Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (275-0-1)
Instructors
Erin Beth Waxenbaum Dennison
847/491-4818
1810 Hinman Ave., Room #A54A, EV Campus
Waxenbaum is a physical anthropologist and skeletal biologist specializing in human evolutionary biology, variation as well as human growth and development. She is also trained as a forensic anthropologist and currently serves as the Forensic Anthropologist for Cook, DuPage, McHenry and Champaign Counties.
Meeting Info
ANTHRO Sem Rm 104 - 1810 Hinmn: Mon, Wed 9:30AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
This course provides an introductory overview of forensic anthropology. This subfield of biological anthropology focuses an understanding skeletal biology on questions of medicolegal significance. In this course we will review the full range of issues associated with human skeletal identification and associated forensic investigation including recovery techniques, estimation of time since death, biological profile development (include sex, age, ancestry, and stature estimation), trauma analysis, mass disasters investigation, and ethical consideration in forensic anthropology today. These will serve as a model for understanding the broader aspects of the interaction between anthropology and the medicolegal system.
Learning Objectives
• Demonstrate knowledge related to methods and development of the field of forensic anthropology, including the history, legal relevance, and appropriate methodological approaches for the development of a skeletal, biological profile and trauma analysis.
• Formulate hypotheses and utilize skills to acquire, analyze, and interpret skeletal data to test and revise these hypotheses concerning the development of a biological profile and forensic data collection.
• Appreciate the implications, utility, and limitations of inquiries within forensic anthropological methodology, both within the context of the field and the implications for the medicolegal community.
• Articulate and demonstrate a knowledge of the scientific process of forensic anthropological methods and the significance of methodological advances, in written form.
• Critique the media representations of forensic anthropology as it relates to the reality of the theories, methods, and practices of the field.
Class Materials (Required)
Christensen AM, Passalacqua NV, Bartelink EJ. 2019. Forensic anthropology: current methods and practice. Second edition. Academic Press. 978-0128157343
Class Attributes
Natural Sciences Foundational Discipline
Natural Sciences Distro Area