SO YOU WANT TO BE A FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGIST?

by Randy Skelton, Professor
Department of Anthropology, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812

Forensic anthropology is a branch of the forensic sciences concerned with the application of anthropological knowledge and methods to the process of law. In the most typical scenario a law enforcement agency finds skeletal remains and asks a forensic anthropologist for help in identifying who the deceased individual is. There are many other applications of forensic anthropology as well, including identifying war dead and victims of human rights abuses, and recovery of buried evidence in general.

Although it's clear that the field is not unlimited, there are jobs for forensic anthropologists. Here are some of the careers someone with the appropriate education in forensic anthropology might pursue:

Working for the U.S. government or military, especially in the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC). These positions usually require a graduate degree in anthropology. See http://www.cilhi.army.mil for more information.
Teaching anthropology: Here in Montana, I get to work on cases for free. College faculty positions require a graduate degree in anthropology, with a Ph.D. preferred.
Working for a law enforcement agency in a big city as a forensic anthropologist. Some of the large jurisdictions, such as King County, WA, and Los Angeles, CA, are hiring a staff forensic anthropologist. In smaller cities there usually aren't enough cases to keep a forensic anthropologist busy.
Working as a curator for a museum.
Working at a local, state, federal or private crime lab as a regular staff member who just happens to have expertise in forensic anthropology. Anthropologists have obtained positions as crime scene technicians and case coordinators, among others. A strong background in chemistry or biology is required.
Working for a law enforcement agency as an officer who just happens to have expertise in forensic anthropology. Some agencies are beginning to realize that the skills reflected in an anthropology degree are useful in law enforcement, especially for detectives.

Most people pursue a forensic career as a general forensic scientist at a crime lab or similar organization. Although a few forensic anthropologists find employment as evidence technicians, administrative support staff, or other job that doesn't require training in the sciences, most people find that if they are serious about wanting to work at a crime lab they need a BS degree in chemistry or biology.

FORENSIC SCIENCE CAREERS AND EDUCATION

JOB	WHERE THEY WORK	QUALIFICATIONS
Police Officer,Deputy,Highway Patrol Officer	Police or Sheriff's Department or Highway Patrol	H.S. Grad, 20/20 with glasses, 11- 14 weeks police academy, background check, psych check, drug screening
Police Detective,State CIB, NIB, etc.	Police or Sheriff's Department	Police Officer plus experience & training
FBI Agent	FBI Office	BA/BS in some discipline, FBI Academy
Coroner	Sheriff's Office	None - Elected Office
Accountant, Artist, Photographer	Police Dept., Private, Crime Lab	BA/BS in appropriate discipline plus special training. Sometimes Police Academy required.
Criminalist	Crime Lab	BA/BS in Chem, biochem, biology, physics, geology, chemical engineering, forensic science, pharmacology, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, entomology or criminalistics; general chem; quantitative analysis
Fingerprint Examiner, Firearms Examiner, Toolmark Examiner, Questioned Document Examiner	Crime Lab	Criminalist plus training & experience
Serologist	Crime Lab, Private Lab	BA/BS as for criminalist, coursework in biochem, stats, genetics, & molec biol.
Toxicologist, Chemist	Crime Lab, Private Lab	BA/BS or higher degree in Chem, Biochem, Toxicology, or Pharmacology
Pathologist/ M.E.	Crime Lab, Hospital, Private	MD, Residency in Pathology, & special training in Forensic Pathology
Audiologist, Digital Image Analyst, Engineer	Private, Private Lab, Crime Lab	BA/BS in appropriate field, special training, experience
Knot Examiner	Private or Crime Lab	Training & Experience
Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Botanist, Computer Scientist, Entomologist, Geologist, Linguist, Mathematician, Phylogeneticist	College or University	PhD in appropriate subject, experience
Odontologist	Clinic, Private	DDS or DMD plus special training & experience
Psychologist	Psychiatric Hospital, Police Agency,College, Clinic, Private	PhD in Psychology or MD with residency & internship in Psychiatry.
Nurse	Hospital, Doctor's Office, Private	RN or BA/BS in Nursing, special training or experience
Pharmacist	Private, Hospital	PharmD or other Doctorate in Pharmacy
Attorney	Private, Government	JD or Other Degree in Law, Member of the Bar
Judge	Government	Elected or Appointed Office. Most are required to be an Attorney

FORENSIC SCIENCE EDUCATION

Lists of colleges/universities with Undergraduate and Graduate programs in Forensic Science can be found on the WWW at http://www.forensicpage.com/new05.htm.
Colleges/Universities with graduate (and undergraduate) programs in forensic anthropology can be found on the WWW at http://www.anthro.umt.edu/schools/forenprg.htm

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION FOR CRIME LAB JOBS

Anyone who wants to have a good chance of finding employment at a crime lab should seek a BS degree in chemistry or biology. Sometimes, a person with a degree in another field can argue that they have the equivalent of a BS in chemistry or biology, but this is difficult, and only possible if they can show that they have at least had the relevant laboratory analysis classes, such as quantitative analysis in chemistry or DNA analysis in biology. These laboratory classes have a considerable number of prerequisite classes leading up to them. Additional classes in criminology (sociology department) are also usually relevant, as are laboratory classes in any field of science.

JOBS ON THE INTERNET

Law Enforcement jobs: http://www.911hotjobs.com/, http://www.lawenforcementjobs.com/, and http://www.policeemployment.com/.
Forensic Science Jobs (AAFS): http://www.aafs.org/employ/list1.htm.
Faculty and museum jobs (Chronicle of Higher Education): http://jobs.chronicle.com/free/jobs/
US Government Jobs: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/
Montana Job Source: http://jsd.dli.state.mt.us/
University of Montana Student Jobs and Internships: http://www.umt.edu/studentjobs.

HINTS & TIP

People interested in a career in the forensic sciences should regularly check the employment notices in Academy News, which is a companion publication to the Journal of Forensic Sciences and available at most libraries.
Aspiring forensic anthropologists should join their local forensic anthropology group. For the western U.S. the relevant group is the Mountain, Desert, and Coastal Society. Dues are $5/year and include a subscription to the society newsletter, The Connective Tissue. Join by sending $5 to Dr. Michael Finnegan, Osteology Lab, 204 Walters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.

Click here for links to some forensic web sites.

For a differing opinion, check out Dr. Midori Albert's FAQ on planning a career in forensic anthropology

Click here for information on the BA degree in anthropology with option in forensic anthropology at The University of Montana -- Missoula.

Go to the Student Guide Table of Contents

Go to the Anthropology Home Page

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This document has been accessed times since March 10, 1997.