As an accounting major, I was looking through the subfields of biological anthropology and saw forensic anthropology. This seemed the most relatable as accounting also has a subfield called forensic accounting which also works specifically within legal statures. This seemed similar in the sense that both are assisting in solving crimes. While looking through the websites for sources and societies of forensic anthropology, I found The Society of Forensic Anthropologists (SOFA) and the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA) were the two sources and websites that I chose to explore. SOFA is a U.S. based professional organization that is composed of over 40 practicing forensic anthropologists and originated in 2003. The ABFA was incorporated in 1977 as a non-profit organization which provided a program of certification in forensic anthropology. Both of these organizations allow for anthropologists to communicate and contribute their work to the community to strengthen their studies.
Forensic anthropology is the study of physical anthropology in a subcategory in which they focus on the biology, science and culture to the legal process. Additionally, they are considered physical or biological anthropologists who specialize in topics such as the human skeleton or human traits. I found this extremely interesting in that this subcategory was created in the 1930’s-1940’s by law enforcement requesting the help of anthropologists to examine bones and body fragments of murders, making it one of the more relatively new categories to physical anthropology. The subfield of anthropology allows for the assistance of the study of humans to help particularly in criminal or civil matters in which a person who was not familiar how the biology of human’s skeletal structure or traits would not be able to solve the legal issue. This study of this specific subfield allows for the everyday person to see the practicality of anthropology by helping law enforcement solve murders and identify bodies by bone structure.
Going through the ABFA website, they specifically work on giving forensic anthropologist certifications in order to ensure the quality and understanding of one’s work. With this certification it would allow one to identify as a certified forensic anthropologist to be contacted by law enforcement, medical examiners, and attorneys to consult over crimes, cause of deaths, and skeletal recovery. I found this unique to other subfields of anthropology as it uses methods to evaluate bones of the past in determining the age, height, and other traits of a human.
While the ABFA focuses on giving certification and diplomates SOFA focuses on the encouragement and communication between forensic anthropologists. This could range from medical examiners, coroner’s office, university or relevant government agency currently working individuals. The Society of Forensic Anthropologists provides forum peer review, resources, databases, and documents within their society membership. This network of forensic anthropologists sponsors the Forensic Anthropology Journal and primarily focuses on supporting research technical advancements population data, and case studies related to the recovery and analysis of human remains in a forensic context.
Sources:
http://theabfa.org/ – American Board of Forensic Anthropology
http://www.sofainc.org/ – Society of Forensic Anthropologists
https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/technique/forensic-anthropology/ – PBS Forensic Anthropology
James,
I really liked how you gave a small background leading into the information you found regarding the two organizations you researched; it helped me as a reader understand the roles these societies play in the forensic anthropology profession. As this profession is generally newer, I am surprised you found two different prominent societies to write about. I agree with your statements in the fact that forensic anthropology opens up a bigger window for correctly identifying the dead bodies of victims of crimes. Without the help of forensic anthropologists, individuals without the knowledge of specific bone structures and other anatomical components may be at a higher risk to misidentify a corpse or perform other mistakes.
Also, like in any profession, having a commonplace to share results of research is always beneficial so the information is spread to more individuals who can use them to make more discoveries.
(Also, I would recommend categorizing this blog post, Edit Post > Categories > Blog One, so you get credit for your work.)
I think forensic anthropology captures a lot of people’s attention because as you said it allows the everyday person to witness the practicality of anthropology. I really like how you compared the two professional organizations and how they impact the forensic anthropology community. Where one seems to be used for certification purposes and the other for communication within the field, they both seem to cover the important needs that all areas of studies require. I’m curious if the ABFA websites gives information on what someone’s qualifications are that provides them with the certification and opportunity to work with law enforcement. It important that a standard is held in the forensic community. I am also curious if SOFA’s communication between people in the forensic community has allowed any new technologies or findings to be discovered.
Hey James!
I like how you included the background of forensic anthropology. It’s so cool how something so recently developed already has a huge impact. It’s also interesting how there are places that allow and promote interaction between forensic anthropologists at different levels. I can’t imagine how hard working on a case would be if it was only myself there to figure it out. Thinking beyond forensic anthropology, this could definitely help anthro. as a whole by encouraging different parties to share ideas and offer solutions to each other. Along with this it’s also nice that SOFA also allows members to access different types of aid and resources. Perhaps this could also be of service to all fields of anthro. (not just biological) in terms of spreading information.
My first introduction of forensic anthropology was actually on a TV show I used to watch years ago, but it had always interested me! I like how, after reading your post, I got some insight on the background of the field as well actual organizations and their different goals. Additionally, I also really like the fact that, as a science-based major, there’s so much biological technology needed for daily occupations such as crime investigation-there’s so much the body can tell you before and after life. It must be a very rewarding job to identify bodies and help in the process of investigations, as they can give so much information a trained cop or detective may not ale to. I hope others who read this post, or learn more about other subfields of anthropology, gain a greater appreciation for scientific knowledge used in other fields!
The topic about Forensic anthropology was topic i was unaware about. Its many different sub-fields in anthropology, which this the study of humans past and present. but this one is really unique. Forensic anthropology is the study of physical anthropology in a subcategory in which they focus on the biology, science and culture to the legal process. Its cool reading bout how there were investigations on examining human skeletons, dead bodies and crime scenes. I didn’t know with certification it would allow one to identify as a certified forensic anthropologist. They would be contacted by law enforcement, medical examiners, and attorneys to consult over crimes, cause of deaths, and skeletal recovery. Very cool and unique sub-field of anthropology that use methods to evaluate human bones, age, height, and other traits of a human.
This subfield is very interesting for me to learn about as I find forensics very cool! I was not aware that this was a subfield of anthropology specifically and it really shows how many things anthropology is used for. All of the information about the history of forensic anthropology that you found is interesting and I think it’s really cool that these professionals study skeletons and human traits in order to assist in solving crimes. I find it really cool that you found a way to connect your background of accounting with the sub field in anthropology! Forensic anthropology seems to be a newer subfield so it will be exciting to see the subfield grow and evolve and the new ways that it can help society.
Hello!
I think that forensic anthropology is super interesting! I had heard a bit about it from my roommate (an anthropology major) and your post inspires me to read more on this. I really like how anthropology and criminal justice come together through this one subfield. I think it is important for anthropologists to collaborate with other researchers to help gain more knowledge and share their knowledge. This blog honestly made me want to shadow a forensic anthropologist. I would love to see the kinds of reports they put together for law enforcement and how they come to conclusions about the human remains. I wonder if these anthropologists have made breaks in big criminal cases, and did not get a lot of recognition. I definitely will be looking more into forensic anthropology on my own time. I think it is really important and can be helpful for many anthropologists in the future.
I loved how you choose to do Forensic Anthropology. I also find that to be interesting. I felt as if you gave us a lot of great facts relating to this subject. I didn’t realize how many different things you can do in the field of medical anthropology! I think it’s so amazing how they study human bones and traits of humans to solve crimes.