Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Anthropology is the application of methods and techniques in biological anthropology (osteology, paleopathology, demography) and archaeology to medicolegal cases. On an individual level, osteological analysis provides information as to how a person lived, specifically by reconstructing their estimated age-at-death, estimated phenotypic sex, “health”, and lifetime trauma. On a population level, forensic anthropologists contribute to better understanding the biological variation in modern humans, by challenging erroneous concepts like biological race and teasing apart the biocultural and contextual factors impacting health and violence disparities. Forensic anthropologists are also trained to identify deceased individuals in contexts of war, genocide, environmental disasters, homicide, suicide, and accidental death. A minor in Forensic Anthropology will prepare students for graduate work in this specialization or entry positions in bioarchaeology. Furthermore, a minor in Forensic Anthropology complements pre-professional tracks (pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-veterinary) and majors in Biology, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, and History.
For advising, please contact: Dr. Kathryn Marklein, Lutz Hall, Room 243, (502)852-2429
Visit the UofL Academic Catalog website for a complete overview of the Forensic Anthropology minor requirements.