Education Required for Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropologists are human skeleton experts.

Forensic anthropology is a sub-field of physical anthropology. Forensic anthropologists work in a legal and criminal setting when human remains are involved. At a minimum, a graduate education is required to become a forensic anthropologist.

Physical Anthropology

Physical anthropology is the study of human evolution and biology. Using human remains, physical anthropologists can learn age, sex, ethnicity, health and how an individual died.

Undergraduate Studies

An anthropology degree with a minor in biology is recommended to begin study in forensic anthropology. Coursework in chemistry, physics and statistics are also recommended.

Graduate Studies

The University of Tennessee's Forensic Anthropology Center states it is necessary to earn a Master of Arts and preferably a doctoral degree in physical anthropology to become a forensic anthropologist.

Post-Graduate Training

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences notes that physical anthropologists need practical experience and certification from the American Board of Forensic Anthropology before courts will allow them to be expert witnesses. Experience is gained through apprenticing with a certified forensic anthropologist.

Employment in the University

Most forensic anthropologists work for a university. Law enforcement and other agencies will request their assistance as needed.

Employment Outside the University

Forensic anthropologists also work for law enforcement and other government agencies, or as consultants. However, many agencies do not have resources to hire forensic anthropologists and depend on academic anthropologists.

References

• University of North Carolina at Wilmington: Forensic Anthropology
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences: Physical Anthropology
• The University of Tennessee: Forensic Anthropology Center

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences