BU Forensic Anthropology

Over the past four weeks, the first- and second-year students from our program have been spending their Tuesdays in Holliston, putting into practice everything they’ve learned in Field Methods ⛏️ 🌟

From soil probing and mapping with the total station to excavations, evidence collection, and creating soil profiles.

PS. Last week was the second-years’ turn to say goodbye to Holliston… graduation is right around the corner! 🎓

Courtroom in session! ⚖️

On Monday, our second-years had the opportunity to practice testifying in court during a mock trial for Expert Witness Class.

A huge thank you to ADA Jessica Elumba, Attorney Alex Zane, and Judge Sharon Donatelle for making this such an fun and valuable experience!

Last week, four of our second-year students successfully defended their theses, and we’re happy to give them, and their research, the spotlight they truly deserve! 📖🌟

Congratulations to Austin, Bella, Rachael and Skylar!!✨

This past weekend many of us went to the AABA (American Association of Biological Anthropologists) conference in Denver! It was so great to meet other anthropology students and listen to (soo many) posters, podiums, and workshop presentations.

Our program regularly attends the AABA and AAFS (American Academy of Forensic Sciences) conferences, which are a great way to meet other forensic anthropologists, present your own thesis research, and hear others present current research innovations across the field.

Kicking off the Spring Semester with half of the first years having their first Outdoor Crime Scene lab:
Fingerprint analysis! 🫆✨🔎

In this class, first year students got to practice two different methods of taking prints and how to properly fill out print cards!

Peek the last slide to meet our amazing second-year TA for this semester: Brooklyn 🌟

First and second years are starting the Spring Semester!🌟
For the first time, both years are taking Field Methods in Forensic Anthropology together!

First years have already taken Forensic Pathology and are diving into Forensic Anthropology Techniques, Crime Scene, and Design & Stats in Forensic Anthropology.

Second years are in their last semester (yay graduation!) and will take on Applied Forensic Anthropology & Expert Witness Testimony + wrapping up their research theses!

Here’s to a great Spring Semester! 🌸

This past Friday was our first years’ last class for the Forensic Pathology weeklong course, taught by Dr. Jennifer Hammers. This course goes over the responsibilities of forensic pathologists and medical examiners, and how they identify cause of death. It’s definitely intensive, with back to back lectures, but very informative!
Dr. Hammers is based in PA, and travels up to Boston to teach this class every year. As always thank you for a wonderful class!
Our spring classes start this week (already!), can’t wait to see everyone again soon!

The Anatomy and Neurobiology department holiday party was a great way to get into the festive spirit! Happy holidays folks!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our end of the semester program party! A little bit of pizza and a lot of Jeopardy with a 2000s twist.
Congratulations to our three Jeopardy winners Bella, Madison, and Riley!!! And thank you Rosie and Loki for being the best dogs!! What a great way to kick off winter break!

Fall semester recap!
CLASSES: In our fall semesters, first years take Advanced Osteology, History, Theory, and Methods, Professional Skills, and 1/2 of the class takes Outdoor Crime Scene. These classes are foundational for the program. Our second years take Anatomy, Trauma, and Taphonomy; classes more geared towards the roles of a forensic anthropologist.

HOLLISTON: Second years got plenty of use and fresh fall air out at Holliston while we finish collecting data. The weather was kind enough this year that the first years in Outdoor Crime Scene were also able to tour the facility.

OUTSIDE ADVENTURES: Between classes, thesis writing, and studying (so much studying), our students had fun in and around Boston! From hiking, museum visits, nights out and even seeing Hamilton! Theres never a shortage of things do to.

FUN WITH BUFSS: This semester some of our students went to painting event and hockey game!

SURVIVING THE SEMESTER: This semester was… interesting. With a building fire that moved many of us out of the lab, it got a bit hectic. Big thanks to our wonderful administrators and faculty for pulling together!

HOMESTRETCH: With the semester coming to a close we wanted to congratulate everyone on the hard work they did! First years have already done their final thesis proposal presentation and crime scene case reports! And by the end of today, second years will have finished two finals! You got this!