Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology - (Advances in Human Biology) by Linda L Klepinger (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This text is the first of its level written in more than twenty years. It serves as a summary and guide to the core material that needs to be mastered and evaluated for the practice of forensic anthropology.

The text is divided into three parts that collectively provide a solid base in theory and methodology:

• Part One, "Background Setting for Forensic Anthropology," introduces the field and discusses the role of forensic anthropology in historic context.
• Part Two, "Towards Personal Identification," discusses initial assessments of skeletal remains; determining sex, age, ancestral background, and stature; and skeletal markers of activity and life history.
• Part Three, "Principal Anthropological Roles in Medical-Legal Investigation," examines trauma; the postmortem period; professionalism, ethics, and the expert witness; and genetics and DNA.

The critical and evaluative approach to the primary literature stresses the inherent biological constraints on degrees of precision and certainty, and cautions about potential pitfalls. The practical focus, coupled with theoretical basics, make Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology ideal for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in biological anthropology as well as forensic scientists in allied fields of medical-legal investigation.

From the Back Cover

This text is the first of its level written in more than twenty years. It serves as a summary and guide to the core material that needs to be mastered and evaluated for the practice of forensic anthropology.

The text is divided into three parts that collectively provide a solid base in theory and methodology:

• Part One, "Background Setting for Forensic Anthropology," introduces the field and discusses the role of forensic anthropology in historic context.
• Part Two, "Towards Personal Identification," discusses initial assessments of skeletal remains; determining sex, age, ancestral background, and stature; and skeletal markers of activity and life history.
• Part Three, "Principal Anthropological Roles in Medical-Legal Investigation," examines trauma; the postmortem period; professionalism, ethics, and the expert witness; and genetics and DNA.

The critical and evaluative approach to the primary literature stresses the inherent biological constraints on degrees of precision and certainty, and cautions about potential pitfalls. The practical focus, coupled with theoretical basics, make Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology ideal for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in biological anthropology as well as forensic scientists in allied fields of medical-legal investigation.

Review Quotes

"[The author] sets the standard for how textbooks should be engagingly written with clarity and humor." (reviewed by Jeri DeYoung, The Applied Anthropologist, Spring 2008)

"...a valuable addition to the forensic science literature...essential." (CHOICE, June 2007)

"...an important contribution from a well versed and experienced forensic anthropologist, and will serve as a useful summary of the state of the science today." (American Journal of Physical Anthropology, March 2007)

"...the first of its level written in more than twenty years...an essential foundation for the practice of forensic anthropology." (SirReadaLot.org, August 2006)

About the Author

Linda L. Klepinger is the author of Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology, published by Wiley.