Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Recovery Unit

WU-FARU's Dr. Klales has again been appointed by the Governor's Office to the Unmarked Burial Sites Preservation Board!

Link: https://www.kslegislature.gov/b2023_24/laws/075_000_0000_chapter/075_027_0000_article/075_027_0044_section/075_027_0044_k/

WU-FARU's Dr. Adams has been appointed to the American Board of Forensic Anthropology's Board of Directors!

https://www.theabfa.org/board-of-directors

FUNDING ALERT!

FSF Field and Lucas Research Grants—June 15 Deadline Reminder

Purpose and Award: The Forensic Sciences Foundation (FSF) Research Grants are intended to help the investigator/researcher initiate original in-depth, problem-oriented research.

Grant Award: $35,000 has been allocated to fund Field and Lucas Research Grants. Kenneth S. Field Grants are those that are requesting $1,500 or less and Douglas M. Lucas Grants are those requesting $1,501 – $6,000.

The Field and Lucas Research Grants The Forensic Sciences Foundation (FSF) Kenneth S. Field Grants (up to $1,500) and the Douglas M. Lucas Grants ($1,501–$6,000) are intended to help the investigator/researcher initiate original in-depth, problem-oriented research. These grants are open to members and affiliates (at any level) of th...

Newsday release (05.31.2026) on Dr. Adam's role in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case!
Link: https://share.google/i6YeE2glCEX91MMwY

Dr. K will be presenting at the upcoming KANSAS CORONER AND MEDICOLEGAL DEATH INVESTIGATION CONFERENCE!

Dr. K is in Hawai'i for two weeks at the University of Hawai’i Manoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. K, along with eight members of the MOSAIC team, is collecting skeletal data for their research grant!

More about the collection: “The JABSOM Skeletal Collection, formally known as the Mann-Labrash Osteological Collection, is housed at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. It is one of the only contemporary collections of known-identity human skeletal remains, primarily used to advance forensic anthropology and medical education.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32524099/

More about the MOSAIC project: https://anthropology.unm.edu/news-events/news/item/mosaic-creating-the-first-of-its-kind-database-for-analyzing-human-remains.html

Check out the SOAN Spring 2026 newsletter for updates on the WU-FARU, our faculty/students, and the entire department!

www.washburn.edu

We still have spots open in our upcoming June 2026 short courses!

Applying MorphoPASSE to Forensic Casework
June 5, 2026 from 8am to 5pm (online synchronous w/ Dr. Klales) (Cost $125)

Human Skeletal Biology: Estimating the Biological Profile
June 1-15, 2026 (online asynchronous) (Cost $450)

Registration Link: https://secure.touchnet.net/C21751_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=5&SINGLESTORE=true

Information: https://tower.washburn.edu/wu-faru/wu-faru-courses.html

WU-FARU

Hot off the presses! Check out Dr. K's co-authored research article, "Testing Approaches to Population Affinity/Sex Classification Using Fordisc 3.1: Considerations for Best Practice Recommendations for U.S. Forensic Casework" published in early view in Forensic Anthropology!

Test Approaches to Population Affinity/Sex Classification Using Fordisc 3.1: Considerations for Best Practice Recommendations for U.S. Forensic Casework | Forensic Anthropology Test Approaches to Population Affinity/Sex Classification Using Fordisc 3.1 Considerations for Best Practice Recommendations for U.S. Forensic Casework Article Sidebar Requires Subscription or Fee PDF (USD 25) Published: May 14, 2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2025.0025 Keywords: forensic anthr...

Former WU-FARU volunteer, BS Anthro grad, and former Forensic Anthro lab assistant! Congratulations Sabrina!

Today, Johnson & Mass-Hinitt is proud to celebrate our newly licensed funeral director and embalmer, Sabrina Cathcart! If you see her out and about, be sure to congratulate her—and wish her a very happy birthday, too! 🎉