Forensic Anthropology Laboratory Manual

A Laboratory Manual for Forensic Anthropology approaches forensic anthropology as a modern and well-developed science, and includes consideration of forensic anthropology within the broader forensic science community, with extensive use of case studies and recent research, technology and challenges that are applied in field and lab contexts. This book covers all practical aspects of forensic anthropology, from field recoveries, to lab analyses, emphasizing hands-on activities. Topics include human osteology and odontology, examination methods, medicolegal significance, scene processing methods, forensic taphonomy, skeletal processing and sampling, sex estimation, ancestry estimation, age estimation, stature estimation, skeletal variation, trauma analysis, and personal identification. Although some aspects are specific to the United States, the vast majority of the material is internationally-relevant and therefore suitable for forensic anthropology courses in other countries. Provides a comprehensive lab manual that is applicable to coursework in forensic anthropology and archaeology Covers all practical aspects of forensic anthropology, from field recoveries, to lab analyses Includes discussions of human osteology and odontology, examination methods, medicolegal significance, scene processing methods, forensic taphonomy, skeletal processing and sampling, sex estimation, and more Emphasizes best practices in the field, providing an approach that is in line with today's professional forensic anthropology

Key topics and basic laboratory training for beginning students This versatile laboratory manual is designed to support introductory undergraduate courses in forensic anthropology. Usable for both in-person and online classes and suitable to accompany any textbook or for use on its own as a text–lab manual hybrid, it provides basic training for beginner students in relevant methods of biological profile estimation and trauma assessment for use in medico-legal death investigations. Structured in a standard format for classes and existing texts, this manual offers a unique emphasis on lab exercises that align with general studies requirements and basic science competency. Each chapter begins with learning goals and an introductory section that outlines the topics to be covered. The discussion then leads students through the material, including periodic learning checks built into the structure of the chapter, followed by end-of-chapter exercises. Through clear explanations of fundamental principles, the complete medico-legal context is covered with respect to forensic anthropology. Basic information on bone biology, human osteology, and rules of evidence are also presented. Alongside its substantive text discussion of key topics, this manual’s exercises can be used in in-person laboratory classes while its learning checks can be completed by online students without access to skeletal material or casts. This book offers the necessary content to teach forensic anthropology regardless of the experience or location of students or the resources of specific colleges and universities.

This manual provides students in academic laboratory courses with hands-on experience of the major processes of forensic anthropology. Designed to accompany the textbook Introduction to Forensic Anthropology 6th edition, the manual introduces core procedures and protocol, with exercise worksheets to reinforce the methodologies of forensic anthropology and enhance student comprehension. For the fifth edition, the manual has been updated in line with the textbook, incorporating new methods, figures, and worksheets. Each chapter contains explanations of the terminology, osteological features, and measurements needed to understand each of the topics. New for this edition, in many chapters students will find the incorporation of QR codes to give them immediate access to relevant video or website content to assist with the task at hand. In addition, in an attempt to create an inclusive learning environment, the authors have included online resources for most chapters that can be used in place of plastic skeletons or other classroom resources so that all students can utilize the lab manual regardless of their classroom setup. Chapters may be covered in one session or multiple sessions and include lists of both basic and optional lab materials, enabling instructors to tailor each lab to the resources they have available.

By emphasizing human osteology, forensic anthropology, anthropometry, primates, human evolution, and genetics, this lab manual, written by Diane France, provides students with hands-on lab assignments to help make the concepts of physical and anthropology more clear. It contains short-answer questions, identification problems, and observation exercises. The Lab Manual provides a wealth of solid information that is invaluable in supporting the labs that accompany physical anthropology courses.