Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions concerning forensic anthropology. I hope the answers to some of your questions and conerns can be found here. Please note that any comments or advice I offer at this website reflect my own opinions based on my past experiences and or discussions with students, colleagues, and web-surfers. Different forensic anthropologists may have different opinions, and you are encouraged to seek advice from other sources.
Forensic anthropology is a subdiscipline within the subfield of physical anthropology.
Some people still include linguistics as a fourth subfield, but more commonly this area is being absorbed by the other three. It borrows methods and techniques developed from skeletal biology and osteology and applies them to cases of forensic importance. When we take these methods and apply them to unknown modern human remains, with the aim of establishing identity or manner of death, then we are practicing the forensic application of osteology. From there, you can specialize in how to use osteology in forensic cases. Those of you who are unable to find degree programs in forensic anthropology should limit your search to physical anthropology, then focus on osteology or skeletal biology, and finally look for people who do forensic cases.