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Forensic anthropology is a sub discipline of Biological Anthropology and an active part of Forensic Science dealing with identification of unrecognizable human remains in legal context. Forensic anthropologist deeply studies the remains usually in skeletal form and focuses on the determination of age, sex, race and stature- the BIG FOUR of forensic anthropology. In certain cases, he also formulates opinions regarding the cause of death and circumstances surrounding death. Whenever, highly decomposed dead bodies are received in the postmortem examination laboratory or to visit the sites of homicides, suicides and mass disasters - both man made i.e. bomb blasts, air plane crashes, train and road accidents etc. and natural i.e flood, earthquake, tsunami, eruption of volcanoes etc., the services of a forensic anthropologist are indispensable. Apart from this, the forensic anthropologist also plays an important role in the personal identification of living and the location of missing persons the factors which assist in the identification process include race, sex age, complexion and features, hair, anthropometry, dactylography, foot marks, scars and birth marks, tattoo marks, body deformities, occupational marks, handwriting, speech and voice, gait, clothes and other personal articles, mental power and education, tricks of manner and habit etc.
Being a part of biological anthropology, forensic anthropologists are already trained in the archaeological field methods and techniques which serve well in crime scene investigations involving buried and surface remains. They also do have knowledge of biological variation in the human populations and its probable causes. Besides this, they also have training in osteology and skeletal function and cultural diversity present in human populations. The knowledge gathered from these areas is directly applied to the identification of unknown human remains in forensic examinations which make this forensic sub discipline a unique specialty. Forensic anthropologists generally work with forensic pathologists, forensic odontologists, entomologists and some times with general medical practitioners to determine the cause of death, race, age, sex, evidences regarding foul play, time since death etc. The services of forensic anthropologist are required in both civil as well as criminal cases to establish the personal identity and manner of death.
The emerging areas of forensic anthropology include DNA fingerprinting, facial reconstruction, new methods of determination of body size (like height, weight and sex etc.) from skeletal remains.
Forensic anthropology has now become an integral part of all the forensic science laboratories of the world and other law enforcement agencies.
About the author:
Dr Kewal Krishan, PhD, is presently serving as a lecturer in Biological Anthropology at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. He is specialized in Forensic Anthropology and his areas of interest include forensic anthropology, forensic osteology, anthropometry, stature estimation, growth and nutritional status.
E-mail: gargkk@yahoo.com |
