Priority Action Report

Anthropology

Crime Scene/Death Investigation

Thomas D. Holland, Ph.D.

February 13, 2017
Subcommittee Leadership

Position Name Organization Term Email

Chair Tom Holland, Ph.D. Defense POW/MIA

Accounting 

Agency

3 years 

(*1)

Thomas.d.holland.civ

@mail.mil

Vice Chair Diane France, Ph.D. Human 

Identification Lab 

of Colorado

4 years 

(*2)

DLF@HumanIdLab.com

Executive 

Secretary

Todd Fenton, Ph.D. Michigan State 

University

4 years 

(*2)

fentont@msu.edu

2

*years remaining on original term
Subcommittee Members

# Name Organization Term Email

1 Eric J. Bartelink California State University Chico 2(R) ebartelink@csuchico.edu

2 William R. Belcher Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency 2(R) william.r.belcher.civ@mail.mil

3 Hugh E. Berryman Middle Tennessee State University 2(R) hugh.berryan@mtsu.edu

4 Angi M. Christensen FBI Laboratory 3 angi.christensen@ic.fbi.gov

5 Gretchen R. Dabbs Southern Illinois University 4 gdabbs@siu.edu

6 Sharon M. Derrick Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences 3* Sharon.Derrick@ifs.hctx.net

7 Paul Emanovsky Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency 3* pemanovsky@hotmail.com

8 Todd W. Fenton Michigan State University 4 fentont@msu.edu

9 Diane L. France Human Identification Laboratory of Colorado 4 DLF@HumanIDLab.com

10 Kristen Hartnett CT Office of the Chief Medical Examiner 4 dr.khartnett@gmail.com

11 Joseph T. Hefner Michigan State University 4 hefnerj1@msu.edu 

12 Thomas D. Holland Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency 3 thomas.d.holland.civ@mail.mil

13 Jennifer Love Washington, DC OCME 3 jennifer.love@dc.gov

14 Wendy Potter McQuade University of North Texas 3* Wendy.mcquade@unthsc.edu

15 Owen Middleton Hennepin Co. Medical Examiner’s Office 2(R) owen.middleton@hennepin.us

** Stephen Ousley Mercyhurst University ** sousley@mercyhurst.edu 

16 Nicholas V. Passalacqua Joint POW/MIA Central Identification Lab 3 nicholas.v.passalacqua.civ@mail.mil 

17 Vincent J. Sava Joint POW/MIA Central Identification Lab 4 vincent.j.sava.civ@mail.mil

18 Douglas D. Scott Colorado Mesa University 2(R) ddscott@coloradomesa.edu

19 Richard M. Thomas FBI Laboratory 3 richard.m.thomas@ic.fbi.gov

2(R): Renewed *New member **Advisory
Discipline Description

The Subcommittee on Anthropology will 

focus on standards and guidelines related 

to application of anthropological methods 

and theory – particularly those relating to 

the recovery and analysis of human 

remains – to resolve legal matters. 

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Summary of Standards/Guidelines 

Priority Actions

Priority Working Title of Document

Priority 1 (1 of 5) Standard for Stature Estimation from Human Remains

Priority 1 (2 of 5) Technical Report: Glossary for Forensic Anthropology

Priority 1 (3 of 5) Training and Competency in Forensic Anthropology

Priority 1 (4 of 5) Best Practice Recommendation for Facial Approximation in Forensic Anthropology

Priority 1 (5 of 5) Standard for Sex Estimation in Forensic Anthropology

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Summary of Standards/Guidelines 

Priority Actions

Priority Working Title of Document

Priority 2 (New) Standard for Methods Selection and Validation in Forensic Anthropology

Priority 2 (New) Standard Guide for Archaeology/Anthropology Scene Detection and Processing

Priority 2 (New) Standard for Age Estimation in Forensic Anthropology

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document (1 of 8 documents )

Document Title: Standard for Stature Estimation from Human Remains

Scope: Stature estimation is based on a mathematical relationship 

between skeletal dimensions and stature. This standard describes 

recommended methods for estimating adult stature from skeletal 

elements when disarticulation has occurred rendering measured cadaver 

length unreliable. 

Objective/rationale: To develop a standard for accurate estimation of 

stature in skeletal remains. 

Next steps: Document complete and has been through Resource 

Committees, submitted to SAC. If positive response, will submit to ASB

Task Group Name: Anthropology

Task Group Chair Name: Jennifer Love

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

Jennifer.Love@dc.gov

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document (2 of 8 documents)

Document Title: Technical Report: Glossary for Forensic 

Anthropology

Scope: This technical report describes recommended terminology 

for use in forensic anthropology. Practitioners of forensic 

anthropology should implement this terminology to the extent 

applicable, practical and appropriate. 

Objective/rationale: To develop terminology that can dove-tail 

with other disciplines.

Currently: Document submitted to the SAC.

Task Group Name: Anthropology

Task Group Chair Name: Kristen Hartnett

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

dr.khartnett@gmail.com

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document (3 of 8 documents)

Document Title: Training and Competency in Forensic 

Anthropology

Scope: This guide recommends levels of education, training, 

experience, and professional activities required to practice forensic 

anthropology at various qualification levels.

Objective/rationale: To develop a guideline for the level of training 

and competency to be a forensic anthropologist.

Currently: Document uploaded for SC comment.

Task Group Name: Anthropology

Task Group Chair Name: Angi Christensen

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

Angi.Christensen@ic.fbi.gov

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document (4 of 8 documents)

Document Title: Best Practice Recommendation for Facial 

Approximation in Forensic Anthropology

Scope: Facial approximation from skeletal remains assists 

investigations of unidentified remains by estimating the 

antemortem facial appearance of an individual in an effort to 

capture public attention regarding the case.

Objective/rationale: A guideline for facial approximation does not 

yet exist. 

Currently: Ready to submit to Resource Committees.

Task Group Name: Anthropology

Task Group Chair Name: Richard M. Thomas

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

richard.m.thomas@ic.fbi.gov

10
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document (5 of 8 documents)

Document Title: Standard for Sex Estimation in Forensic Anthropology

Scope: Precise estimation of sex is critical to the accurate estimation of 

ancestry, age and stature, and is an essential element in the biological 

profile that can narrow a list of missing persons. Standards presented in 

this document are applied to the estimation of adult sex using skeletal 

remains. 

Objective/rationale: A standard for sex estimation in forensic 

anthropology does not yet exist. 

Currently: Document uploaded for SC comment.

Task Group Name: Anthropology

Task Group Chair Name: Kristen Hartnett

Task Group Chair Contact 

Information:dr.khartnett@gmail.com

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document (new) (6 of 8 

documents) 

Document Title: Standards for Methods Selection and Validation in 

Forensic Anthropology

Scope: The selection, validation and proper use of methods are critical to producing accurate and reliable test results. This standard describes best 

practices for the selection and validation of methods for use in forensic 

anthropology analyses. Practitioners of forensic anthropology should 

implement this standard to the extent applicable, practical, and 

appropriate.

Objective/rationale: There is no existing standard for method and development and validation in forensic anthropology.

Currently: Document uploaded for SC comment.

Task Group Name: Anthropology

Task Group Chair Name: Vincent Sava

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

vincent.j.sava.civ@mail.mil

12
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document (new) (7 of 8 

documents)

Document Title: Standard Guide for Archaeology/Anthropology 

Scene Detection and Processing.

Scope: The detection, processing, documentation and collection of 

human remains and associated evidence at a crime scene must 

include the proper handling of evidence and maintaining the chain 

of custody. Practitioners shall implement the standard 

commensurate with jurisdictional requirements. 

Objective/rationale: No such standard currently exists. 

Currently: Document uploaded for SC comment.

Task Group Name: Anthropology

Task Group Chair Name: Hugh Berryman

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

berryman@mtsu.edu

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document (new) (8 of 8 

documents)

Document Title: Standard for Age Estimation in Forensic 

Anthropology

Scope: This standard outlines appropriate methods to determine 

age; one of several biological parameters that can be estimated 

from skeletal remains or radiographic images of skeletal remains. 

Objective/rationale: To develop a standard for age estimation in 

forensic anthropology where none yet exists.

Currently: Document uploaded for SC comment.

Task Group Name: Anthropology

Task Group Chair Name: Nicholas Passalacqua

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

passala5@gmail.com

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Task Group/Subcommittee Actions

Document/Action Action OSAC Process 

Stage Date

Standard for Stature Estimation from Human Remains Submitted to SAC SDO-400 1/21/2017

Training and Competency in Forensic Anthropology SC comment stage SDO-200 11/2/2016

Standard for Methods Selection and Validation in Forensic 

Anthropology SC comment stage SDO-200 10/27/2016

Best Practice Recommendation for Facial Approximation in Forensic

Anthropology

To be submitted to RC (SC 

ballot approved) SDO-200 10/8/2016

Standard for Age Estimation in Forensic Anthropology SC comment stage SDO-200 10/5/2016

Technical Report: Glossary for Forensic Anthropology Submitted to SAC SDO 400 9/15/2016

Standard for Sex Estimation in Forensic Anthropology To be submitted to RC (SC 

ballot approved) SDO-200 9/8/2016

Angi Christensen assigned liaison to ASB Anthropology SDO-500 8/25/2016

First meeting of the ASB Anthropology Consensus Body Anthropology SDO-625 7/6/2016

Standard Guide for Archaeology/Anthropology Scene Detection and 

Processing SC comment stage SDO-200 6/1/2016

Anthropology Subcommittee
Research Gaps Identified (2016)

• Controlled experimental bone trauma studies in collaboration with 

biomechanical engineers to further the understanding of fracture 

patterns in bone. 

• Determination of healing rates of fractures, especially to estimate time 

since injury in children and the elderly. 

• Development of time since death methods that rely more upon the 

skeletal material itself, such as isotope signatures in various tissues, 

and therefore less on the taphonomic environment. 

• Validation of stable isotope estimates of geographic origin using 

current and new isotopes. 

• Collect additional population sample data (nonmetric, metric, skeletal, 

dental) for diverse areas of the world, particularly under-studied 

immigrant groups. 

(continued next page)

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Research Gaps Identified (Additional)

• Validation studies of technologies (e.g. ground penetrating radar, 

remote sensing), and recovery techniques from various contexts in 

forensic anthropology. 

• Determination of the frequency of skeletal and dental anomalies in 

different populations, and development of methods to combine 

information from various sources (i.e. anthropological, dental, DNA) to 

provide a robust statistical basis for identification. 

• Development of better statistical methods for combining age 

estimations from multiple indicators, particularly those that produce 

explicit confidence intervals, representing uncertainty in estimates due 

to sample size and to different relationships between indicators and 

age.

• Population frequency data for radiologic identification (new 2017) 

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