1. The Law Enforcement Agency Forensic Anthropologist.
- Author
-
Friedlander, Hanna and Kim, Jaymelee J.
- Subjects
FORENSIC anthropology ,ANTHROPOLOGISTS ,AGENCY (Law) ,MEDICAL examiners (Law) ,LAW enforcement agencies ,MEDICAL offices - Abstract
Recent scholarship has emphasized professionalization within anthropology specific to forensic anthropology. In these debates, issues of certification, expertise, training, compensation, and job placement have been underscored. As research expands in biological, archaeological, and cultural issues pertinent to forensic anthropological work, the abilities and potential areas of specialization continue to rapidly expand. Yet, in the United States, many medical examiner's offices contract forensic anthropologists or individuals trained in a related field on a part-time basis. Here, this paper draws on existing literature and professional experience to put forth an alternative area of employment specifically for anthropologists - the law enforcement anthropologist. This paper argues for the use of full-time, civilian forensic anthropologists in law enforcement agencies that can collaborate with anthropologists associated with the medical examiner's office. It can be seen that law enforcement agency anthropologist can use anthropological training to increase success in search and recovery operations, securing fragile crime scenes (e.g., fatal fires), processing remains, consider biocultural issues, and assist in the identification process. Having an anthropologist situated within law enforcement not only provides another avenue of professional employment, but streamlines communication between law enforcement and the medical examiner's office, sensitizes law enforcement to the vital contributions of forensic anthropologists, and enhances the identification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024