The Future of Forensic Science

Daniel A. Martell, Douglas H. Ubelaker, Daniel A. Martell

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781119226697
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicina
• Subtopic: Medicina forense

Offers a diverse, interdisciplinary, and eye-opening view of the future direction of forensic science

This one-of-a-kind book is a collection of content from the Past and Current Presidents of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences—providing readers with all of their forensic science experience, knowledge, insight, and wisdom. It envisions where forensic science will be a decade from now and the impact of these emerging advances on the law (along with our place in it), emphasizing theoretical advances, innovative leads from the laboratory, and emerging technologies.

Filled with information from some of the greatest forensic minds of their generation, The Future of Forensic Science covers all of the eleven sections that comprise the AAFS. It discusses new directions in forensic anthropology, and looks at the future of such disciplines as criminalistics, forensic engineering science, forensic psychiatry and behavioral science, forensic toxicology, and forensic document examination. It also touches on the current and future state of digital and multimedia sciences.

• Contains contributions from an eminent group of forensic science experts
• Presents a valuable repository of forensic science experience, knowledge, insight, and wisdom
• Offers an insightful interdisciplinary look at the future of forensic science and how it is changing forensic science for the better
• Timed to coincide with the NIST forensic science initiative and the OSAC process

The Future of Forensic Science is a must-have book for practicing forensic science professionals, academics, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in forensic science.

This book is published as part of the AAFS series 'Forensic Science in Focus'.

CHAPTER 1
New directions in forensic anthropology

Douglas H. Ubelaker

Smithsonian Institution, Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA

1.1 Introduction

Forensic anthropology represents the application of knowledge and methodology within anthropology to medicolegal issues. This process usually involves the detection, recovery, and analysis of materials that were thought to represent human skeletal remains. Analysis focuses on determining if the materials are in fact human remains, and if so, gleaning information about the individual they represent. Central goals in this effort are aimed at personal positive identification and detection of foul play.

Academic roots of the field extend back into nineteenth century European centers of anatomy and medicine. Advances in comparative anatomy, anthropometry, and growth and development by such pioneers as Paul Broca (1824–1880), Alphonse Bertillon (1853–1914), and Johann Friedrich Blumenbach (1752–1840) laid the European foundation for later advances. In the United States, two high‐profile trials, the Parkman murder trial relating to a death at Harvard University in Massachusetts and the Chicago‐based Adolph Luetgert trial brought widespread attention to the nascent field of forensic anthropology. These legal events involved testimony by Harvard professors Oliver Wendell Homes (1809–1894) and Jefferies Wyman (1814–1874) and the Chicago‐based anthropologist George A. Dorsey (1868–1931). Research specifically targeting problems in forensic anthropology was initiated by the pioneers Thomas Dwight (1843–1911), H.H. Wilder (1864–1928), Paul Stevenson (1890–1971), Earnest A. Hooton (1887–1954), T. Wingate Todd (1885–1938), and Smithsonian anthropologist Aleš Hrdlička (1869–1943) among others. The modern era with a specific focus on forensic anthropology as an academic area of anthropology and forensic science was ushered in by Wilton M. Krogman (1903–1987) and T. D. Stewart (1901–1997) with key contributions also by Mildred Trotter (1899–1991). Organizational advances included the 1972 effort to form a new section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the 1977/1978 establishment of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, largely through the leadership of past AAFS President Ellis R. Kerley (1924–1998). Clyde C. Snow (1928–2014) became involved in identification efforts in Latin America in 1984 and advanced global anthropological involvement in humanitarian and human rights investigations relating to anthropology. These pioneers and early initiatives coupled with abundant published research and casework established the foundation of the current field of forensic anthropology.

Although contemporary forensic anthropology is generally regarded as a subdiscipline within the more general areas of forensic science and anthropology, it really involves a conglomerate of applications and methodologies that are problem‐specific. These areas of application include detection, recovery, determination of human status, estimation of age at death, time since death, sex, ancestry and living stature, assessment of postmortem history, positive identification, and evaluation of evidence for foul play. Each of the major areas of application within forensic anthropology presents its own methodology, individual historical development, and research issues (Steadman 2013). Collectively, they also require broad training and experience that is usually captured in various ways in the skills of individual practitioners.

This chapter examines methodological issues within each of the areas of application. Current techniques and developments are noted. However, since the nature of forensic anthropology and its applications are rapidly evolving, emerging issues and likely future solutions are emphasized (Lesciotto 2015).

1.2 Detection and recovery

Many cases within the field of forensic anthropology begin with efforts to detect the presence of human remains. Roots of these efforts usually stem from investigative information regarding past events suggesting the possible or likely presence of human remains. Although the nature of such cases is highly variable, a classic scenario would involve an informant indicating he witnessed a past homicide and providing general details regarding the location of burial of the decedent. The anthropologist might serve as a team consultant/participant to assist in organizing the search and advising on what methodological approaches might be utilized. If a specific location is found or targeted, the anthropologist should organize or conduct the excavation or particular detection effort. In such scenarios, it is important that the anthropologist participate in the detection effort to immediately recognize the presence of human remains if encountered.

As with most areas of application in forensic anthropology, the selection of search and detection methods depends on the issues presented by the particular case (Cheetham and Hanson 2009). The size of the search area, quality of the investigative information, topography and nature of the terrain, and availability of supportive equipment and personnel represent key variables. Possible approaches include pedestrian survey, aerial survey, and the use of cadaver dogs (Holland and Connell 2009). Land surface searches usually seek physical evidence (human remains, clothing, other artifacts, etc.) or evidence of past soil disturbance that might indicate human burial. Past soil disturbance may present detectable variation in the normal topography. Significant variants may include depressions, mounds, or unusual vegetation patterns.

In recent years, traditional survey techniques have been supplemented with technological advancement. Examples include ground‐penetrating radar, soil resistivity, and magnetometry. Each of these applications seeks variations in soil patterns that might represent the soil disturbance associated with human burial. They are ideally utilized in homogeneous environments with minimal soil disturbance.

Once a specific site of possible human burial has been located, detailed excavation is called for. The forensic anthropologist trained in archeological techniques is uniquely qualified to conduct this work. The goal is to define the limits of the original burial and locate, document, and recover all relevant evidence, especially human remains and associated artifacts. Proper excavation is needed to minimize damage to the evidence and to document patterns and associations. Such work, conducted properly, maximizes the potential of later interpretation.

The nature of search and recovery efforts varies tremendously with the issues presented by each case. Although the approaches discussed previously are generally relevant, specific applications must target the individuality of the case. Scenes can vary from the classic human burial described previously to underwater environments, the aftermath of building fires, natural disasters, political conflicts, airplane crashes, and others.

Although technological advances in this area of forensic anthropology have been both impressive and useful, in my view, the primary advancement has been (and will continue to be) the growing inclusion of anthropologists in search and recovery efforts. Leadership in search and recovery teams increasingly understands the value of including the skilled anthropologist when human remains may be anticipated.

1.3 Determination of human status

A primary step in forensic anthropological analysis of recovered materials consists of determining if human remains are present. If intact bones or teeth are detected, then this tas...