ABSTRACT
Forensic anthropology is defined as the application of physical anthropology knowledge and techniques to matters of medicolegal significance, particularly those relating to the recovery, documentation, and analysis of human remains. The forensic anthropologist may be employed by a government or non-government organization and apply their skills to routine jurisdictional casework, disaster victim identification, recovery and identification of servicemen and women missing in action, or individuals missing (presumed deceased) as a result of political, ethnic and/or religious violence. Depending on the context and the nature of the investigation, the forensic anthropologist may provide information to assist in determining if the remains are of medicolegal significance, developing a biological profile to aid the identification process, and/or documenting and analyzing skeletal trauma to contribute information about what happened to the individual around the time of death.
