A Laboratory Manual for Forensic Anthropology
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A Laboratory Manual for Forensic Anthropology

1st Edition - January 9, 2018

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  • Authors: Angi Christensen, Nicholas Passalacqua
  • Paperback ISBN: 9780128122013
  • eBook ISBN: 9780128123300

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Description

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.

Key Features

  • 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

Readership

Introductory and/or upper-division courses in forensic anthropology, also well-suited for forensic anthropology courses taught in forensic science programs. Supplemental reference for other courses involving human identification, skeletal biology, or human osteology, and as a general reference for professionals with limited training in forensic anthropology, including physical anthropologists trained in other areas of the field (such as paleoanthropology or primatology), archaeologists, forensic scientists, dentists, pathologists, crime and death scene investigators, law enforcement, and legal professionals

Table of Contents

  • 1. Introduction
    2. Human Osteology and Odontology
    3. Examination Methods
    4. Medicolegal Significance
    5. Forensic Taphonomy
    6. Forensic Archaeology and Scene Processing
    7. Processing and Preparing Remains
    8. Sex Estimation
    9. Ancestry Estimation
    10. Age Estimation
    11. Stature Estimation
    12. Individual Skeletal Variation
    13. Analysis of Skeletal Trauma
    14. Personal Identification
    15. Miscellaneous Topics and Final Case Exercise

Product details

  • No. of pages: 338
  • Language: English
  • Copyright: © Academic Press 2018
  • Published: January 9, 2018
  • Imprint: Academic Press
  • Paperback ISBN: 9780128122013
  • eBook ISBN: 9780128123300

About the Authors

Angi Christensen

Dr. Christensen is Forensic Anthropologist with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. She is also an adjunct professor in the Forensic Science Program at George Mason University. Angi received her PhD in Anthropology from The University of Tennessee in 2003, and was certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology in 2012. Dr. Christensen is a co-author of the award-winning textbook Forensic Anthropology: Current Methods and Practice, as well as a co-founder and Editor of the journal Forensic Anthropology. Her research interests include methods of personal identification, skeletal trauma analysis, and skeletal imaging. She has published numerous research papers in journals including the Journal of Forensic Sciences, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, Journal of Forensic Identification, Forensic Science International, Forensic Science Medicine & Pathology, and the Journal of Anatomy.

Affiliations and Expertise

Forensic Anthropologist, Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory, Quantico, VA, USA

Nicholas Passalacqua

Nicholas Passalacqua
Dr. Passalacqua received his Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State University in 2012 and was certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology in 2016. Dr. Passalacqua is an Assistant Professor and the Forensic Anthropology Program Coordinator at Western Carolina University. Prior to arriving at WCU, he worked as a deploying forensic anthropologist with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency – Laboratory in Oahu, Hawaii. Dr. Passalacqua is a co-founder and a current co-editor of the journal Forensic Anthropology. He is also currently a board member of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, the chair of the Anthropology Consensus Body of the Academy Standards Board, and a member of the Anthropology sub-committee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees. Dr. Passalacqua co-authored the award-winning textbook: Forensic anthropology: Current methods and practice, as well as the books: Ethics and professionalism in forensic anthropology, and A laboratory manual for forensic anthropology. Dr. Passalacqua also has numerous publications in such journals as: Forensic Anthropology, The American Journal of Physical Anthropology, The International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, and The Journal of Forensic Sciences, as well as chapters in such books as: Skeletal trauma analysis: Case studies in context, The analysis of burned human remains, Age estimation of the human skeleton, and A companion to forensic anthropology.

Affiliations and Expertise

Assistant Professor and the Forensic Anthropology Program Coordinator at Western Carolina University, NC, USA

Ratings and Reviews

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  • DavidPimentel Fri May 17 2019

    Valuable information

    Valuable information to be considered and applied to the actual procedures and protocols

  • KathrynBaustian Mon Sep 17 2018

    Detailed, student-friendly resource

    This lab manual offers detailed information in each chapter that can be used to complete lab activities as provided or as elaborated by the instructor. Lab activities are comprehensive and appropriate for medium to high levels of students. For courses targeting an introductory level of the material, some activities may be a little more advanced but these can easily be simplified for lower levels of expectation. Overall a great resource that is fantastic if used in conjunction with the Forensic Anthropology textbook by the same authors but also great just on its own.