FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY

Sarah DubeNovember 16th, 2015

Job Description

Forensic anthropologists work with law enforcement agencies and assist in processing skeletal evidence. They study bones, a field known as osteology, and profile research subjects by gathering information used to determine the individual's age at death, sex and physical condition. Forensic anthropologists may also assist in excavating and relocating human remains, performing dental analysis, determining time of death, assessing trauma to bones and presenting expert testimony in court.

Employment Opportunities

Forensic anthropologists may face stiff competition despite moderate growth in their career field due to the small number of positions. A master's degree is typically needed to work as a forensic anthropologist.

Education and Training

According to the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA), individuals need a bachelor's degree in anthropology or a related field and a master's degree in anthropology to meet the minimum requirements to work as a forensic anthropologist. The ABFA suggests these individuals possess a doctorate degree in biological or physical anthropology, meaning that a forensic anthropologists could spend up to ten years in school for this career. Formal degree programs often include internships, field work and clinical experience.

Working Conditions

Practitioners do not typically work in forensics full time. Instead, they are usually university researchers or professors who provide consultation to law enforcement agencies. Generally, forensic anthropologists are experts in applied and physical anthropology and assist detectives and investigators when called upon. They primarily work in laboratories

Wages

The average annual salary for anthropologists and archeologists was $61,420 in May 2013, according to the BLS. The bottom ten percent earned $34,320 a year or less, while the top ten percent made $92,730 or more per year.

Bibliography

http://study.com/articles/Forensic_Anthropologist_Job_Description_Outlook_and_Salary.html

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/anthropologists-and-archeologists.htm