What Is Forensic Anthropology?
There are a variety of careers in forensics, including forensic scientist, forensic autopsy assistant, forensic computer analyst, and forensic anthropologist. While some people may think that forensic anthropologists investigate crime scenes, that is not typically the case. Forensic anthropology strictly looks at human remains, and does not involve the collection of any kind of weaponry or other kinds of evidence found at a crime scene. The primary goal of forensic anthropologists is to understand how people died, under what circumstances, and what other elements of their death may have been relevant to a given criminal investigation. The job may involve examining human remains from history in addition to more recent remains, depending on the needs of a given criminal investigation. Learn more about a career as a forensic anthropologist here.
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What Does a Forensic Anthropologist Do?
You may be wondering, what do forensic anthropologists do? Forensic anthropology falls under biological and physical anthropology, as opposed to cultural, social, or linguistic anthropology. Forensic anthropologists primarily help recover and analyze human remains from crime scenes, historical sites, and other scenarios. The specifics of a forensic anthropologist job description will be highly variable based on the position, level of expertise, and more that the individual in question is working with. Forensic anthropologist duties may include:
- Identifying the age and sex of remains
- Cleaning bones for examination
- Figuring out the identity of remains through dental records
- Determining a time of death
- Examining bones to determine the kind and extent of injuries/cause of death
- Participating in fieldwork and lab analysis
- Testifying in court concerning cases
Most work done by forensic anthropologists takes place in a laboratory setting or in an office setting when it comes to writing up reports.
FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions that people have about becoming a forensic anthropologist:
What is the Outlook for Forensic Anthropology Jobs?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated that the job outlook for anthropologists and archaeologists from 2019 to 2029 is expected to grow 5%. Although this job outlook is slightly faster than the national average, the BLS still predicts competition in the field due to the limited number of positions in the field and budgetary constraints. The states employing the highest numbers of anthropologists, according to the BLS, were California, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas as of May, 2019.
What Is the Average Forensic Anthropologist Salary?
In May 2019, the BLS reported that anthropologists and archaeologists made a median annual salary of $63,670. The BLS also noted that the highest concentration of employment for the field was in scientific research and development services.
PayScale.com reported a median forensic anthropology salary of $57,250 as of January 2021 specifically for forensic anthropologists. This salary increased slightly with experience, as forensic anthropologists with 5 to 9 years of experience reported a median salary of $57,500. Salaries may also vary by location and any additional bonuses. The BLS reported that in May of 2019, the five highest paying states for anthropologists (based on mean salary) were Alaska ($92,740), Massachusetts ($91,270), Washington ($78,620), Hawaii ($78,440), and Nebraska ($76,850).
What Skills Do Forensic Anthropologists Need?
Forensic anthropologists benefit from the following skills, which they might cultivate over the course of their careers:
- Attention to detail
- Understanding of how to work with human remains in a respectful manner
- Extensive knowledge of forensic techniques
- Excellent communication skills
- Understanding of the criminal justice system
What Are the Benefits and Challenges of this Career?
The benefits of being a forensic anthropologist include:
- The ability to help in a direct way in solving serious crimes
- Work that is challenging and interesting
- Employment in the field of criminal justice that requires less direct risk than many other jobs
However, as with all jobs, there are challenges:
- Working with human remains may increase the risk of psychological damage to forensic anthropologists
- Not all cases can be solved, which can be frustrating and demoralizing
- The career is highly competitive, with few employment opportunities in many places
Be sure to weigh these pros and cons carefully when considering whether this career is right for you.
How Can I Meet the Forensic Anthropologist Education Requirements?
Forensic anthropology education begins with an undergraduate degree in forensics, biomedical anthropology, or other related fields. Aspiring anthropologists with a bachelor's degree must typically work first as fieldworkers or assistants, while it requires at least a master's degree to be a fully fledged anthropologist. Doctoral degrees are also common in the field and allow anthropologists to move into independent research and/or teaching positions.
Forensic anthropologists will usually pursue a master's degree after earning a bachelor's and before obtaining a PhD. Master's degree programs are usually available as a Master of Science (MS) in Forensic Anthropology or a Master of Arts (MA) in Anthropology with a track in forensic anthropology. These programs may range from about 30 to 42 credits and commonly require a thesis, although some programs may also offer a professional paper and/or portfolio option in its place. Students in these degree programs may take courses in topics like:
- Forensic anthropology
- Forensic science
- Statistics
- Osteology
- Witness testimony
- Taphonomy
- Mortuary archaeology
While a master's degree is sufficient for most anthropology jobs, a doctoral degree is typically required for forensic anthropologists. A PhD program is more likely to be offered in a field like biological anthropology, but research and/or fellowship opportunities may be available specifically in forensic anthropology. Doctoral programs require a dissertation but generally offer more flexibility in coursework.
Other Forensic Anthropology Requirements
It is important for any anthropologist to gain hands-on experience in the field. This is likely to occur during their formal education through labs, field experiences, and opportunities at research facilities. Anthropologists also need the physical stamina to work long hours in the field, as well as valuable critical-thinking and analytical skills to perform their job duties.
