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Forensic Anthropology as a Discipline
- Source :
- Biology, Volume 10, Issue 8, Biology, Vol 10, Iss 691, p 691 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Simple Summary Forensic anthropology in the United States is a specialization within the overall field of anthropology. Forensic anthropologists are specially educated and trained to search, recover, and examine human remains within a medicolegal context. Over time, forensic anthropology has become increasingly specialized and distinct from other specializations within anthropology. As such, we argue that forensic anthropology should be considered its own discipline, with a unique knowledge base, separate from other similar forms of anthropology, such a bioarchaeology. We argue that forensic anthropologists have unique expertise, making them the only type of anthropologist qualified to perform medicolegal examinations of human remains. Finally, we contend that to perform or represent yourself as a forensic anthropologist without the appropriate expertise is ethical misconduct. The value of this paper is that it explains the importance of expertise and knowledge, and how forensic anthropology has diverged from other specializations of anthropology enough to be considered its own discipline. Abstract This paper explores the current state of forensic anthropology in the United States as a distinct discipline. Forensic anthropology has become increasingly specialized and the need for strengthened professionalization is becoming paramount. This includes a need for clearly defined qualifications, training, standards of practice, certification processes, and ethical guidelines. Within this discussion, the concept of expertise is explored in relation to professionalization and practice, as both bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology have different areas of specialist knowledge, and therefore unique expertise. As working outside one’s area of expertise is an ethical violation, it is important for professional organizations to outline requisite qualifications, develop standards and best practice guidelines, and enforce robust preventive ethical codes in order to serve both their professional members and relevant stakeholders.
- Subjects :
- knowledge
QH301-705.5
forensic anthropology
bioarchaeology
media_common.quotation_subject
Best practice
Certification
Biology
050905 science studies
Professionalization
Article
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
03 medical and health sciences
InformationSystems_MODELSANDPRINCIPLES
0302 clinical medicine
State (polity)
professionalization
030216 legal & forensic medicine
Biology (General)
media_common
Ethical code
education
ComputingMilieux_THECOMPUTINGPROFESSION
General Immunology and Microbiology
05 social sciences
Forensic anthropology
qualifications
ethics
standards
expertise
Professional association
Engineering ethics
0509 other social sciences
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 20797737
- Volume :
- 10
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Biology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....7296ba84ac601f0e4d9314ea65448b47