Forensic anthropology became established in the 1940s, when law enforcement agencies began to call upon physical anthropologists to assist with their cases that required identification of skeletal remains.

Early 1800’s to 1938; the Formative Period. Thomas Dwight (1843-1911) is credited with being the Father of Forensic Anthropology in the United States. He was the first to write articles and essays and give lectures on human skeletal identification, the original designation of forensic anthropology.

Historically, scientific testimony related to a particular technique or body of knowledge occurs more recently than the research that it is based upon. In this regard, Stewart (1979a, 1979b) considered Dwight (1843– 1911) to be the father of American forensic anthropology.

What a forensic anthropologist DOES do to aid in a case: Assist law enforcement with the location and recovery of human remains at crime scenes. Cleans the bones so that they may be examined. Analyze skeletal remains to establish the biological profile of the individual.

Forensic anthropologists work closely with individuals in law enforcement and medical science—and especially with specialists in ballistics, explosives, pathology, serology (the study of blood and bodily fluids), and toxicology—and are often expert witnesses in murder trials.

Generally speaking forensic anthropology is the examination of human skeletal remains for law enforcement agencies to help with the recovery of human remains, determine the identity of unidentified human remains, interpret trauma, and estimate time since death.

Forensic anthropologists are also trained as forensic archaeologists, which means they are adept at the recovery and excavation of human remains. They are regularly called in by law enforcement to assist in these efforts.