally, we focus on the practice of these subdisciplines within the United States. For overviews of forensic anthropology in other countries, there are several excellent treatments to which the reader can refer, e.g., [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. In this treatment, we begin with a brief discussion on the trend of increasing specialization and decreasing overlap in educational programs and scholarship between the two disciplines. We follow with a definition and discussion on the scholarship of expertise and its relevance to considering bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology as unique expertise. We then expand this discussion within the context of professional qualifications, primarily in regard to the role of ethical codes and professional organizations. Next, we provide an overview of qualifications and their importance in relation to expertise, education, and practice, followed by a discussion of how to codify expertise and practice using best practice recommendations and standards documents, which are becoming ever more popular within the forensic sciences and may soon be required for practice within that context. Finally, we conclude with recommendations for the future, a call for greater consideration of the importance of qualifications as a means of respecting both the remains of those we study and their extant next-of-kin/communities, and provide a glossary (Glossary) defining several of the terms used throughout this paper for standardization and clarification.

The Divergence of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology

Early versions of both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology were originally practiced by physicians, anatomists, and biological anthropologists with interests in the examination of the human skeleton. The examination of skeletal remains, as well as the types of research questions addressed, have always been dependent upon the contexts from which the remains were derived. When skeletons within archaeological contexts are excavated, researchers want to know about the life experiences of these individuals. Hypotheses may be formulated to pursue research around migration, diet, stress, violence, social structure, disease loads, activity levels, disability, mortuary practices, fertility, demography, growth and development, and life history, among many others, e.g., [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].

When modern skeletons are discovered, anthropologists and the medicolegal community want to know the identity and circumstances of the death of that individual. To pursue identification, they may estimate the individual’s biological profile (i.e., age, ancestry/population affinity, sex, and stature), describe individualizing features, and compare ante- and postmortem data, e.g., [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. They are also interested in the circumstances surrounding the death event, illustrated by perimortem trauma and taphonomic alterations, and potentially estimating a postmortem interval, e.g., [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Research also exists on the applicability of indicators of biological stress as part of the identification process [ 58 ] and investigations into gross human rights violations and structural violence [ 59 , 60 , 61 ]. However, the collection or analysis of such data is not routinely performed as part of forensic anthropological casework (i.e., reports provided in a medicolegal context).

Over the past several decades, various methods have been developed to best address the research agendas of each discipline, with differing foci based on the context-dependent nature of these investigations. Academically, these differing research agendas have increasingly diverged into academic programs and graduate advisors specializing in bioarchaeological or forensic anthropological approaches. In doing so, bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology have slowly deviated in terms of professional conferences attended [ 62 ], academic advisors and institutions, bodies of literature, venues of publication, and professional memberships. Through this divergence, they have become more and more isolated from each other, developing separate communities of practice with separate “social lives” [ 63 ]. All scientific disciplines essentially function in this manner, effectively “mold[ing] their disciplines by pedagogically fashioning their disciples” [ 64 ] p. 381. The choices made by academic hiring committees for future directions of a program are the same as those made by graduate student advisors in that they are purposeful, active choices, which intentionally shape future generations of pedagogy [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ].

It is unclear precisely when individuals in the United States studying human skeletons from archaeological contexts, being educated in biological anthropology, began to identify as bioarchaeologists , or when individuals studying human skeletons in medicolegal contexts being educated in biological anthropology began to identify as forensic anthropologists ; that is, as opposed to identifying as biological/physical anthropologists. It is likely that as each subdiscipline increased in popularity, practitioners began to self-identify as one or the other. According to Snow [ 69 ] and Tersigni-Tarrant and Langley [ 70 ], individuals began identifying as forensic anthropologists in the 1970s; however, this trend grew in the 1980s when forensic anthropology began to gain popularity from the work of William Bass, Walter Birkby, William Maples, and their graduate students (John Williams, personal communication 2019).

In the 1990s, bioarchaeology began to increase in visibility with the passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), which required trained osteologists to assist in repatriation efforts. Additionally in the 1990s, two formative publications in bioarchaeology were released: Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains [ 71 ] and Clark Spencer Larsen’s [ 72 ] B ioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton . It is likely, then, that around the 1980s and 1990s individuals began to identify as either bioarchaeologists or forensic anthropologists, pursuing graduate advisors based on such foci and graduate programs with discipline-specific education programs. While there are some individuals who practice both and who consider themselves a bioarchaeologist and a forensic anthropologist, this number has likely decreased over the past several decades based on our observation of the subdisciplines, and may continue to do so as each becomes more specialized. An increase in full-time applied positions for forensic anthropologists [ 73 ] has also surely influenced this trend.

Considering the divergence of bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology, Buikstra et al. [ 74 ] found large increases in publications focusing on bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology starting in the 1970s, corresponding with the incipient formalization of both areas of study. However, Buikstra et al. [ 74 ] also demonstrated that while bioarchaeological literature was found in a variety of anthropological journals, forensic anthropological literature was increasingly published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences to the exclusion of other more anthropologically focused journals. Bethard [ 75 ] also demonstrated this trend by practicing forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA). Bethard [ 75 ] found that based solely on the focus of dissertation subjects, representing the focus of graduate research projects, forensic anthropologists have increasingly pursued forensic anthropological research topics, rather than bioarchaeological or other more general biological anthropology topics, particularly since 2005.

Only recently have the first journals dedicated to bioarchaeology or forensic anthropology been established. Arguably, the first journal dedicated to bioarchaeology was the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology , established in 1991 and published by Wiley. Although, like the term osteoarchaeology itself, this journal has a heavy European focus and includes many publications on the analysis of non-human remains. It was not until 2017 that the journal Bioarchaeology International was established, published by the University of Florida Press [ 76 ]; this journal was followed one year later in 2018 by the first journal dedicated to forensic anthropology, Forensic Anthropology [ 77 ], also published by University of Florida Press (Gainesville, FL, USA).

Martin [ 78 ] p. 163, points out that bioarchaeologists have long been critical of forensic anthropological work as being “merely technical expertise”. She fully admits that she used to be one of those bioarchaeologists who questioned “where is the anthropology in forensic anthropology?” [ 78 ] p. 163; yet, she has changed her viewpoint on the topic in a recognition that forensic anthropology is not an atheoretical practice. Martin is more hopeful on the integration of the interests of bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology, and has been involved in editing volumes that promote this integration of bioarchaeological and forensic anthropological approaches to research questions, e.g., [ 79 , 80 ]. She offers the term “forensic bioarchaeologist” as a means to promote this cross-disciplinary effort [ 78 ]. The term “forensic bioarchaeologist” was previously introduced by Scott and Connor [ 81 ], Skinner and colleagues [ 82 ], and Jessee and Skinner [ 83 ]. The latter two used it as a means of integration of archaeological methods and theory into medicolegal investigations of mass graves. Of particular pertinence to this discussion, Skinner et al. (2003) promoted guidelines for bioarchaeological practice in a forensic context. Nevertheless, the term “forensic bioarchaeologist”, has generally not been adopted.

Conversely, Steadman [ 84 ] discourages the use of such a term, arguing that it may serve to obscure the lines between forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. In an academic sense, this may be “harmless” [ 84 ] p. 251; however, the term may cause confusion in the public about the distinction between the two disciplines, which she feels could potentially be problematic for jurors. We too argue the term could blur the boundaries of qualifications and expertise between the two disciplines, which is challenging for law enforcement and those working in the medicolegal realm. The further confounding of the two subdisciplines is also evidenced by the American Journal of Physical Anthropology ’s manuscript submission system. In this system, authors must designate a manuscript by “subfield”, with the only relevant choice for bioarchaeology or forensic anthropology being: “Bioarchaeology [including forensics]”.

We agree with Martin [ 78 ] p. 163, and Ubelaker [ 2 ] (as discussed previously) that the subdisciplines of bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology are independent and complementary and while they may differ in focus, contextual application, and specific hypotheses, they can learn much from each other. We firmly believe that a clear standardization of education, training, and qualifications is the best way for this mutual appreciation and professionalization to be achieved. The first step in this process is recognizing a lack of cross-disciplinary expertise, which can be achieved through a broader understanding of what constitutes expertise, as we discuss further below.

2. Disciplinary Expertise

As we argued above and as others have demonstrated [ 74 , 85 ], while lacking published qualifications, bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology have developed into their own disciplines each with their own areas of expertise, bodies of literature, analytical methods, theoretical models, and education programs. However, it is important to discuss what expertise is and how it is created to fully appreciate the implications of differing expertise (and thus different disciplinary skills). Typically, we consider experts to have authoritative knowledge or skill in a particular area, while laymen are non-professional individuals lacking expertise [ 29 , 30 , 86 , 87 , 88 ]. A depth of literature has emerged relatively recently examining experience, expertise, and the sociology of scientific knowledge, e.g., [ 63 , 86 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 ]. We include a brief discussion of this literature here for some of the same reasons Collins [ 93 ] p. 127, was motivated to pioneer this avenue of inquiry, “to persuade sociologists [here, anthropologists] to reflect upon their expertises”.

Collins and Evans [ 108 ], present models of various forms of specialist expertise along a two- or three-dimensional spectrum [ 97 , 98 , 100 ]. Within specialist expertise exist two main types of knowledge, “Ubiquitous Tacit Knowledge” and “Specialist Tacit Knowledge” ( Table 1 ). The first, “Ubiquitous Tacit Knowledge” (i.e., information) may be generated simply via reading without interacting with the appropriate contributory experts, this is knowledge that is easily accessible and therefore common knowledge. The novice level of “Ubiquitous Tacit Knowledge” is considered “beer mat” (knowledge of very superficial facts about a topic that you might find on a beer mat/coaster). The next level is “popular understanding”, which can be achieved through popular non-fiction books and general media. “Primary source knowledge” involves engaging with the primary literature; however, this literature still only provides “a shallow or misleading appreciation of science in deeply disputed areas”, which is far from obvious for the uninitiated [ 108 ] p. 22.

Levels of expertise based on Collins and Evans (2007).

“Specialist Tacit Knowledge” must be acquired via interactions and enculturation with practicing professionals [ 100 ], and serves as the necessary knowledge base(s) to practice a discipline. Specialist Tacit Knowledge ranges from “interactional expertise” to “contributory expertise” [ 108 ]. Interactional expertise is essentially the ability to interact with other experts using their language/jargon and understanding the concepts being discussed, but lacking the full expertise to practice [ 102 ]. Contributory expertise is traditional technical expertise, where the practitioner is the contributory and interactional expert, meaning they are able to discuss/interact with other individuals at a complex level and able to perform complex disciplinary tasks competently [ 105 ]. With these definitions of types of knowledge, expertise can be defined as “the mastery of the tacit knowledge of a domain of practice, with interactional expertise being mastery of the domain’s language, and contributory expertise being the ability to competently engage in the practices of that domain” [ 104 ] p. 99.

As both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology share many common lower-level knowledge areas, individuals educated in either discipline have some specialist knowledge of the other, representing what Collins and Evans [ 108 ] refer to as Primary Source Knowledge. For example, both may use the same method to estimate the sex of skeletal remains. However, as specialization increases, there is less and less overlap in knowledge, and the expertise required to interpret method results and generate reports becomes more exclusive. For example, bioarchaeologists must understand the historical context of the samples they are analyzing and when possible, work with descendent communities; while forensic anthropologists must understand jurisdiction, chain of custody, and admissibility of evidence.

These distinctions in knowledge area and specialist expertise are important, as without the appropriate “Specialist Tacit Knowledge”, practitioners/researchers may perform tasks inappropriately and/or incorrectly. As Collins and Evans [ 108 ] p. 22, state: “it can be shown that what is found in the literature, if read by someone with no contact with the core-groups of scientists who actually carry out the research in disputed areas, can give a false impression of the content of the science as well as the level of certainty”. In other contexts, this concept is often referred to as the Dunning–Kruger effect, or essentially the ignorance of one’s ignorance [ 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 ]. Individuals have just enough knowledge to understand the primary literature, but not enough to fully grasp the nuances of this material or how to properly discuss or apply it. The implications of which are that bioarchaeologists and forensic anthropologists, as contributory experts in their respective disciplines, can be ignorant of their lack of cross-disciplinary expertise. Collins and Evans state: “Enculturation” is the only way to master an expertise which is deeply laden with tacit knowledge because it is only through common practice with others that the rules that cannot be written down can come to be understood” [ 108 ] p. 24. Essentially, as knowledge becomes more specialized, individuals interested in acquiring this knowledge must rely on practitioners’ practices (i.e., experiential training programs) rather than literature (i.e., educational programs) [ 104 ]. Returning to bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology, essentially, the only way to develop contributory expertise in one of these disciplines is through enculturation in a bioarchaeological or forensic anthropological educational and/or training program supervised by a contributory expert in that discipline. This is not to say that individuals cannot be experts in both disciplines, rather it means that dual expertise requires individuals to develop contributory expertise in both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. As Collins and Evans [ 108 ] point out, lacking such enculturation at the level of contributory expertise leads to overconfidence and poor performance (i.e., the Dunning–Kruger effect).

It is important to reiterate here that the focus is on education and training by other contributory experts, working towards building a body of knowledge and practical skills in a way that is consistent with how the discipline (i.e., other contributory experts) operates. This “enculturation” is not a form of limiting access to knowledge, but rather as means of acquiring knowledge in such a way that the learner will develop interactional expertise (being able to have high-level discussions with other contributory experts, using the appropriate processes) and contributory expertise (being able to use methods, technology, etc., in such a way that it contributes to the greater body of scholarly knowledge of a discipline). This is not a new concept and is essentially how academia currently operates. That is, students attend graduate school at programs that have education programs in which they are interested, working with advisors doing work similar to what they want to do as professionals. While academia is not without its major flaws, the argument here is simply that training and education are critical to gaining the requisite skills to perform disciplinary tasks. The arguments presented here are the first step in recognizing the need for developing expertise, the next step would be to develop such training and education programs. As a discipline, we can and should critically evaluate what this training looks like and how we define demonstrable expertise in a way that is inclusionary and equitable.

3. Ethics, Expertise, and the Role of Professional Organizations

Professional organizations like the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the American Association of Physical/Biological Anthropologists (AAPA/AABA), the Society for American Archaeology (SAA), and the American Anthropological Association (AAA) exist largely to provide individuals in that profession opportunities to network, organize, and serve and engage with the public. Additionally, these organizations typically provide professional development and continuing education opportunities, which is why student members are often encouraged to join as a means to facilitate disciplinary enculturation and entrée into the profession at large, which can also serve to provide them with the necessary expertise to practice their discipline. Further, organizational ethical codes should address qualifications so as to define the proper education and/or training to perform discipline-related tasks. Such a definition would prevent an individual from performing applied work outside their area of expertise, which is an ethical violation. Here, we first outline the need for professional ethical guidelines, and then we revisit the role these organizations can play in providing qualifications for members.

4. Why Do We Need Professional Ethical Guidelines?

A professional is someone who: (1) possesses a body of special knowledge (i.e., contributory expertise), (2) practices within an ethical framework (i.e., adheres to a code of ethics and avoids conflicts of interest), and (3) fulfills a societal need [ 6 , 7 , 113 ]. Professionalism is conduct associated with a particular profession. Both bioarchaeology, e.g., [ 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 ] and forensic anthropology, e.g., [ 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 ] have extensive literature regarding ethical conduct and practice. However, ethical codes are typically established, and presumably enforced, by professional organizations. Ethical codes are used to: (1) establish conduct that is meant to be pursued by practitioners of a discipline (altruistic behavior); (2) establish conduct that must be avoided (i.e., misconduct), and (3) provide potential negative outcomes for practitioners engaging in misconduct [ 113 , 125 ]. Professional ethics are typically presented in the form of either aspirational guidelines or preventive standards [ 126 ]. Aspirational ethical codes are meant to promote human wellbeing and present a number of guiding and/or motivational behaviors that an organization would like its members to follow/achieve. Preventive ethical codes are enforced by an adjudicating committee within an organization that performs an investigation when a complaint of misconduct alleges that an individual acted unethically [ 113 ]. The content of ethical codes for professional organizations vary, but should generally be structured to ensure members avoid unprofessional conduct, so as to maintain the credibility of the profession and professional organization. Without clear professional ethics, a discipline does not have guidelines for acceptable or unacceptable behavior, such that there can be no good or bad conduct, and all actions must be treated equally [ 127 ] p. 233.

In terms of the meaningful implementation of professional ethics, there are two essential issues that must be addressed. The first is that ethical codes must be detailed enough so that specific types of conduct considered to be unethical are demonstrably so. Second, ethical codes must be enforceable, with negative outcomes for individuals found guilty of misconduct. The importance of these issues is perhaps most easily demonstrable in terms of U.S. politics, where ethical guidelines are often ignored when ethical misconduct is not actually against the law, and the language of ethical guidelines is vague and not rigorously enforced [ 128 , 129 , 130 ]. As Josephson states: “there is a big difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do” [ 131 ] p. 4. Unfortunately, the same is also the case in most professional organizations in which bioarchaeologists and forensic anthropologists are members. This is important as the law is meant to represent and enforce values for society as a whole, but is often not specific enough to cover many activities pertinent to a particular profession. Professional ethical codes more directly address discipline-specific values and behaviors.

Because ethical codes are tied to specific organizations, they only apply to the members of those organizations. This means that organizational membership (or lack thereof) plays an important role in establishing and policing the conduct of a profession and its body of practitioners, based on each organization’s ethical code. It also means that each organization should consider the ramifications of its membership requirements in terms of professional qualifications and access to students and non-experts, and how this allows the organization to serve its role within its professional community. Therefore, professional organizations serve a role of providing opportunities for gaining expertise through enculturation by interacting with additional contributory experts, and are positioned to provide sanctions when a member practices outside of their expertise, which could be seen as an ethical violation.

5. The Need for Disciplinary Qualifications

Bioarchaeology has no official or widely accepted published documents in the public or private sector regarding qualifications for bioarchaeological practice, or for the education or training of its practitioners. Currently, anyone claiming to have the appropriate training in bioarchaeology can be employed to perform applied bioarchaeological tasks. This is particularly true in contract archaeology (i.e., cultural resource management [CRM]), where it may be difficult to find qualified osteologists who are also available at the time of the excavation. These companies may then be forced to hire individuals with little osteological training to excavate and perform analyses.

As a recognition of the need for standardized qualifications, there have been some movements to define minimum qualifications to perform osteological analysis and excavation. Within the Code of Colorado Regulations, under Section 13 “Unmarked Human Graves”, point G states, “Pursuant to 24-80-1302(4)(e), the physical anthropological study of human remains shall be conducted by a qualified physical anthropologist with the credentials comparable to those required for principal investigators, as set forth in Section 5 of these regulations” ( https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=541&fileName=8%20CCR%201504-7 , accessed on 16 July 2021). The qualifications outlined for principal investigators include a graduate degree in anthropology, archaeology, or history with experience in Colorado archaeology; one year of professional experience; four months of supervised field and analytic experience; and the ability to complete research.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has taken this a step further to establish specific guidelines to be a “qualified archaeologist for burial sites or a qualified skeletal analyst”. Their mandatory requirements include a graduate degree in anthropology, at least one year of professional experience or specialized training, at least four months of supervised experience, and the ability to complete a project. The full list of requirements and application instructions can be found on their website: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS14963 , accessed on 16 July 2021. The Society for California Archaeology (SCA) recently sent out an email to members with a draft outline for “recommended qualifications for field osteologists working in California”. Very generally, this guideline would recommend a master’s degree in anthropology and field experience dealing with human remains. There are additional qualifiers such as course work in human osteology, experience with NAGPRA, and a field school with an osteological focus, among others. The guidelines have not been published and are currently out for public comment ( https://form.jotform.com/90855960158972 , accessed on 16 July 2021). Of note, the guidelines would not be enforceable by the SCA, but would serve as recommendations for employers. These guidelines for qualifications address specialist expertise by requiring not only advanced education but also having already worked as a professional and having been supervised to gain enculturation.

Within forensic anthropology, Galloway and Simmons [ 132 ] identified deficiencies in the standardization of education and training in forensic anthropology over two decades ago. As a result, more formal efforts were taken up by the Scientific Working Group for Anthropology (SWGAnth) to establish guidelines for Qualifications [ 133 ], and Education and Training [ 134 ]. However, these documents were never widely adopted, nor are they enforceable. Passalacqua and Pilloud [ 85 ] surveyed practicing forensic anthropologists and found large variations in terms of graduate coursework taken by the survey participants. The survey also demonstrated a lack of consensus among practicing forensic anthropologists in what constituted appropriate education and training in forensic anthropology. However, there was overwhelming agreement that clear standards for education are needed, with a high degree of support (96%) for developing an accreditation for forensic anthropology educational programs. Additionally, Langley and Tersigni-Tarrant [ 135 ] outlined a model to develop qualifications in forensic anthropology based on medical education. In this model, there would be a set of core competencies demonstrated via various “entrustable professional activities”. Once core competencies are clearly identified and agreed upon, appropriate training and certification (to demonstrate expertise) could be implemented.

There are currently no certifications for the profession of bioarchaeology, however, job ads in the United Kingdom for osteologists have added “professional grade membership of the CIFA [Chartered Institute for Archaeologists]” as a desired criterion; which is functionally a certification (albeit not necessarily focused on the analysis of human remains).

While no widely supported guidelines or standards currently exist in terms of education and training, or qualifications within forensic anthropology, there are certification processes see, [ 7 ] for an overview. In Europe, the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE) and the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) oversee certification processes. In Latin America, the Asociación Latinoamericana de Antroplogía Forense (ALAF) also has a certification process. In the United States, the ABFA has a certification process, and is currently the only accredited certifying body for forensic anthropology.

While these certifications may exist, there is still a lack of clear qualifications (i.e., who can practice and how do you educate/train practitioners) within both subdisciplines. This lack of standardized qualifications is problematic as there are no widely agreed-upon standards for determining who is and who is not an expert and thus capable to perform tasks as a bioarchaeologist or a forensic anthropologist. As both disciplines are specialized, it can be difficult for outside agencies to accurately judge the qualifications and requisite expertise of individuals applying to perform these types of analysis. For example, with very few exceptions there are no standards in bioarchaeology to determine who can perform work for NAGPRA repatriation, osteological analysis, or excavation in CRM, or at academic archaeological sites. Nor are there requirements demonstrating expertise to teach bioarchaeological field-schools, or meaningful certifications or competencies gained through attending a field school. All of these things can be problematic for the adequate interpretation of archaeological sites and human remains with an irreplaceable loss of data and information (when analyses are permitted), particularly in cases of repatriation and reburial. Moreover, while there is a certification process within forensic anthropology, there is no legal requirement that a forensic anthropologist must be certified in order to perform such analyses in a medicolegal context. In fact, any such self-identified specialist can be tasked to perform this work. Contracting unqualified individuals to perform forensic anthropological casework can result in improper conclusions, which can hinder identification efforts (or worse, misidentify a person) and could have enormous consequences during the litigation process, for the analyst, their employer and, critically, for the family of the deceased.

The ramifications of the differences in the disciplines are that if an individual without the appropriate education and training acts beyond their professional expertise, they are misrepresenting their qualifications and could potentially do harm to the research project, field recovery, forensic case/investigation, descendant populations (as occurred with the well-known example of “The Ancient One”, also known as Kennewick Man [ 136 , 137 , 138 ], and/or the entire discipline; and are thus acting unethically. As such, professionals and professional organizations should be critically concerned about qualifications, expertise, and ethical practice. It cannot be expected that law enforcement agencies, attorneys, CRM firms, museums, or a medicolegal authority be trained in examining the nuances of an anthropological degree to determine who is and who is not qualified to be a bioarchaeologist or forensic anthropologist. There must be clear published standards that go beyond education in skeletal analysis as work in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology has become increasingly specialized and individuated.

6. Conclusions: A Way Forward

We attempted to demonstrate that bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology have evolved and diverged into two separate disciplines, each encompassing its own suite of literature, education, training, and qualifications. Additionally, we attempted to illustrate the connection between expertise, ethics, and professional organizations as important aspects to the advancement of, and professional practice in, both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. Both disciplines are in need of the development of standardized education and training programs that reinforce best practice models for their applied foci. Once appropriate models for education and training have been defined, it can become possible for practitioners to demonstrate expertise to achieve credentials in a more meaningful and demonstrable way. Professional organizations should be leading these efforts in addition to establishing robust and enforceable ethical codes and tailoring their membership in such a way as to support the further professionalization of their disciplines.

Thus far, bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology have not fully embraced standardization of practice or qualifications—although forensic anthropology is ahead in this regard [ 7 ]. This shortfall is probably due in part to the largely academic focus of both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology and the lack of familiarity with program accreditation in anthropology generally (although this is common, if not required, in many other academic disciplines, including many of the sciences). However, the accreditation of academic programs specializing in bioarchaeology or forensic anthropology may be a relatively straightforward way to ensure the generation of expertise and qualifications. The generation of consensus-based qualifications (via graduate-level education) for these subdisciplines would not necessitate large changes in curricula within anthropology departments. Rather, these programs may need to make small adjustments to fit the required definitions for accreditation. For example, the definition of qualifications to be a bioarchaeologist could be graduate courses in osteology, bioarchaeology, archaeological theory, and a field school; courses that many bioarchaeologists would readily take and are currently offered by graduate programs. Further, this coursework could be modeled to allow for the development of competency of various related applied skills. For example, the osteology course could provide modules on human vs. non-human identification, or the field school could provide verification of expertise to adequately excavate and document skeletal material within an archaeological context. For forensic anthropology, graduate coursework with a forensic focus, osteology, and a forensic archaeological field school could be required. Competency could be demonstrated via mock or mentored casework.

There are already movements to define qualifications within bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology; however, these should be codified by professional organizations and linked to education and training. Within bioarchaeology, there are regional movements to define qualifications to perform bioarchaeological work, but these efforts are in their earliest stages. As there is currently no professional organization for bioarchaeology, these steps are being taken by other organizations, such as the SCA, the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA), and the state governments in which the work is being performed. These qualifications are still vague and may not be broadly enforced or accepted by the professional community at large. It may be necessary for this work to be undertaken as a working group within the AAPA/AABA, or independently as is being done with forensic anthropology via the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) and the American Academy of Forensic Science Standards Board (ASB). Again, the definition of these qualifications would not serve as a means to hamper research or scientific integrity or as a means of keeping people out of the disciplines, but would aid in determining who is capable of performing disciplinary tasks in an applied setting. It may also be beneficial for bioarchaeology to develop a national certification process similar to the ABFA, which could serve to illustrate requisite expertise or competencies to employers and stakeholders.

Within forensic anthropology, the OSAC and ASB are developing and have published best practice recommendations and standards for performing various disciplinary tasks. As part of this initiative, there is a consideration for education and training, and qualifications; however, these specific documents are not yet finalized. There is already a mechanism to review and approve education programs within the forensic sciences, the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). However, this organization does not currently oversee forensic anthropology programs. Still, the FEPAC model could provide a way forward for accrediting forensic anthropology (and bioarchaeology) educational programs, if necessary. Additionally, the ABFA certification process could be updated and improved to adequately illustrate competencies as outlined by the OSAC and ASB documents.

While this work is being undertaken to improve and standardize both disciplines, there is still very little consequence for not following existing standards or ethical codes. Platitudes on misconduct without operational enforcement mechanisms are not useful. As performing work beyond one’s qualifications is unethical, we argue that professional organizations need to more clearly define ethical codes with enforceable consequences.

Bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology do not operate in a vacuum. Both disciplines examine the remains of deceased humans, and every action, use for, and result from that examination affects the beneficiaries and stakeholders associated with those human remains [ 139 ]. While not commonly considered, there has been a recent push to acknowledge that the dead retain their humanity and thus should be granted rights [ 113 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 ]. Additionally, human subjects have next-of-kin, be they direct living relatives, or more distantly related descendant-communities. As those performing these analyses are often responsible for the curation/custody of these remains, we must acknowledge that we have an ethical and moral responsibility to act in the best interests of these individuals and their next-of-kin (usually defined in open dialogue with relatives and kin). The analyses we perform are used to reach conclusions that are presented in reports, publications, and other media, available to not only the research subject’s next-of-kin, but also the public at large. Bioarchaeological reports may be used to understand past human lifeways and as one part of the process for repatriation and return to descendent communities. Forensic anthropology reports may be used not only to bring closure to a family, but in court to adjudicate innocence or guilt. The conclusions of our work have meaning and reflect upon the identity and lives of the deceased as well as the communities from which they came.

When we consider the importance of this type of work, we should want to ensure that the individual performing an analysis is an expert, and we owe that commitment to our communities and the individuals we study. Incorrect analyses and erroneous conclusions cause harm. As such, we should want to ensure that our students are being educated in the methods and skills necessary to perform their work and best serve not just their discipline, but their research subjects. Further, we should want to ensure that the quality of work we perform as professionals continues to be held to a high standard by generating and following best practices and/or standards for analytical decisions in applied practice. We should do these things, not just because they are the right thing to do, but as a service to those upon which we base not only our work, but also our entire careers.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, N.V.P. and M.A.P.; writing—original draft preparation, N.V.P., M.A.P., D.C.; writing—review and editing, N.V.P., M.A.P., D.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Informed consent statement, data availability statement, conflicts of interest.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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We Were Seeds: The Socio-Political Economies of Forensic Anthropology After Political Violence

ROSEN, SARAH,MAYA (2020) We Were Seeds: The Socio-Political Economies of Forensic Anthropology After Political Violence. Doctoral thesis, Durham University.

This thesis seeks to navigate the intersection of forensic anthropology and social anthropology applied in contexts after political violence. The first case study is the identification efforts in Guatemala run by the Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala (FAFG) and the Ministerio Publico. The second case study is the World Trade Center identification efforts run by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York. Examinations of these examples reveal the complex nature of forensic anthropology after political violence and how similar dynamics can emerge even in fundamentally distinct scenarios. This thesis argues that forensic anthropological work occurs in a matrix of influences, which serve and empower some demographics over others, as well as producing or maintaining narratives surrounding the violence. It is also argued that these disparities and narratives can be understood in terms of their political, socioeconomic, and academic functions within the identification effort. These disparities and narratives manifest from attributions of victimhood, prioritisation of some victims over others, institutionalised remembering and forgetting through interment, and in the multilateral and national responses to these delineations of victim. This thesis concludes that the systematic nature of these influences can be understood within an intersecting model. This allows for the nuanced examination of concomitant political, social, and academic influences at each level of the forensic anthropological endeavour—as all participants of the forensic anthropological endeavour are beholden to this matrix. The disparities in access and empowerment extend beyond merely the unidentified dead and impact the living loved-ones of the unidentified and missing, the forensic anthropologists themselves, and those who enable forensic anthropological projects through funding and administration. A holistic understanding of these contexts allows forensic anthropology to function in a transformative justice model, contributing to efforts that address the underlying causes of the violence as well as the symptoms of it. In light of this, a heuristic model for practitioners and administrators for forensic anthropological efforts may be found in the intersectional, functional model to account for systematic discrepancies in access and empowerment—although this model should be applied with nuanced understandings of relativism, descriptivism, and prescriptivism.

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299+ Forensic Science Research Topics (Updated 2024)

Welcome to the world of Forensic Science Research Topics. Get ready to dive into a treasure of fascinating ideas that crack the mysteries behind crime-solving techniques. This year’s collection spans 15 stunning categories, each including 20 engaging topics.

From DNA Analysis uncovering secrets in genes to Ballistics & Firearms exploring the science behind bullets, these categories open doors to understanding how science solves puzzling cases. Cyber Forensics delves into the digital world of crime, while Forensic Anthropology examines the stories hidden within skeletal remains.

Explore Toxicology & Drug Analysis, diving into the science of poisons and medications, or journey into Wildlife Forensics, where nature meets investigation. Uncover the secrets of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis or delve into the linguistic clues in Forensic Linguistics.

Join us as we uncover the mysteries, piece by piece, and go on a thrilling journey into the captivating realm of Forensic Science Research for the year 2024.

Top 5 Applications of Forensic Science

Table of Contents

Forensic science stands as a crucial pillar in solving mysteries within the kingdoms of crime and justice. It includes various scientific disciplines applied to legal matters, providing key insights that aid investigations and legal proceedings. This multidisciplinary field plays a crucial role in solving crimes, identifying culprits, and bringing closure to victims’ families. Here are the top 5 applications of Forensic Science:

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) : Forensic science’s foundation involves detailed examination of crime scenes. It encompasses evidence collection, analysis of fingerprints, bloodstains, fibers, and other trace evidence. This critical process helps reconstruct the sequence of events leading to a crime.
DNA Analysis : The advancement in DNA technology has revolutionized forensic science. DNA analysis helps identify individuals, link suspects to crime scenes, and exonerate innocent parties. It’s a powerful tool in criminal investigations and solving cold cases.
Toxicology & Drug Analysis : Forensic toxicology focuses on detecting drugs, poisons, or toxins in the body. It’s instrumental in determining causes of death or establishing impairment due to substances.
Ballistics & Firearms Analysis : This branch involves studying firearms, bullets, and cartridge cases. It assists in linking weapons to crimes, identifying shooting distances, and determining trajectories.
Digital Evidence Examination : In the digital age, forensic science extends into cyberspace. Experts analyze digital devices and data to recover, interpret, and present evidence pertinent to cybercrimes.

These five applications showcase how forensic science’s diverse toolkit and methodologies are instrumental in solving crimes, offering justice, and ensuring a safer society.

Top 299+ Forensic Science Research Topics

Now, join us in exploring these thought-provoking themes and be part of the thrilling journey where every clue leads to a new revelation in the field of forensic research. Let us start.

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155 best forensic science research topics for your paper.

Forensic science or criminalistics applies scientific methodology and principles to solving crime and aid criminal justice procedures and laws. This area of study covers many fields ranging from computer forensics to doctoral research and forensic psychology.

For students specializing in forensic science studies, it is common to have to write an essay, research paper, or dissertation on the subject’s topics. The tricky part here is to select the perfect topic from a wide array of forensic science topics for a research paper. You could work on something that focuses on a neglected area of study in the field or go in for a controversial topic. You can also pick a common topic and throw new light on it, or simply choose a topic highlighting societal trends.

Whatever you choose to work on, it is essential to clearly state your research question/topic, offer defensible logic, have a well-elaborated body and a concise conclusion to score well.

Here is a list of some of the most interesting research topics in forensic science, which will allow you to write a good essay and score well. Take a look:

Forensic Science Research Paper Topics

These are some common but good forensic science topics that are sure to get you great reviews:

Hereditary in fingerprints and pattern similarities among family members
Is it possible to solve crimes with forensic dentistry?
Understanding the crime through the skeletal remains of the victim
Victim identification through skeletal remains
The association between legal ethics, forensic dentistry, and crime-solving
Techniques of gathering DNA sample through buccal cell collection in possibly violent subjects
Using forensic anthropology to identify relations, family, and ancestry
Using forensic anthropology to identify the age, gender, and size of the victim.
Forensic evidence – Types, chain of custody, collection, and analysis
Using forensic anthropology to identify trauma and disease history
Forensic ballistics and how the type of weapon used can be confirmed?
Are standard hair tests accurate in racial estimation and solving crimes
How to develop the best fingerprint testing powder for unmatched result clarity
The role of forensic psychology in assessing the probability and incidence rate of rape
Forensic toxicology and its role in analyzing the effects of anti-stress drugs on military members
The growing need for researching the technologies supporting forensic geomorphology
Blood spatter studies that aid forensic science in solving crimes
Forensic microscopy – an insight
Hair and fibers – What they say in forensic science crime cases
Poison chemistry – how forensic experts work
Forensic investigations of WW1 and WW-II war graves
Forensic reconstructions – importance, role, and scope in solving crimes
The laws and principles guiding forensic science
Sawn-off shotguns — evaluating pellet distribution pattern based on barrel length
Mitochondrial DNA Analysis of skeletal remains – An overview of the technique
Forensic ballistics — what a bullet may tell about the crime and the weapon used
Forensic evidence — assembling the pieces to the criminal jigsaw
Drug detection timelines — an insight
Development and validation of the method used to assess the quality of friction skin impression for evidence
Fatal intoxication through Isotonitazine – A case study

Forensic Science Research Topics For High School

These are excellent topics for high school students, which are easy to work on and create impressive essays related to forensic science:

Comparing sibling fingerprints with strangers
Finding out if fingerprints of identical twins are also similar
Differences to quickly separate human skeletal remains from those of animals
Victim identification – What you must know about facial skeleton
DNA testing – uses and limitations
Different types of stab injuries are important from a forensic science perspective
The dental pattern of wild animals and ways to recognize them.
Blood spatter patterns and what they indicate about the crime
Creating blood spatter lab for better understanding of spatter patterns
Forensic science autopsy reports and what they indicate
Careers in forensic science and upcoming specializations
Forensic science and analysis of fiber evidence from the crime scene.
Good practices in forensic science laboratories
Handwriting analysis and how it helps forensic science professionals
The role of Forensic Genealogy in solving age-old cases
Iodine fuming to reveal latent fingerprints
Immunoassay techniques for protein identification
Thin Layer & Paper Chromatography to identify materials
Forensic art as a means to identify suspects
Gas chromatography to identify liquids

Interesting topics To Research That Have to Do With Forensic Science

These research topics related to forensic science will help you create an exciting write-up that will draw attention to your knowledge in the subject:

Studying the composition of cling film used to package illegal drugs to separate drug traffickers from consumers
Dense materials and their role in Geoforensics
DNA typing – Pros and cons from a crime-solving perspective
Using gene expression to assess the age of injury
Differences in stab injuries that confirm if wounds were antemortem or postmortem
The study of glass fracture pattern to assess bullet firing direction and distances
Ground-penetrating radar systems and their role in Geoforensics
Gamma-ray radiography and its role in crime-solving geomorphology studies
What insects tell us about the murder scene
The correct way to prepare a forensic autopsy report
Forensic psychology and law – an insight
The forensic science behind fire investigations
Organic chemistry and its role in forensic science for solving crimes
Mathematics and statistics — how they aid cases of forensic science
The forensic science behind identifying forgery and counterfeiting
Use of 3D imaging for visualization of footwear and tire impressions at the crime scene
Fluid dynamics study to assess bloody fingerprints at the crime scene
Audio recordings — interpretation and processing to build a case
Recorded gunshot sounds and how they are interpreted and analyzed to solve crimes
Cartridge case comparisons to assess pressure factors in firearms

Controversial Topics In Forensic Science

This is a collection of research paper topics for forensic science that is sure to spark a debate when discussed in class:

Are changes in the composition of cling film used for drug packaging of any forensic value to arrest criminals?
DNA typing — an analysis of the efficacy of this technique in identifying victims and unsolved crimes
Isotope ratio mass spectrometry — an analysis of accuracy concerning the crime, its conditions, and people involved
Flies that come on a dead body based on its location and time of death
Forensic psychology and its impact on instances of Military rape
Is forensic toxicology research lacking in assessing drug abuse among military personnel during combat?
Is Forensic geomorphology helpful in solving crimes?
Skeletal tissues and forensic microscopy — the role they play in solving crimes
Forensic science and how it makes the dead speak
Characteristics of Zopiclone degradation and consequences from a forensic toxicology perspective
Understanding what happens to the body when someone dies naturally vs. a violent death.
Criminal minds and their forensic psychology
The role of Trace DNA in criminal investigations and its reliability
Criminal profiling and the role of Forensic psychology in arresting the killer
Forensic victimology and its role in context with investigations and legal parameters

Forensic Science Topics For Presentation

Suppose you want to make a presentation on any aspect of forensic science. In that case, you can consider the topics given below as they provide sufficient scope and information:

How to extract fingerprints from a crime scene
Equipment used in crime scene fingerprinting and the process
How to identify skeletal remains of a human subject
Building the face of a human through the remains of their skeleton
Know all about the various techniques used in forensic anthropology
Cyber forensics – How to catch a hacker
Methods of DNA testing
Methods of DNA testing of unwilling subjects
Standard forensic hair tests used in forensic examinations
Identification of cell type and body fluid through RNA based methods
Types of flies that congregate on a dead body indicating the time of death
A detailed step-by-step guide to forensic deduction
Cyber Forensics – how to detect phishing
Forensic science – the basics of crime scene analysis
Forensic frauds and laws around examiner misconduct
Methods and tools used by forensic pathologists
Forensic autopsy Vs. Regular Autopsy
The Muscid fly and its forensic importance
The role of forensic science in tracking victims of human trafficking
Evaluation of footwear impression — a step by step guide of the Footwear Impression Comparison System (FICS)

Forensic Science Thesis Topics

Use any of the topics given below to write an impressive thesis that showcases in-depth knowledge. These topics provide ample scope to delve deeper into the subject and write after thorough research.

Fingerprint science — an insight
Crime scene fingerprinting — a detailed study
Forensic anthropology — an insight
Forensic anthropological techniques for a detailed history of the victim
Isotope ratio mass spectrometry — An Insight
Computer forensics and its role in solving cybercrime
Forensic toxicology and how it may help prevent military violence
The role of forensic anthropology in postmortem findings
DNA testing methodology — an insight into means available and their efficacy
Reassessment of Asphyxia and the Pink Teeth Phenomenon
Forensic psychology – differentiating sociopaths from psychopaths
Study of blood in forensic science
DNA typing – An insight into unsolved crimes and the use of this method
Nanotechnology in Forensic studies – An insight
Consumer protection in the world of growing cyber crimes and how cyber forensics can help
Forensic toxicology – An insight
Fingerprint ridge density and its relation with sex determination
Forensic geomorphology – an extensive study of the scope and application of this field of study
The history and evolution of forensic science
Medical Image security using digital watermarking – An overview
Anatomy of bruises and what they convey about the tracker and the victim
Forensic psychology – Understanding the characteristics of psychopaths for profiling.
High-Resolution Melt (HRM) assays – An insight
Human vaginal matrix and the analysis of condom evidence from a forensic perspective
Handprint dimensions for Sex classifications – the ABC model of forensic science

Current Topics in Forensic Science

These topics stem from the latest developments in forensic sciences and highlight the current environment in this field of study. Take a look:

Latest techniques in forensic science to catch murderers
Studying injury age using gene expression to solve the crime
Latest forensic science techniques used to identify illicit drugs
Developments in technology and chemistry that aid forensic science like never before
Latest illegal drug recognition systems – an insight
The amino acid fingerprint test – an evaluation
Identifying of Felidae Animals using Elemental Analysis of Hair and its Scanning Electron Microscopic Characterization
Pediatric Poisoning — Seasonal trends, materials and distribution across the UK.
The UK forensic science environment and what has changed
The changing scene of Geomorphology with gamma-ray radiography and ground-penetrating radar
How stable is the use of Zopiclone in forensic studies related to whole blood samples
Latest enhancements in RNA based methods for identification of cell type and body fluid
The emerging role of computer forensics in cybercrime and the latest developments.
Cyberwarfare and how cyber forensics fit in?
Geoforensics – how soil mapping aids in solving crimes
mRNA profiling assays and their role in reducing time and cost of analysis
Latest technologies used in the identification of body fluids
Latest trends in forensic odontology
Heartbreak Grass deaths — A toxicological and medico-legal analysis
Water-soluble paper analysis for forensic discrimination
A worldwide survey of issues in forensic science – A contemporary perspective
DNA study to assess regular occupancy in any vehicle
Methods of assessing authentic audio recordings using different voice apps
An insight into the DNA extraction process for DNA identification in bodies
One-handed strangulation – A reconstruction study to find the criminal

If you are looking to submit an impressive dissertation or essay on a topic on forensic science and are still confused about how to proceed, get in touch with us. We can help you find impressive topics for your dissertation and help with forensic science research proposal topics. We have a strong team of expert writers and provide an array of high-quality, professional writing services for college and high school students.

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Dissertation Topics

Recent dissertation topics in forensic science.

This article serves as a compass, guiding readers through a diverse array of recent dissertation topics that encapsulate the multifaceted nature of forensic research. From digital forensics to forensic psychology, the chosen dissertation topics reflect the evolving challenges and advancements in solving complex legal puzzles. Forensic DNA Analysis: Digital Forensics: Forensic Anthropology: Forensic Toxicology: Forensic […]

How To Choose Your Forensic Science Dissertation or Thesis Topic

If one of your goals or objectives in life is to be admitted to a graduate school or a PhD program, the most important and rather inevitable element is a thesis or dissertation (usually interchangeable), without which, a master’s or a doctoral degree would simply remain a far-fetched idea. A dissertation or a thesis basically […]

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195 Top Anthropology Topics For Great Thesis

Anthropology is one of the most interesting disciplines that you can pursue at the university level. The whole idea of exploring everything known about human beings, from their origins to evolution, is pretty exciting.

However, the study requires preparing multiple assignments, which can be pretty challenging because you need a deep understanding of biology, history, and culture. The first step, which is even more stressful when preparing an anthropology paper, is selecting the right topic. So, we are here to help.

In this post, we have a list of the best anthropology topics that you can use to get good grades. To help you increase the chances of scoring the best grade in your paper, we have also included a comprehensive guide on how to write your paper like a pro.

What Is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of humanity, and it is concerned about human biology, behavior, societies, cultures and linguistics in the past and present. The discipline stretches back to the study of past human species. Because of its broad nature, it is broken down into a number of units, with each focusing on a specific area:

Social anthropology: Focuses on patterns of human behavior. Cultural anthropology: This branch mainly focuses on culture, including values and norms in the society. Linguistic anthropology: Unlike the other two, this branch of anthropology targets determining how language impacts people’s lives. Biological anthropology: This branch focuses on studying the biological development of humans. Archaeological anthropology: This branch of anthropology is concerned with investigating humans in the past. In some jurisdictions, such as Europe, it is considered a full discipline like geography or history.

How To Write Best Quality Anthropology Research Paper

When your professors issue anthropology research paper prompts, one of the questions that you might have is, “how do I write a high level paper?” Here are the main steps that you can use to write a great college paper.

Step One: Understand the Assignment The biggest mistake that you can make is starting an assignment without understanding what it entails. So, read the prompt carefully and grasp what is needed. For example, does your teacher want a qualitative or quantitative research paper? For masters and graduate students, it might be a quantitative anthropology dissertation. Step Two: Select the Preferred Research Paper Topic The topic that you select is very important, and it is advisable to go for the title that is interesting to you. Furthermore, the topic should have ample resources to help you complete the paper smoothly. If there are no books, journals, and other important resources to prepare the paper, there is a risk of getting stuck midway. Once you select the topic, carry preliminary research to gather key points that you will use to prepare the paper. However, these points are not final and will need to get updated along the way. Step Three: Develop Your Research Paper Outline An outline defines the structure of the paper. It makes further research and preparing the paper pretty straightforward. Also, it eliminates the risk of forgetting important bits of the research paper. To make the paper more informative, make sure to add supportive information progressively. Step Four: Write the Thesis Statement of Your Paper The thesis statement of a paper is your stand about the topic that you are writing about. The statement comes in the introduction but will further be restated in conclusion. The information you present on the research paper will approve or disapprove your thesis statement. Step Five: Write the Draft Paper After gathering the information about the topic, it is time to get down and prepare the first draft. So, strictly follow the prepared outline to craft a good paper, starting with the introduction to the conclusion. If you are writing a dissertation, it might be good to tell your supervisor about the progress. Remember that a dissertation is more comprehensive than a research paper. To write a dissertation, you should start with the introduction, followed by the literature review, research methods, results, discussion, and finally, conclusion. Step Six: Write the Final Paper After finishing the draft, it is time to refine it further and make the work exceptional. Therefore, you might want to go through more resources to establish if there is anything more helpful to add. Finally, edit your paper and proofread the paper. You might also want to ask a friend to help with proofreading to identify mistakes that might have skipped your eye.

Next, we will highlight the leading anthropology topics that you should consider. So, pick the preferred one or tweak it a little to suit your needs.

Interesting Anthropology Topics

Investigating how religious beliefs impact the Hispanic cultures.
A review of the evolution of sexual discrimination.
The impact of culture on same sex marriages: A case study of LGBT community in France.
A closer look at racism in modern societies.
Causes of homelessness among the Hispanic communities.
Causes and effects of homelessness among the Indian people in Asia.
Comparing the strategies adopted to deal with homelessness in the US and India.
Cultural anthropology and political science: How are they related?
Identify and review two most important organizations when it comes to advancing anthropology.
Peru’s Quechua people.
Contemporary policy and environmental anthropology.
What influences human social patterns?
A review of the impact of western culture on indigenous people in North America.
Analyzing the caste systems and ranking in societies.
A review of ancient Roman culture.
The evolution of the human ear.
Comparing the evolution of man to the evolution of birds.
What is the origin of modern humans?
A closer look at the main issues in female circumcision.

Biological Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Exploring the meaning of biological anthropology and its application in different fields.
Analyzing how primatologists use primates to understand human evolution.
How paleontologists use fossil records for anthropological comparisons.
Biological anthropology: How does it explain human behavior development?
Identify and review top geographical locations where anthropologists do their work: Why are these locations so important?
Define the connection between social sciences and biological anthropology.
The evolution of the primate diet.
Analyzing the evolution of tapetum lucidum.
A closer look at the extinction of giant lemurs in Madagascar.
Human resistance to drugs: Human pathogen coevolution.
How to determine the age of an animal using its bones.
How does syphilis impact bones?
Poaching and habitat destruction.
The application of natural selection in the animal kingdom.

Good Cultural Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Religious beliefs in the Asian cultures.
Comparing religious beliefs in African and Aboriginal cultures.
A review of the key cultural concepts in a culture of choice in Europe.
Comparing the idea of worldview from the perspectives of two societies.
Marriage in a traditional society of your choice.
A review of early development of economic organizations.
The role of women in Indian society.
A closer look at the process of language acquisition in African culture.
Missionary and anthropology: What is the relationship?
What strategies would you propose to minimize ethnocentrism?
How can society minimize the notion of cultural baggage?
Culture shock: Insights on how to address it.
Belief in magic in different societies.
A review of the impacts of globalization on nutritional anthropology.

Anthropological Research Questions

Should anthropology be merged fully with biology?
Is DNA evidence accurate in criminology applications?
How does the practice of anthropology application in China compare to that of the US?
Use of radiological tools in anthropology: What is their level of effectiveness?
What are the main hazards and risks of forensic anthropology?
What effect do mythologies have in modern society?
How does language acquisition impact the culture of a society?
Body project change projects: What are the valued attributes?
Halloween celebrations: How have they evolved over the years?
What are the impacts of adaptive mutation?
How did WWI and WWII impact human societies?
What are the impacts of climate change on animal evolution?
Location of crime: What can you learn about it?
What are the impacts of long-term alcohol addiction on the human body?
Magic and science: Are they related?

Easy Anthropological Ideas

Development of anthropology in the 21st century.
Important lessons about humans that can be drawn from anthropological studies.
Anthropological issues in pre-capitalist societies.
A closer look at folk roles and primitive society.
Urban centers and modern man.
How is automation impacting human behavior?
How does biology impact human culture?
Reviewing racial identity and stereotypes in society.
Comparing ancient Aztec to Maya civilizations.
Analyzing religious diversity in the United States.
Comparing religious diversity in the UK and Italy.
Why is studying anthropology important?
Comparing different death rituals in different cultures on the globe.
What is the relationship between literature and human development?
Analyzing the influence of anthropology on modern art.
How has social media impacted different cultures on the globe?

Linguistic Anthropology Research Topics

What led to the emergence of linguistics anthropology?
A review of the main theories in linguistic anthropology.
Linguistics used by different communities in the same nation.
Comparing sign and verbal communication.
How did Dell Hymes contribute to linguistic anthropology?
Language is the most important component among Bengal immigrants.
Language endangerment: What is it?
Comparing different categories of arts from an anthropological context for an Asian and Western country.
The impact of colonization on the language of a specific society of your choice.
Explore three different indigenous languages in America.

Controversial Anthropology Topics

Social anthropology is not worth studying because it is very general.
Human societies are cultural constructs.
The past should be considered a foreign nation.
What are your views of petro behavior in chimps?
Man is natural killer
Infant killing is an important evolutionary strategy.
The war on infanticides: Which side do you support?
Evaluating the concept of human morality.
Should all the political leaders be required to undertake training in cultural anthropology?
Human cleansing: Evaluating the driving factors in different societies.
Analyzing the concept of political correctness in the 21st century.
What are the earliest life forms to exist on the planet?

Medical Anthropology Research Topics List

Comparing and contrasting physical and medical anthropology studies.
Do we have evidence of evolution over the last 2000 years?
Exploring the importance of anthropology in modern medicine.
The health implications of adapting to ecology.
Domestic health culture practices in two societies of choice.
A review of clinical anthropology applications.
Political ecology of infectious diseases.
What is the relationship between violence, diseases and malnutrition?
The economic aspect of political health in a country of choice.
Perception of risk, vulnerability and illnesses: A case study of the United States.
What are the main factors that drive good nutrition and health transition?
The adoption of preventive health practices in society.
Important cultural conditions that help shape medical practices.
Comparing the medical practices during the colonial and post-colonial eras in a county of choice.
Use of mitochondria in forensic and anthropology.
Commercialization of health and medicine: What are the implications in society?
Analyzing health disparity in a society of your choice.

Current Topics In Anthropology

Using anthropology studies to determine the impact of political systems on different societies.
Human rights of people who are convicted of crimes.
What are the most important organizations when studying anthropology?
A closer look at the dialect of a modern feminist.
A study of current queer life in Germany.
Implications of Barack Obama as the African American President.
Reviewing the Pagan rituals and their impacts.
Comparing aging in the west and growing old in the African setting.
Cultural implications of deviant behavior in society.
The new concept of childhood in the emerging economies.

Physical Anthropology Research Topics

What does genetic hitchhiking mean?
Analyzing the cephalization process.
What is adaptive mutation?
Altruism: Is it learnt or a natural trait?
What is abiogenesis in human development?
A study of Australian marsupial’s convergent evolution.
Comparing stability of animals in stability and those in the wild.
Evolution of different animals in different parts of the globe. What drives the differences?
A review of physical anthropology trends.
The future evolution of human beings.
Physical anthropology: The human and digital culture.
What really makes people human?

Special Anthropology Topics to Write About

Enlightenment and Victorian Anthropological Theory.
Race and ethnicity: The anthropologist’s viewpoint.
A closer look at reciprocity in the native aboriginal communities in Australia.
What is the relationship between Neanderthal and modern humans?
Cultural anthropology versus sociology.
Anthropology of Mormonism.
What is the biggest change since WWI?
What is reflexive anthropology?
What is the main purpose of rituals in society?
Comparing rituals around childbirth in Asia.
Evaluating the connection between religion and myths in different societies.
Comparing the 20th and 21st century’s method of collecting anthropological data.
Why is medical anthropology so important today?
The importance of Benin artifacts in the history of the world.
The sociology theory: A review of its structure and shortcomings.
Christian believes in anthropology.
Comparing Anthropology of Europe to Anthropology of Africa.
Evaluate the effectiveness of reflexivity use in ethnographic studies.

Forensic Anthropology Paper Topics

What are the primary agents that cause biological changes in the human body?
Are the biological change agents in a human being similar to those of other animals?
Assessing the accuracy of carbon dating technology.
Analyzing the latest improvements in crime detection technology.
Analyzing evidence that supports evolution views of human beings.
How does radioactivity impact different animals?
The main signs of asphyxiation.
A review of the latest archaeological dating methods: Are they effective?
Mummification: How effective was the process as applied in Egypt?
Importance of crime scenes in forensic anthropology.
Analyzing the effectiveness of Buccal Swabs when profiling insides of cheeks.
Criminal profiling: How effective is it in deterring a criminal’s traits?
Footprint in the crime scene: What can they tell you?
Soil comparison in forensic anthropology.
Insect as important agents of body decomposition.
How do you identify blunt force trauma?
Comparing and contrasting penetrating and perforating trauma.
Analyzing the Rigor Mortis method of establishing a person’s death.

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Anthropology Research Topics And Writing Ideas For Students

Writing an anthropology research paper is in a lot of ways similar to writing an argumentative essay in other disciplines. Usually, the significant difference between these essays is how you support your idea. While you may use only literature to prove your point in an argumentative essay, you may need to employ textual proofs from artifacts, ethnographies, etc., in an anthropology essay.

Research in anthropology could be thrilling, particularly if you have many anthropology project ideas. Anthropology studies the evolution of human culture and therefore provides a wide range of anthropology essay topics that spill into history, biology, sociology, etc. Many anthropological research projects borrow from other social sciences. It is easy to feel that overwhelming grip on your chest if you’re unable to choose an anthropology research topic.

How to Write an Anthropology Research Paper

Guide how to write an anthropology research paper, the excellent list of 110 anthropology research paper topics, physical anthropology research paper topics, medical anthropology research paper topics, cultural anthropology research paper ideas, best cultural anthropology essay topics, biological anthropology research paper topics.

Forensic Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Are you worried because you don’t know how to write an anthropology paper? Writing an anthropology paper could be so much fun if you can nail the basics. It is not as bad as people paint it to be, especially if you get writing help from our professional writers . With the right anthropology paper format, anthropology research topics, and anthropology research paper examples, you’re set to go!

If you’re a big fan of doing lots of things in a short time and with fewer efforts, then you’re in the right place. This guide is full of the tips and skills you need to arrange your ideas properly. It also contains anthropology paper examples, anthropology paper topics, and other life-saving tips you may need. Ready to know how to start an anthropology research paper? Let’s delve right in!

How do you get started on an anthropology research paper? Below is the most comprehensive list on the internet to get you home and dry in record time!

Review the Assignment Guidelines
Develop a Topic
Outline your Paper
Do some Library Research
Write a Rough Draft
Write the Paper
Edit the Paper

We shall shortly expound on this list to help you better understand them.

Review the Assignment Guidelines: your professor may give you some guidelines to follow. To avoid deviating from the instructor’s expectations, spend some time reviewing your assignment guidelines so that you know the exact things you need to accomplish. For example, confirm if there are any stated anthropology research methods and the likes. It is beneficial to have a writing schedule. If you have a lot of time in your hands before the submission time, spreading out the workload will help to ease some of the stress. If you’re naturally a binge writer, sit at your computer early and bleed!
Develop a Topic: search for some anthropology research paper ideas and choose from the vast array of anthropology research topics available. Select a topic that revolves around a guiding question. This topic should connect on a deeper level to the theme of the course. The length requirement for the paper will help you know if your topic is too big, too small, or just good enough. For a short paper, you may want to focus on a particular culture or event in the context of a broader topic. Ensure that your thesis focuses on anthropology and that it draws from anthropological theories or ideas. Now, do a quick search to confirm if there are scholarly materials available for this topic. It is easier to write a paper with some available references.
Introduction/Abstract
Library Research: now, start the research on your topic, preferably from course materials. A bibliography at the end of a relevant course reading is also a great way to get other related materials. Depending on the requirement of the assignment, feel free to search for other books or articles.
Write a Rough Draft: during your research, endeavor to make proper jottings and references, which will form the rough draft of your essay. A rough draft will help you create dots that you will be able to connect later on.
Title: Usually on a separate page and contains the abstract.
Introduction/Abstract : A short paragraph showing the road map of your thesis.
Body: Leverages your thesis and presenting your research in a detailed and logical structure.
Conclusion: The conclusion is a short paragraph that summarizes your fundamental theme and substantiates your thesis.
References: A citation of the resources you used in your paper. Follow the referencing style which your instructor chooses.
Edit the Paper: you may engage any of your friends to help you go through your essay. Make some final checks such as the length requirement, the format and citation style, spelling and grammatical errors, logical flow of ideas and clarity, substantial support of the claim, etc. Once you edit your paper, turn it in and accept an A+!

Without further ado, here are 110 anthropology research paper topics for free! With 18 topics each from the six main subcategories of anthropology, you can’t get it wrong!

Eugenics — its merits and demerits in the 21st-century world.
Human Origin: Comparing the creationist versus evolutionist views on the origin of man.
Ancient Egypt: The preservation of their dead and underlying beliefs.
Homo habilis: Investigating Contemporary facts supporting their past existence.
Drowning: Clarifying the cause of drowning by examining the physical and anatomical evidence.
Smoking and its effects on the physical appearance of humans over decades of indulgence.
Physical labor: Exploring its long-term impact on the physical appearance of humans.
The relationship of Kyphosis with human senescence.
Aging in Western Culture.
Skin color: Exploring the influence of the environment on human skin color across continents.
Species and language: Focus on ways species evolve across the world and ways language acquisition affects and influences culture.
Abiogenesis: Research about abiogenesis and how it affects human development
Animal stability: How captive animals are different from those that live in the wild.
Henry Walter: The ways Henry Walter contributed to the field of physical anthropology.
Cephalization: The process of cephalization and what it entails.
Genotype: The environment correlation study.
Genetics: What does genetic hijacking mean?
Altruism: Do people learn altruism or it is an acquired state.
Applying the Concepts of Ethnozoology in medicine.
Critically Assessing the fundamental posits of critical medical anthropology (CMA).
The 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in Africa: Evaluating the success of control interventions.
Exploring the applications of Ethnobotany in medicine.
Nuclear disaster: A research into the life of survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.
HIV/AIDS: The reasons for prevalent societal infamy and the way forward.
HIV/AIDS epidemic in Europe: Exploring the roles of commercial sex workers in the spread of the disease.
Alternative medicine in China: A comparative review of its weaknesses and possible strengths in the light of Orthodox medicine.
HIV/AIDS in Africa: A critical assessment of extensively troubled nations and populations.
Depression in South-East Asia: Sheer social noise or severe threat?
Adult’s onset diabetes: Research on how diabetes is a major health issue in aboriginal populations in The U.S and Canada.
ARV rollout: The role of the ARV rollout and campaigns in Africa.
Sexual diversity in Africa: Research on whether sexual diversity in Africa is being taken into account to help fight against AIDS.
Chemicals and radiation waste: How the radiation waste and chemicals in the air are affecting people.
Mercury poisoning: The effects of Mercury poisoning in Minamata, Japan, and the measures to help put the situation under control.
Health: The health ramifications of adapting to ecology and maladaptation.
Health: Domestic healthcare and health culture practices
Clinic: Clinical interactions in social organizations.
Growth: Difference between growth and development.
Engineering: Genetic engineering and what it entails.
Marriage: Marriage rituals in different cultures.
Magic: Belief in magic and the supernatural.
Mythologies: The effects it has on modern culture.
Anthropology: How to use anthropology as forensic science.
Heroes: Studies of heroes in different societies.
Education: How education differs around the world.

Cultural anthropology discusses human societies and their cultural origin, vacation, history, and development. Here is a look at cultural Anthropology topics:

Women in Africa: The various challenging roles that women in Modern Africa play and how they handle it.
Homelessness: How homelessness affects and influences the culture and social landscapes.
India: Methods and measures that India is taking to deal with the issue of homelessness and measures they have put in place to deal with social landscapers.
Political science: Highlight and discuss the link between cultural anthropology and political science.
Superstition: Research ways that superstition affects the way of life.
Sexual discrimination: The evolution of sexual discrimination and its effects in modern times.
African cultures: Investigating how different religions and beliefs impact African culture.
Northern Nigeria: How the basic religious beliefs that influence forced nuptials among the children in North Nigeria.
Gay marriage: The background on gay marriage and how it influences the cultural and social backgrounds.
Racism: Explain racism and its existence in modern times.
Religious practices: Ways how religious practices and beliefs affect culture.
Culture shock: What it is and ways that people can work through it.
Ethnocentrism: Ways that you can use to minimize it.
Ancestors: A view of ancestors in African culture.
Religion: Religious practices in a particular society.
Culture: About the Rabari culture in India
Definition of culture
How culture anthropology links to political science
Alcoholism: Looking into the socio-economic and cultural history in Eastern Europe.
Assessing the effects of radioactivity on populations affected by the nuclear disaster of 2011 in Fukushima Daiichi.
Gay marriage: Exploring the biological aspects of same-sex weddings in North America.
Minamata disease: A critical look into the origin, populations affected, and transgenerational impact of this disease on Japan.
Asthma disease in Yokkaichi: A critical look into the cause, people affected, and transgenerational effect on Japan.
Itai-Itai disease: A critical look into the cause, populations affected, and transgenerational effect on Japan.
Nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki: An investigation of the transgenerational effects on the health of affected victims to this present time.
Cocaine use in America: A critical look into the health impact on American cocaine users.
Making Marijuana use legal in America: Possible woes and beneficial outcomes.
Cystic fibrosis: Justifications for its preponderance in white populations in America.
Biological Anthropology: Research on the meaning and definition of biological Anthropology and how it influences different fields.
Paleoanthropology: Explore ways Paleoanthropology uses fossil records to draw biological anthropology compassion and conclusions regarding human evolution.
Human social structures: Explain the development of human social structures using biological anthropology.
Biological anthropologies: Research on some primary geographical locations where biological anthropologies used to research their work.
Human language: Research how biological anthropology helped in the development of human language and communication.
Body projects: The changes and the valued attributes.
Political ecology: The Vector-borne and infectious disease.
Clinical Interactions: What are clinical interaction and social organization?

Forensic Anthropology Research Paper Ideas

Radioactive Carbon dating: A critical assessment of the accuracy of this dating technique.
Human Origin: Pieces of evidential support for Creationist and Evolutionist views on the origin of man.
Assessing the accuracy of DNA evidence testing and matching on criminology.
Neanderthals: Exploring environmental influences and migratory paths on their survival and appearance.
Dating Techniques: A critical review of current archaeological dating techniques.
Ancient Egypt Mummification: A critical look at the effectiveness of the methods used.
Nuclear disaster: A research into the impact of radioactivity on life forms due to the atomic catastrophe Chernobyl in 1986.
A critical look into recent evidence supporting the existence of Homo habilis in the past.
Crime Scene Forensics: Recent advances in the detection of crime.
Postmortem Changes: Investigating the primary agents responsible for biological changes in humans.
Criminal procedure: Research a case with a confession scenario and highlight unique features of the case.
Criminal procedure: Do your research on the criminal proceedings in a given area and what makes them effective.
Computer forensic: Ways that the computer forensic help in preserving electronic evidence.
Digital forensic: Research about the history and features of digital forensic.
History: Ways that Israel presents itself as a leader in computer forensics.
Oncology: The latest archaeological dating methods.
DNA: How accurate is DNA evidence in the matching and testing criminology?
Crime detention: The recent improvements of crime detection.

So here we are! Fifty juicy topics that are all eager to wear some flesh! Ready to have an A+? Let’s do it!

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Forensic and Investigative Science Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Strengthening the Interpretation of Glass and Paint Evidence Through the Study of Random Frequency of Occurrence and Analytical Information , Lauryn C. Alexander

Quantifying Variation in High-Quality Footwear Replicate Impressions , Samantha K. Brady

Development of a Mass Transfer Correction Factor in a Thermodynamic Model to Explain the Weathering Patterns of Ignitable Liquids on Household Substrates at Elevated Temperatures , Max T. Denn

The Influence of Instrumental Sources of Variance on Mass Spectral Comparison Algorithms , Isabel Cristina Galvez Valencia

Finite Element Modeling and Analysis of Breech Face Impressions , James A. Hamilton

An Assessment of the Forensic Aspects of Genetic Genealogy , Sarah Hester

Footwear Image Quality Classification: Using Subjective Assessments and Objective Image Metrics to Predict Impression Quality , En-Tni Lin

Interpretation of the Tandem Mass Spectrum of the Novel Psychoactive Substance 5F-APP-PINACA, PX-2 , Christopher S. Poulos

Computerized Trajectory Analysis for Firearms Examiners , Baillie E. Poulton

Enhancing the forensic comparison process of common trace materials through the development of practical and systematic methods , Meghan Nicole Prusinowski

Evaluating the Degradation Relationship Between Latent Print Impressions and Touch DNA Under Varying Environmental Conditions , Katrina M. Rupert B.S.

Estimate of the Random Match Frequency of Acquired Characteristics in a Forensic Footwear Database , Alyssa N. Smale

Analysis of ‘touch’ DNA recovered from metal substrates: an investigation into cfDNA-metal interactions and the efficacy of different collection techniques on DNA yield , Jessica E. Thornton

Analysis of the Effect of Rate of Fire on the Reproducibility of Breech Face Impressions , Kayla Ann Trimble

Assessment of Acquisition, Retention, and Evolution of Randomly Acquired Characteristics with Wear , Nathaniel Weston

Evaluation of emerging screening technologies for the on-site detection and identification of methamphetamine and its precursors in simulated clandestine lab operations , Alexis Nicole Wilcox

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Development of an Expert Algorithm for Substance Identification (EASI) to Discriminate between Spectrally Similar Fentanyl Analogs in Mass Spectrometry , Alexandra Adeoye

Evaluating the Validity and Reliability of Textile and Paper Fracture Characteristics in Forensic Comparative Analysis , Zachary Bailey Andrews

mtDNA Heteroplasmy in Hair Shafts versus Buccal Swabs for Forensic Applications , Sara R. Bodnar

Integration of Spectroscopic and Mass Spectrometric Tools for the Analysis of Novel Psychoactive Substances in Forensic and Toxicology Applications , Travon Cooman

Electrochemical and mass spectrometry methods for identification of gunshot residues (GSR) in forensic investigations , Kourtney A. Dalzell

Assessment of QuEChERS extraction protocol for the LC-MS/MS detection of emerging fentanyl analogs in biological specimens for clinical and forensic purposes , Kylea M. Morris

Analysis of Forensically Relevant Evidence Using Electrochemistry, Spectroscopy, and Mass Spectrometry Tools , Colby Edward Ott

Identifying and Minimizing Sources of Variability Within Modern Spectroscopic Techniques for the Forensic Analysis of Glass , Oriana Christy Ovide

Analyzing the viability of direct PCR for use in conjunction with cyanoacrylate enhanced fingerprints , Coral M. Smith

Expanding the Capabilities of Firearm Investigations: Novel Sampling and Analytical Methods for Gunshot Residue Evidence , Courtney Helen Vander Pyl

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Quantitation of Fentanyl and Metabolites from Blow Fly Tissue and Development Effects of Fentanyl on Lucilia sericata , Joseph Allen Cox

Characterization of Modern Ammunition and Background Profiles: A Novel Approach and Probabilistic Interpretation of Inorganic Gunshot Residue , Korina Layli Menking-Hoggatt

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Prevalence of Pores in Latent Fingerprints , Rachel E. Ball

Statistical Assessment of the Significance of Fracture Fits in Trace Evidence , Evie K. Brooks

American Population Study of Pigmentation Based Genotype Interpretation for Phenotypic Determination of Hair and Eye Color using HIrisPlex , Emma Leigh Combs

Structural Characterization of Emerging Synthetic Drugs , Jay Tyler Davidson

Validation of Fast Spectrochemical Screening Methods for the Identification of Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Packaging , Emily Ann Haase

Evaluating the Use of the M-Vac® Wet Vacuum System to Recover DNA from Cotton Fabric , Phillip Reilly Irion

Evaluating the Accuracy of Firearm Examiner Conclusions using Cartridge Case Reproductions , Eric Freeman Law

Evaluation of the Performance of Probabilistic Genotyping Software on Complex Mixture Samples , Kristen Newland

Statistical Evaluation of Randomly Acquired Characteristics on Outsoles with Implications Regarding Chance Co-Occurrence and Spatial Randomness , Nicole Richetelli

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Crime Incidents for Forensic Investigation , Jamie Spencer Spaulding

The Effects of Household Substrates on the Evaporation of Ignitable Liquids at Temperatures up to 210℃ , Caitlyn Wensel

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Immunomagnetic Beads Coupled with Anti-PH-20 Antibodies to Isolate Sperm from DNA Mixtures for Sexual Assault Kit Application , Kayla Becks

In vitro metabolism of the synthetic cannabinoids PX-1, PX-2, PX-3 and a comparison of their clearance rates in human liver microsomes , Travon Cooman

The Effects Hot Water Kill Time has on DNA Degradation and STR Profiling from Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Crop Contents , Nicholas Alexander Haas

Identification of Burnt Smokeless Gunpowders Through Physical Characteristics , Cameron Taylor Hartwig

Modeling Movement of Criminals through Burglary Scenes , Veronica L. Herrmann

The Evaluation of the RapidHITTM 200 on Degraded Biological Samples , Alice Kim

Screening Sexual Assault Evidence with Low Concentrations of Male DNA Utilizing the RapidHIT 200 and ParaDNA Intelligence Test , Taylor L. Koepfler

Electrochemical detection of fentanyl using screen-printed carbon electrodes with confirmatory analysis of fentanyl and its analogs in oral fluid using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry , Colby E. Ott

Assessing the reliability of physical end matching and chemical comparison of pressure sensitive tapes , Meghan Nicole Prusinowski

Chemical Analysis of Firearm Discharge Residues Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy , Courtney Helen Vander Pyl

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Understanding the Novice Decision-Making Process in Forensic Footwear Examinations: Accuracy and Decision Rules , Madonna A. Nobel

Inclusion of 9 mm Firearm Type Using Quantitative Class Characteristics , Young Wang

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Analysis of the Fatty Acid Content of Fingerprint Residues Using Gas ChromatographyMass Spectrometry , Ashley R. Cochran

The Analysis of 2,5-Dimethoxy-N-(N-methoxybenzyl) phenethylamine (NBOMe) Isomers Using Traditional and Fast Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , J. Tyler Davidson

Effect of Chamber Pressure on the Quality of Breech Face and Firing Pin Impressions , James A. Hamilton

AFIS Based Likelihood Ratios for Latent Fingerprint Comparisons , Shreya Sateesh Kamath

The Assessment of Fingerprint Quality for a More Effective Match Score in Minutiae-Based Matching Performers , Alyshia Meyers

Evidence Utility in Forensic Intelligence Models , Jamie S. Spaulding

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Determining the Angle of Impact from the Analysis of Bullets Following Perforation with Glass , Roger L. Jeffreys II

Determining the Number of Test Fires Needed to Represent the Variability Present Within a Firearm , Eric Law

The evaluation and interpretation of controls used in three commercially available quantification kits for forensic DNA analysis , Stephanie R. Schottke

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

How Well Are Your Police Doing?: The Relationship Between Fear of Crime and Perceptions of the Police , Erin Bixler

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Recovery Methods of Trace Evidence for Pollen Particles , Christie Cyktor

Estimation of changes in breech face and firing pin marks over consecutive discharges and its impact on 2D correlation systems , Justin Kirk

You Can't Fight City Hall: Organization and Success in West Virginia , Theodore Malone

Development and Evaluation of an Objective Method for Forensic Examination of Human Head Hairs Using Texture-Based Image Analysis , Allyce S. McWhorter

Social Structure and Clearance Rates: The Effect of Neighborhood Characteristics on Aggravated Assault Case Outcome , Brad Silberzahn

Digital Image Transformations and Image Stacking of Latent Prints Processed Using Multiple Physical and Chemical Techniques , Danielle Tague

"Man of the House": A Turning Point That Leads to Criminal Behavior? , Delia A. Trickett

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Quantifying the Limits of Fingerprint Variability , Michael Fagert

A Survey on the Microscopical and Chemical Analysis of Synthetic Wig Fibers , Theresa A. Joslin

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Reproducibility of Retention Indices Examining Column Type , Amanda M. Cadau

Swedish Legislation Targeting Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation and the Possibilities for Implementation in Estonia , Jennifer E. Lyall

Evaluating the Intra-variability and Inter-variability of Fibers in Cotton T-shirts using Microspectrophotometry , Brianne Miller

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Evaluation of the Use of Raman Spectroscopic Techniques in Ink Analyses , Patricia T. Elswick

Uncertainty Considerations with the GRIM , Eric L. Everts

Pre and Post Blast Chemical Comparison of the Intra- and Inter-Variability of Metal Pipes Commonly Used in Pipe Bombs , Mandi Hellested

Recovery of DNA Profiles from Fingerprints on Paper after the Application of Ninhydrin or DFO Given Certain Time Periods , Marco Colin Lovejoy

Evaluating the Ability of Different Weak Acids When Combined with Hydrogen Peroxide to Develop Latent Fingerprints on Post-Fired Cartridge Cases , Casey Nicholas Oleksa

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Preliminary Study on the Reliability of AFIX Tracker for Lip Print Examination , Kelli E. Edmiston

Transfer and Persistence of Gunshot Residue Particles , DeAnna M. Wallace

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Forensic Science Dissertation Topics

Forensic science is an especially intriguing area of study with many subtopics, including general issues, ethical issues, current and emerging issues, and Brexit. As a result, both undergraduates and postgraduates find forensic science to be a particularly favourable area of study to complete their dissertation in to obtain the highest possible grade and thus further both their academic and career aspirations.

In the event that you would like to write a dissertation in the area of forensic science, then it is clearly absolutely vital to select a title that allows for a depth of analysis of the literature that is already available and is befitting of undergraduate or postgraduate study. Therefore, the sections that are set out below will also highlight many of the most significant issues and debates that can currently be found in the area of forensic science.

General Issues

Ethical issues, current and emerging issues.

Forensic science is the application of the scientific techniques of information collection, experimentation, and observation to determine how historical events occurred, with the aim of providing impartial evidence that can be used in a court of law. The term forensic is derived from the Latin word forensic which referred to public meeting places termed a forum, where citizens would meet and debate criminal issues. Defendants would use these forums to present testimony of their innocence before a judge. It is this process whereby the term forensics has come to mean the acquisition of legal evidence that can be presented in a court. It is also for this reason that forensic evidence is expected to follow rigorous scientific and empirical methods of verification and falsification and to be consequently trustworthy. Below is a selection of general forensic science dissertation topics:

An assessment of the reliability of evidence relating to superficial heat damage on arsonists’ clothing.
Assess the capacity for forensic dentistry together with legal ethics to solve crimes.
Examine the efficacy of studying aging injuries and injury age estimation using gene expression methods.
Consideration of the amalgamation of England’s police forces: Is there consistency in forensic services across the country?
A comparison of the two illicit tablet recognition systems being used in the UK of Pill-ID which focuses on colour, and the other which focuses on shape and pattern recognition. Also assess the utility in combining the two approaches.
Assess the consistency of different police forces in the United Kingdom in the forensic techniques being applied, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of amalgamation of force forensic departments.
Assessment of using environmental pollen analysis to identify counterfeit cigarettes.
Assess the effectiveness of recovering DNA from handwritten documents through the use of the dry vacuuming technique.
Investigate the potential of keystroke biometrics as a forensic tool of user profiling.
The effects of microwave radiation on the digestion of proteins in body fluid identification.

Professions such as forensic science differ from trade-based forms of work in that they are generally governed by a self-imposed ethical code of conduct, which all practitioners must adhere to. Below are some examples of ethics related dissertation topics:

Dry-labbing or the claim that laboratory analysis has been conducted when it has not, has become an issue in a number of high-profile cases in recent years. How should the problem of dry-labbing be addressed by forensic scientists?
What impact is the increasing use of private forensic consultants, who may not be subject to the usual disciplinary codes, having on forensic science?
Investigate the claim that outsourcing of forensic science work to private contractors in the UK has led to declining standards.
To what extent is the use of results from genetic research to put ethnic and racial labels on the samples encountered at a crime scene an ethical problem for forensic science?
What ethical problems currently exist with the collection, storage, access to, retention and sharing of DNA samples?

Advances in technology and society’s growing dependence on technology is changing the ways in which crimes are committed as well as investigated. The world currently stands on the threshold of a range of emerging technologies that will provide new opportunities for criminality and simultaneous challenges for law enforcement. The most notable example at present is the threat posed by cybercrime. However other technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain are some examples of radically new areas that will bring radical change. Some dissertation topics in this area are presented below:

How prepared is the field of forensic science for developments in technology and by extension technology enabled crime?
How advanced is forensic science in dealing with crime committed on the dark web?
What are the advantages of blockchain technology in assisting digital forensics?
Analyse the commonly used methods in forensic cryptocurrency investigations in light of internationally accepted legal standards.
Assess the effectiveness of forensic science in analysing the way cryptocurrency payment flows are used in a wide spectrum of criminal activity.
Contamination: evaluate the efficacy of USB devices and remote monitoring software in the management of sex offenders’ computer use.
What are the potential forensic challenges to the Internet of Things (IoT) and its enhanced potential for cybercrime?
Examine the emerging field of IoT forensics.
What specific uses does Deep Learning, which is a sub-set of Artificial Intelligence, have for cyber-forensics?

Brexit has and is having a decisive impact on many areas of the British economy and society. Britain has benefited from the evolutionary changes to police and judicial cooperation in the EU. These have included being part of Europol, Eurojust, the EU’s arrest warrant and forensic data sharing. These benefits have also applied to the area of forensic science particularly in terms of participation in scientific funding and collaboration of the EU’s research programs. However, Brexit is arguably occurring at the worst of all possible moments as the coronavirus global pandemic has placed significant burdens on the resources of the criminal justice system at a time when it is already suffering from government underfunding. A key question therefore is how the UK’s criminal justice system generally and forensic science in particular manage now that the UK is no longer a member of the EU. Here are a few dissertation topics that arise from the current Brexit situation.

To what extent is Brexit likely to damage the future sustainability of UK forensic science?
Investigate the impact of Brexit on forensic data sharing with the European Union.
How will Brexit impact other developments that are already re-shaping UK forensic science capabilities and capacities such as digital and cyber forensic technologies and the use of Artificial Intelligence in forensic settings?
Assess the impact of the UK’s exclusion from European research programs on the global influence of UK forensic science and technology institutions.
Does Brexit pose any strategic opportunities to strengthen UK forensic science by broadening its professional, institutional, and economic base in areas such as public health and regulatory science?
Evaluate the viability of a shared European ballistics database in consideration of UK policing and criminal justice opt-outs.

Forensic Science Research Topics

Here is a list of forensic topics for research that you will enjoy working on!

Culprit identification through skeletal remains
Using forensic dentistry to solve crimes: the good, the bad, and the ugly
The correlation between legal ethics, forensic dentistry, and crime-solving
Forensic attestations – Types, a chain of custody, collection, and analysis
Identifying relations, ancestry, and family using forensic anthropology
The use of forensic psychology in evaluating the probability and the incidence of the rate of rape
Forensic science – what hair and fibers can tell us about crime cases
Poison chemistry – reliability and accuracy of results
Forensic ballistics – what bullets can tell about crimes
Forensic evidence: How to assemble the criminal jigsaw pieces.

Forensic Psychology Research Topics

Forensic psychology is psychology related to the law. The field includes the implementation of sciences to its system. Also, it deals with the conjoining of human habits/characteristics and criminal law. Psychologist in the field of forensic helps to unriddle specific data in a case, data such as who must have committed the crime, what must have propelled the criminal to make such kind of act, and how the felon must have strategized the situation.

Therefore, forensic psychology topics provide a range of profundity regarding the level of academic studies being initiated. Below is a list of topics in forensic psychology that can be of help:

Tracking the behaviors of lawbreakers
Should the death penalty be encouraged?
Victim reaction to crime
Can we rely on the memory of testifiers?
Sentencing and imprisonment practices
Do the FBI play important roles in forensic science?
How to approach settled differences in a DNA in forensics
Using animals for forensic science research: possible pros and cons
Incorporating arguments into forensic trials: better/more effective methods
Ethics and morals and how they affect forensic crime results

Hot Topics in Digital Forensics

Here is a list of digital forensics topics from the latest developments of digital forensics!

The effects of technology on building digital shreds of evidence
The function of biological pieces of evidence and DNA in the science of forensic
How evidence of fingerprint and pattern contribute to forensics
Explain the impact of Opioids and other illegal drugs on the study of forensic
How to trace evidence with the use of forensic
Conduct an analysis of evidence from patterns and impressions
The effect of virtual reality and simulations on forensic study
How to determine the criminals behind fire and arson through the study of forensic
The effect of automation and miniaturization in forensic anthropology
Forensic science and the importance of nanoparticles in the field.

Forensic science is a compilation of applied disciplines that draws from the branch of science. The forensic science discipline is complex and involves methods that range from DNA analysis to pattern recognition. Below are some forensic topics for research

Chemical Sciences: Why is forensic chemistry unique?
The paradigms of forensic science: A critical diagnosis
Forensic science and the accuracy of age estimation
Possible research challenges faced in the forensic medicine field
Forensic science and survey courses rendered
The genetic approach to forensic science and prevalent problems
Contribution of forensic science to efforts of wildlife conservation.
How can racial estimation be determined more accurately?
The effect of natural changes on the scene of a crime and accuracy of forensics
How grand innovations affect and challenge the forensic community

Forensic Science Topics Research Paper

Do you have a research paper to write on forensic science? You will surely need some reliable topics for that research paper to make it excellent. Here is a list of forensic science research paper topics!

Family members and fingerprints pattern similarities: a reliable source of tracing?
Forensic anthropology and the identification of trauma and disease history
Forensic anthropology: The identification of size, age, and gender of victims
Fingerprint testing powders: Better formulation for clearer results
How to gather forensic pieces of evidence: A closer look
The pivotal roles played by DNA methylation in forensic science research
Historical Setbacks in forensic study development: Analysis and a closer look at the causes
The interconnectivity between chemistry and traced evidence
Forensic document examination: A better approach
Redefining forensic research: A newer outlook

Forensic Research Topics

Do you need some excellent forensic research topics? Well, look no further! Here are some excellent forensic topics for research for you!

A closer look at the laws and principles guiding forensic science
What roles does forensic Genealogy play in solving age-old cases?
Postmortem findings and forensic anthropology: A review
What does the future hold for the field of forensics: Job opportunities and upcoming specialization?
Identifying blunt force trauma in victims
Independent forensic consultants: how reliable are their qualifications in forensic science?
How forensic science has developed since its inception: A look at challenges and advantages.
Geographic forensic medicine and its important roles
The function of DNA methylation in forensic science
The interconnectivity between forensic medicine and clinical research

Forensic Anthropology Research Topics

Below are some forensic topics for research under anthropology

Area of the crime: what information they can pass across to us?
How do professionals get traced evidence?
Professional blood pattern analysis: Who an individual is and how they can be of help?
The juxtaposing of soil in forensic anthropology
Rigor Mortis as the cognitive factor of the individual death
Information Footprints from a crime site can pass across
The significance of the scene of the crime
The construction of an individual outlines characteristics
The aggravation of Intentional death as a result of coerced drowning
Hair samples that is not the property of the victim as a possible lead to the attacker

Forensic Science Topics for Presentation

Do you want to make a presentation on an aspect of forensic science? Below are some detailed forensic science presentation topics you could pick from

The reconstruction of the human face makes use of the residues of their skeleton
Having a detailed knowledge of various methods used in forensic anthropology
Techniques to acquire the DNA test of an unwilling subject
Recognizing cell types and body fluids through RNA based techniques
The category of flies that assembles on an inanimate body signifying the time of death
Techniques to recognize the skeletal remains of human subject
Techniques used in educing fingerprints from a crime setting
The function of forensic science in tracing recipients of human trafficking
Strategies and apparatus used by forensic pathologists
The significance of the Muscid fly to forensic science

Computer Forensics Research Topic

Computer forensic is a developing field in criminology to which is an impact on other disciplines most notable in the legal system. Students who are interested in the study of computer forensic can construct a thesis that probes through the subject and its relationship to evolving aspects of criminology and the legal system.

Some digital forensics research topics will also help to give a better understanding. Below are some digital forensic topics for you!

Digital forensic and occurrence response
The employment of digital forensic to internet crime analysis and inquiry
The satisfactory and spiteful sides of digital forensic
A survey evaluation of digital forensics as equipment assisting a criminal investigation
The necessity for standardization and accreditation in digital forensic
Enriching the quality of digital forensic examination reports
The analysis of networks in digital forensics
Equipment used in digital forensics
Examining and validating the digital forensic report
The analysis of network in digital forensic

Forensics Debate Topics

Debate forensics speech topics are.

The innovative nature of cybercrime
The credibility of geomorphological forensic in solving crimes
Soil mapping great assistance in providing solutions to crimes
The credibility of audio recording in forensic science
The essence of an eyewitness statement
The dilemma that accompanied juvenile judgment
Nanotechnology has an insight in the field of forensic
Digital forensic has been of great use in solving cyber crimes

National Forensics League Topics

Some national forensic speech topics may include.

The effect of age evaluation in forensic science
A thorough recognition of the paradigms of forensic science
Discuss the procedures of sanctioning forensic science laboratories
The effect of visual color comparison in forensic science
Parasites being one of the fastest Agent of Decomposition

Forensic Chemistry Research Topics

Chemistry forensic research paper topics may include:

Assessment of the amino acid fingerprint test
An intuition of Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry
An evaluation of water-soluble paper for forensic segregation
Are techniques of detection super-sensitive that they could lead to an error in conviction
An evaluation of authenticity regarding the crime, it’s situation, and the people involved
Discuss the process involved in the analysis of Y-chromosome
Analyze a usual day in the office of a forensic chemist
Expatiate on the limitation of using an environmental microscope
The use of atomic force microscope in the science of forensic
The function of paper spray mass Spectrometry in the recognition of perilous Chemicals

Forensic Medicine Thesis Topics

Forensic medicine deals mostly with examining and assessing individuals who have been wounded or may have passed away as a result of external or unnatural causes, such as suicide, poisoning, motor accidents, and other various forms of violence.

Examples of topics under forensic medicine thesis are:

Analysis of spinal sustaining damages in fatal road accident
Examination of sexual violence unnatural deaths
Analysis of suicidal death among adolescents
An analysis of snakebite occurrence admitted in the hospital
A study of eventual suicidal death among females
Study of lethal poisoning cases leading to gross stomach mucosal appearances
Study of homicidal deaths
Analysis of death due to thermal burns
Examination of patient’s with CRANIO -CEREBRAL injuries
An examination of dental eruption in children within the age group of 14 -16

Easy Forensic Science Research Topics

Are you in search of easy ways to find Forensic science topics for a research paper? Bother no more! Here are some topics just for you!

Discuss the importance of a forensic scientist giving a Precise testimony
An assessment of microscopic vetting techniques
The influence of private companies organizing forensic science
Validation to work as an independent specialist in the field of forensic science
The usefulness of digital Forensic in Solving homicide cases
Acquiring a proper Knowledge of the scientific and social surroundings of the criminal justice system
Disciplines of criminal justice and the law that guides forensic
Reasons why a vast number of forensic scientists work in forensic laboratories or morgues
The methods in which forensic craft out objective facts with the use of scientific knowledge
Ways forensic science assist in the analysis of physical evidence

So here we are! 120+ forensic science research topics just for you! Choose the topic that resonates with you the most and put in your best in the research or outsource it to an expert writing company! Don’t hesitate to reach a professional dissertation consultant and increase your chances of success!

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Forensic Science Dissertation Topics

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2022 Forensic Science Dissertation Topics

Topic 2: Investigating the impact of medical imaging technologies for determining the cause of and manner of sudden death to potentially interpret evidence of foul play

Topic 3: An evaluation of the impact of forensic odontology on solving crimes and legal ethics.

Topic 4: Evaluation of the impact of forensic anthropology on the identification of age, gender and size of crime victims.

Topic 5: Determining the effectiveness of blood spatter studies in identifying the nature and timing of crime at crime scenes

Topic. 1: Forensic science in the 20th century and today

Topic. 2: Case Study of the criminal cases and convictions resolved through forensic science

Topic. 3: Role of botany and entomology in the forensic science

Topic. 4: The impact of swift changes and innovation in technology on the forensic science

Topic. 5: Future of forensic science

Topic. 6: Forensic science and ethical dilemmas

Topic 7: Process of victim identification through skeletal remains

Topic 8: The future of forensic anthropology

Topic 9: Value of crime scene photography in forensics

Topic. 10: Drugs and Forensics

Topic. 11: Reliability of fingerprint and pattern impression evidence

Topic 12: The downsides of forensic science

Topic. 13: Geographic forensic science

Topic. 14: Nuclear forensic science

Topic. 15: Role of RNA in forensic science

Topic. 16: Role of Blood spatters in solving crimes

Topic. 17: Forensic frauds and their penalties

Topic. 18: History of Forensic science

Topic. 19: Understanding Antemortem, Perimortem, and Postmortem

Topic. 20: Forensic science and facial recognition

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Origin of Forensic Science

Forensic Anthropology

Development of Forensic Anthropology

Methods in Forensic Anthropology

Data Gathering

Data Analysis

Facial Reconstruction

Human Skeleton

Identification Process

How Bones Change

Race/Ancestry

Basis of Examination and Evaluation to Identify the Dead

The Human Genome (DNA)

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Collecting Evidence

Interpreting and Applying Evidence

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Ongoing Advances in Modern Forensic Anthropology

Future Use of Forensic Anthropology

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Forensic Anthropology as a Discipline

Marin A. Pilloud

Derek Congram

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Simple Summary

1. Introduction

The Divergence of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology

2. Disciplinary Expertise

3. Ethics, Expertise, and the Role of Professional Organizations

4. Why Do We Need Professional Ethical Guidelines?

5. The Need for Disciplinary Qualifications

6. Conclusions: A Way Forward

Author Contributions

Institutional Review Board Statement

We Were Seeds: The Socio-Political Economies of Forensic Anthropology After Political Violence

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