ABSTRACT
Forensic scientists provide a number of lines of information during the investigation through their role as expert witnesses in the identification of human skeletal, botanical, and entomological material. Anthropologists can play a critical role in the recovery of evidence. It is important to understand that Anthropology is a broad field and those who are able to assist fall into archaeologists who understand excavation techniques and biological anthropologists who work with human skeletal material. Forensic archaeologists bring knowledge of excavation techniques and proper equipment use to the scene. Forensic botanists and entomologists, likewise, contribute to the collection of evidence when they are part of the scene recovery team. Soil samples from the body, particularly the abdominal and chest areas, may be helpful. The macrobotanical evidence should be documented and collected before the scene is processed for anthropological and entomological evidence. The collection of entomological evidence should occur after the botanical evidence has been collected.
