Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

Standard for 

Qualifications in the 

Practice of Forensic 

Anthropology

Anthropology Subcommittee

Crime Scene/Death Investigation Scientific Area Committee

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science
Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

OSAC Proposed Standard

Standard for Qualifications in the 

Practice of Forensic Anthropology

Prepared by 

Anthropology Subcommittee

Version: 1.0

August 2020

Disclaimer:

This document has been developed by the Anthropology Subcommittee of the Organization of 

Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science through a consensus process and is 

proposed for further development through a Standard Developing Organization (SDO). This 

document is being made available so that the forensic science community and interested parties 

can consider the recommendations of the OSAC pertaining to applicable forensic science 

practices. The document was developed with input from experts in a broad array of forensic 

science disciplines as well as scientific research, measurement science, statistics, law, and policy. 

This document has not been published by an SDO. Its contents are subject to change during the 

standards development process. All interested groups or individuals are strongly encouraged to 

submit comments on this proposed document during the open comment period administered by 

the AAFS Standards Board (ASB) https://www.asbstandardsboard.org/.
Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

Keywords: Forensic Anthropologist, Associate Forensic Anthropologist, Assistant Forensic 

Anthropologist, Forensic Anthropology Technician 

Foreword 

The Anthropology Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), 

under the guidance of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), recognizes 

that the practice of forensic anthropology requires an extensive and diverse education and skill 

set. Using this document initially published by the Scientific Working Group for Forensic 

Anthropology (SWGANTH), the subcommittee has reformatted the best practice guideline into 

a standard following the American Standards Board requirements. This document is intended 

to define levels of qualification in Forensic Anthropology. 
Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

Table of Contents

1. Scope.........................................................................................................................................................5

2. Normative References .............................................................................................................................5

3. Terms and Definitions...............................................................................................................................5

3.1 .............................................................................................................................................................5

American Board of Forensic Anthropology...............................................................................................5

ABFA..........................................................................................................................................................5

3.2 .............................................................................................................................................................5

Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board..................................................................................................5

FSAB ..........................................................................................................................................................5

3.3 .............................................................................................................................................................5

Forensic Science Service Provider.............................................................................................................5

FSSP...........................................................................................................................................................5

4. Qualifications in Forensic Anthropology..........................................................................................5

4.1 Forensic Anthropologist .............................................................................................................5

4.1.1 Responsibilities................................................................................................................................6

4.1.2 Minimum Qualifications ..................................................................................................................6

4.2 Associate Forensic Anthropologist..............................................................................................6

4.2.1 Responsibilities................................................................................................................................6

4.2.2 Minimum Qualifications ..................................................................................................................6

4.3. Assistant Forensic Anthropologist .....................................................................................................6

4.3.1 Responsibilities................................................................................................................................6

4.3.2 Minimum Qualifications ..................................................................................................................6

4.4 Forensic Anthropology Technician.....................................................................................................6

4.4.1. Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................................6

4.4.2. Minimum Qualifications......................................................................................................................7

5. Considerations .........................................................................................................................................7

Annex A.........................................................................................................................................................8

Bibliography ..............................................................................................................................................8
Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

1. Scope

This document defines four levels of qualifications and responsibilities in the field of Forensic 

Anthropology:

1. Forensic Anthropologist, 

2. Associate Forensic Anthropologist, 

3. Assistant Forensic Anthropologist, and 

4. Forensic Anthropology Technician. 

Qualifications shall be commensurate with the duties performed in the laboratory. 

2. Normative References

None. 

3. Terms and Definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following definitions and acronyms apply.

3.1

American Board of Forensic Anthropology

ABFA

An accredited organization that provides certification in forensic anthropology.

3.2

Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board

FSAB

An organization that assesses, recognizes and monitors organizations or professional boards (e.g. 

ABFA) that certify individual forensic scientists or other forensic specialists.

3.3

Forensic Science Service Provider

FSSP

A forensic science agency or forensic science practitioner providing forensic science services.

4. Qualifications in Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology requires qualifications that have both breadth in the scope of anthropological 

inquiry and depth in specific areas of related practice. A holistic understanding of anthropology is 

desirable for the practice of forensic anthropology.

Practitioners shall possess the appropriate qualifications relevant to the forensic anthropologyrelated duties and shall demonstrate competency in any analyses they are expected to perform. 

Forensic science service providers (FSSP) should strive to employ the most qualified forensic 

anthropologists appropriate to their case-working functions and organizational requirements. 

4.1 Forensic Anthropologist 
Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

4.1.1 Responsibilities

Forensic Anthropologists independently conduct forensic anthropological analyses and author

reports. Forensic Anthropologists may supervise individuals at all levels. 

4.1.2 Minimum Qualifications

Forensic Anthropologists shall possess a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) or equivalent in Anthropology or a 

closely-related field, with a significant emphasis on forensic anthropology, human osteology, skeletal 

biology, human skeletal variation, human anatomy, and statistics. 

Forensic Anthropologists shall maintain active certification in forensic anthropology by an accredited 

organization (e.g. the ABFA). 

4.2 Associate Forensic Anthropologist 

4.2.1 Responsibilities

Associate Forensic Anthropologists independently conduct forensic anthropology analyses and

author reports. Whenever possible, reports should be reviewed or approved by a Forensic 

Anthropologist. 

4.2.2 Minimum Qualifications

Associate Forensic Anthropologists shall have a Master’s Degree with certification by an accredited 

organization, or a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.). The degrees shall be in anthropology or in a closely 

related field with significant emphasis on forensic anthropology, human osteology, skeletal biology, 

human skeletal variation, human anatomy, and statistics. Equivalent degrees are acceptable.

4.3. Assistant Forensic Anthropologist 

4.3.1 Responsibilities

Assistant Forensic Anthropologists may conduct forensic anthropology analyses and may author 

reports that shall, at a minimum, be reviewed or approved by a Forensic Anthropologist. 

4.3.2 Minimum Qualifications

Assistant Forensic Anthropologists shall possess a Master’s Degree (MA or MS) or equivalent in 

Anthropology or closely related field, with a significant emphasis on human osteology, skeletal 

biology, human skeletal variation, human anatomy, and statistics. 

4.4 Forensic Anthropology Technician

4.4.1. Responsibilities
Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Anthropology Technicians may collect data (e.g. taking measurements and notes), assist 

with forensic anthropological analyses or other laboratory duties involving remains, and perform 

specific tasks that create specimens, samples, or other items that can be used for analyses (e.g. 

sampling for DNA). Forensic Anthropology Technicians shall not independently author reports.

4.4.2. Minimum Qualifications

Forensic Anthropology Technicians shall possess a Bachelor’s Degree (BA and/or BS) in 

Anthropology or a closely related field and shall have training in laboratory protocols and evidence 

handling procedures.

5. Considerations

Outside of the United States, consideration should be given to the availability of comparable 

education, certification, and professional development programs. 

Individuals such as students, interns, and laboratory assistants who do not qualify as Forensic 

Anthropology Technicians may be involved in other forensic anthropology-related roles and should 

be adequately supervised. 
Standard for Qualifications in the Practice of Forensic Anthropology

Annex A

Bibliography

(informative)

1] American Board of Forensic Anthropology. www.theabfa.org.