Forensic Anthropologist Job Description

Forensic anthropologist job description and profile

Forensic anthropology is a branch of forensic pathology that deals with human remains or more particularly, skeletal remains. They help solve crimes and decide on the time of death, cause of death, circumstances of death and other similar questions through the study of skeletons.

Forensic anthropologist job duties and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of a forensic anthropologist are:

• Examining the remains of the human body and determining the cause of death
• Creating the identity or recreating the face of the person based on the bone structure
• Determines other characteristics of the body such as gender, age, height and weight
• Determining any suspicious suggestion on the body leading to death
• Work together with the crime investigation agency to draw conclusions on the cause of death
• Training junior forensic anthropologists and teach forensic anthropology in medical colleges
• Testifying in the court of law regarding the findings on the body
• Conduct research in the field of anthropology and forensics

Forensic anthropologist skills and specifications

The skills and specifications of a forensic anthropologist are:

• A thorough knowledge about anthropology
• A thorough knowledge about human anatomy and skeletal system
• Good communication skills
• Very good analysis and interpretation skills
• Ability to work long and hard hours
• High precision in work in order to reconstruct the features of the body

Forensic anthropologist education and qualifications

The education period of a forensic anthropologist is long and hard. The qualifications required are:

• A four year medical school degree
• A four year forensic anthropology residency
• One or two years of internship

A forensic anthropologist has to earn certificates from the American Board of Forensic Anthropology by getting through a written exam.

Forensic anthropologist salary

The salary of a forensic anthropologist ranges between $30,000 per year in the initial stages of the career to $100,000 after gaining experience.