Forensic Anthropology is a branch of anthropology that focuses on the application of anthropological knowledge and skills to criminal and legal investigations. Forensic anthropologists analyze human remains to determine identity, causes of death, and circumstances, and provide evidence in criminal and civil cases.

Fields of study in forensic anthropology:
Analysis of human remains:

• Identification: Using the skeleton to determine the sex, age, height, and ethnicity of a deceased person.
• Dental analysis: Study of teeth to determine identity, age, and medical history.

Estimating time since death:

• Structural changes: Study of changes that occur in bones after death to estimate the time of death.
• Decomposition: Understanding the decomposition process and using it to estimate time since death.

Determine the causes of death:

• Bone injuries: Analysis of injuries found in bones to determine causes of death, such as injuries resulting from violence or accidents.
• Diseases and Disorders: Study of bone markers of disease to determine prior health conditions of the deceased.

Excavation and recovery of human remains:

• Archaeological excavation: The use of archaeological excavation techniques to extract human remains from burial sites.
• Documentation: Documenting the condition of the site and remains using photographic and mapping techniques.

Forensic research:

• Evidence Analysis: Work with investigative teams to analyze biological and forensic evidence.
• Research and Development: Conduct research to develop new techniques and methods in the field of forensic anthropology.

Required skills:

• Extensive scientific knowledge: in the fields of anthropology, osteology, and forensics.
• Analytical skills: The ability to analyze human remains and extract information from them.
• Evaluative abilities: To use appropriate tools and techniques to establish identification and estimate time since death.
• Communication skills: to transfer knowledge and interact with investigation teams and legal authorities.
• Attention to detail: Ability to work accurately with remains and forensic evidence.

Work fields:

• Forensic Offices: Work with forensic pathologists to identify and analyze human remains.
• Law enforcement agencies: providing support to police and criminal investigators.
• Universities and research centers: teaching forensic anthropology and conducting research.
• Humanitarian organizations: Work with organizations that deal with human rights issues and humanitarian disasters.
• Special Consultations: Providing consulting services in criminal and legal investigations.

The importance of forensic anthropology:

• Identification: Contributes to the identification of unidentified human remains, helping to provide closure to families and justice.
• Achieving justice: providing scientific evidence in criminal cases to help achieve justice.
• Injury analysis: Helps understand how injuries occurred and provides evidence about the causes of death.
• Research and development: Contributes to the development of new technologies and methods for analyzing human remains.

Applications of forensic anthropology:

• Criminal Investigations: Providing scientific evidence to help solve criminal cases.
• Natural and human disasters: Working to identify victims in cases of natural disasters and wars.
• Human Rights Issues: Assistance in investigating human rights cases and uncovering mass graves.
• Education and Training: Teaching forensic anthropology and training investigators and forensic doctors.

Forensic Anthropology combines scientific knowledge with practical application to achieve justice and help solve criminal cases, making it a field of great influence in the legal system and society in general.