Forensic Anthropology: Identifying Human Remains

Forensic anthropologists sometimes call themselves "speakers for the dead." They study human remains to help solve crimes, identify missing persons, and discover the identity of unidentified remains. Forensic anthropologists can work with law enforcement and other government agencies. They can also travel around the world to recover and analyze remains. They can work as part of archaeological teams to discover what happened at the site of an ancient battle, help to confirm the identity of a famous person from historical times, or help to identify people who have lost their lives in a plane crash or other disaster. Forensic anthropology began in the early 20th century and continues to evolve today, using DNA analysis and data to reveal the appearance, the identity, and potentially the cause of death of human remains.