Forensic Anthropology - Theoretical Framework and Scientific Basis

Provides comprehensive coverage of everything that students and practitioners need to know about working in the field of forensic anthropology
 
Forensic anthropology has been plagued by questions of scientific validity and rigor despite its acceptance as a section in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences nearly half a century ago. Critics have viewed it as a laboratory-based applied subfield of biological anthropology, and characterised it as emphasising methodology over theory. This book shows that these views are not only antiquated, but inadequate and inaccurate.
 
Forensic Anthropology: Theoretical Framework and Scientific Basis introduces readers to all of the theoretical and scientific foundations of forensic anthropology -- beginning with how it was influenced by the early theoretical approaches of Tyler, Morgan, Spencer and Darwin. It instructs on how modern forensic science relies on an interdisciplinary approach -- with research being conducted in the fields of archaeology, physics, geology and other disciplines. This modern approach to theory in forensic anthropology is presented through the introduction and discussion of Foundational, Interpretive and Methodological theories. Sections cover: Bias and Objectivity in Forensic Anthropology Theory and Practice; The Theory and Science Behind Biological Profile and Personal Identification; Scientific Foundation for Interpretations of Antemortem, Perimortem, and Postmortem Processes; and Interdisciplinary Influences, Legal Ramifications and Future Directions.
* Illustrates important aspects of the theory building process and reflects methods for strengthening the scientific framework of forensic anthropology as a discipline
* Inspired by the "Application of Theory to Forensic Anthropology" symposium presented at the 67th annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
* Chapters written by experts in the field who were presenters at the symposium
 
Forensic Anthropology: Theoretical Framework and Scientific Basis is ideal for university courses in anthropological science, forensic science, criminal science and forensic archaeology.

List of contents

About the Editors, xv
 
Notes on contributors, xvii
 
Foreword, xxiii
 
Series preface, xxv
 
Acknowledgments, xxvii
 
1 The theoretical and scientific foundations of forensic anthropology, 1
C. Clifford Boyd and Donna C. Boyd
 
1.1 Introduction, 1
 
1.2 A selective history of theory in forensic anthropology, 2
 
1.3 A modern perspective on forensic anthropology theory, 5
 
1.3.1 Three forms of logical reasoning, 8
 
1.3.2 Theory building in forensic anthropology: Linking logic and theory, 10
 
1.4 Forensic anthropology theory and modern practice, 12
 
1.5 Final comments, 15
 
References, 15
 
Part 1 Bias and objectivity in forensic anthropology theory and practice, 19
 
2 Subjective with a capital S? Issues of objectivity in forensic anthropology, 21
Allysha Powanda Winburn
 
2.1 Introduction, 21
 
2.2 Objectivity, subjectivity, and forensic anthropological theory, 22
 
2.3 Subjectivity in science, 24
 
2.3.1 Subjectivity in forensic anthropology, 24
 
2.3.2 Effects of bias on forensic anthropology, 25
 
2.3.3 Subjective science is not bad science, 26
 
2.4 Mitigated objectivity: A path forward..., 27
 
2.4.1 Constraining subjectivity and bias, 28
 
2.4.2 The continuing process of constraint, 33
 
2.5 Conclusion, 34
 
References, 34
 
3 Navigating cognitive bias in forensic anthropology, 39
Michael W. Warren, Amanda N. Friend and Michala K. Stock
 
3.1 Introduction, 39
 
3.2 Types of cognitive bias, 40
 
3.3 Research versus applied science, 41
 
3.4 Recommended solutions to mitigate confirmation bias, 43
 
3.5 Challenges unique to forensic anthropology, 44
 
3.5.1 Anthropologists work in a variety of professional contexts, 44
 
3.5.2 The uniqueness of the forensic anthropology testing sample, 45
 
3.5.3 Multiple tests to reach a single conclusion, 45
 
3.6 An example of how bias affects procedures, 46
 
3.7 Workable solutions, 49
 
3.8 Summary, 49
 
References, 50
 
4 Theoretically interesting: Different perspectives of the application of theory to forensic anthropology practice and research, 53
Soren Blau
 
4.1 Introduction, 53
 
4.2 Practising in context, 56
 
4.3 Ethical considerations for the development of theory, 58
 
4.4 Can theories be applied universally?, 59
 
4.5 Conclusion, 59
 
Acknowledgements, 61
 
References, 61
 
Part 2 The theory and science behind biological profile and personal identification, 65
 
5 From Blumenbach to Howells: The slow, painful emergence of theory through forensic race estimation, 67
Stephen Ousley, Richard L. Jantz and Joseph T. Hefner
 
5.1 Introduction, 67
 
5.2 Race as a concept and theory, 68
 
5.2.1 Evolution, rather than race, explains human biological variation, 70
 
5.2.2 Human variation is continuous, 72
 
5.2.3 Human biological variation involves many traits that typically vary independently, 73
 
5.2.4 Genetic variation within so?]called races is much greater than the variation among them, 74
 
5.2.5 There is no way to consistently classify human beings by race, 75
 
5.3 Anthropology and race, 79
 
5.4 Forensic anthropology and race, 85
 
5.5 Race and the future, 90
 
Acknowledgments, 92
 
References, 92
 
6 The application of theory in skeletal age estimation, 99
Natalie R. Langley and Beatrix Dudzik
 
6.1 Introduction, 99
 
6.2 Skeletal age, 101
 
6.3 Hist

About the author

Edited by C. Clifford Boyd Jr, PhD, RPA, is currently a Professor of Anthropological Sciences at Radford University, Virginia, Co-Director of the RU Forensic Science Institute, and Consultant for the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Donna C. Boyd, PhD, D-ABFA, is Eminent Professor of Anthropological Sciences at Radford University, Co-Director of the RU Forensic Science Institute, Professor of Biomedical Science at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and Consultant for the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Summary

Provides comprehensive coverage of everything that students and practitioners need to know about working in the field of forensic anthropology

Forensic anthropology has been plagued by questions of scientific validity and rigor despite its acceptance as a section in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences nearly half a century ago. Critics have viewed it as a laboratory-based applied subfield of biological anthropology, and characterised it as emphasising methodology over theory. This book shows that these views are not only antiquated, but inadequate and inaccurate.

Forensic Anthropology: Theoretical Framework and Scientific Basis introduces readers to all of the theoretical and scientific foundations of forensic anthropology -- beginning with how it was influenced by the early theoretical approaches of Tyler, Morgan, Spencer and Darwin. It instructs on how modern forensic science relies on an interdisciplinary approach -- with research being conducted in the fields of archaeology, physics, geology and other disciplines. This modern approach to theory in forensic anthropology is presented through the introduction and discussion of Foundational, Interpretive and Methodological theories. Sections cover: Bias and Objectivity in Forensic Anthropology Theory and Practice; The Theory and Science Behind Biological Profile and Personal Identification; Scientific Foundation for Interpretations of Antemortem, Perimortem, and Postmortem Processes; and Interdisciplinary Influences, Legal Ramifications and Future Directions.
* Illustrates important aspects of the theory building process and reflects methods for strengthening the scientific framework of forensic anthropology as a discipline
* Inspired by the "Application of Theory to Forensic Anthropology" symposium presented at the 67th annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
* Chapters written by experts in the field who were presenters at the symposium

Forensic Anthropology: Theoretical Framework and Scientific Basis is ideal for university courses in anthropological science, forensic science, criminal science and forensic archaeology.

Product details

• Authors: C Boyd, C. Clifford Boyd, C. Clifford Boyd Boyd, Clifford Boyd, Clifford Boyd Boyd, Donna Boyd, Donna C. Boyd, Donna C. Boyd Boyd
• Assisted by: C. Clifford Boyd (Editor), Donna C. Boyd (Editor), C Boyd (Editor), C Boyd (Editor), Clifford Boyd (Editor), C Clifford Boyd (Editor)
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 28.02.2018
• EAN: 9781119226383
• ISBN: 978-1-119-22638-3
• No. of pages: 368
• Series: Forensic Science in Focus; Forensic Science in Focus
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Chemistry; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Miscellaneous; Anthropologie, Chemie, Analytische Chemie, Forensik, Life Sciences, Anthropology, Biowissenschaften, chemistry, Forensic Science, Medizinische Anthropologie, Medical Anthropology, Analytische Chemie / Forensik, Forensics