Specialty Labs in Forensic Anthropology

DEFINE: Chain of Evidence

process and record that documents the handling of evidence from the time of collection to its presentation in court, ensuring its integrity. It is also known as the chain of custody, and it tracks who obtained the evidence, where and when it was collected, and who has had possession or control of it throughout its lifecycle. A complete chain of custody is crucial for evidence to be admissible in a legal proceeding.  

For a specialty lab, what is important?

• Number of rooms

• space

• tables (number/style/material)

• chairs (number/style/material)

• cabinetry (storage/chain of evidence)

• lighting

Forensic Anthropology: Tools of the Trade

• computers

• reference materials (books/comparative skeletons)

• lighted magnifiers

• osteometric tools (bone measuring tools)

• photographic/scanning equipment

Specialty Lab: DNA

• analyze Mitochondrial or Nuclear DNA

Specialty Lab: Isotopic/Chemical Analysis

ex: Chelsey Juarez’s Strontium Isotope identification method for identifying migrants who die crossing the border.

New Methods: Peptide Analysis w/ Acid Wash

• 100% accuracy in determining sex of a skeleton with minimal damage

• the amino acids in these peptides vary by sex

The Body Farm

• data collection & research labs specifically for human remains

• started by William Bass @ University of Tenessee

• sometimes research is conducted outside!