The Value of Forensic Anthropology in Undergraduate Anthropology Programs

Abstract

Anecdotally, it has been suggested that undergraduate anthropology students are more interested in forensic anthropology than any other specialty but that forensic anthropologists are less desired as colleagues in academia due to the nature of their work. The goal of this project was to examine two related questions: Does having a forensic anthropologist, or an undergraduate concentration in forensic anthropology, increase the number of majors in anthropology programs? And are forensic anthropologists less likely to be hired for relevant biological anthropology academic positions? To address these questions, data from a number of sources were analyzed. Results found that academic programs with a forensic anthropology concentration had large increases in the overall number of anthropology majors and that programs with forensic anthropologists as faculty produced significantly more anthropology bachelor's degrees. These data are counter to the current national trend of declining anthropology degrees. For jobs in academia specifically desiring a forensic anthropologist, forensic anthropologists were hired in only 58 percent of postings. This study shows a reluctance to hire forensic anthropologists in academia despite their positive impact on the growth of anthropology programs; it also has implications for the education of future forensic anthropologists. [forensic anthropology, academia, enrollment, career, hiring]

Caseloads in forensic anthropology

“…Combined with the recent work of Passalacqua, Mulholland, et al (2021) as well as the findings here that individuals with backgrounds in bioarchaeology were more likely to be hired as forensic anthropologists in academic settings; there is evidence of a possible systemic problem in forensic anthropology pedagogy, at least in part generated by the greater anthropological discipline. That is, only a few academic institutions produce practicing forensic anthropologists, and individuals with backgrounds in bioarchaeology (rather than forensic anthropology) are being hired into positions to train future generations of forensic anthropologists.…”

“…Whereas, individuals with research foci on forensic anthropology were more likely employed in an applied setting and were performing slightly more casework (see Figure 4). These results are interesting in light of recent research (Passalacqua, Mulholland, et al, 2021), which illustrated that individuals with backgrounds in bioarchaeology were more likely to be employed in academic positions that expressed interest in hiring a forensic anthropologist.…”

“…These results are interesting in light of recent research (Passalacqua, Mulholland, et al, 2021), which illustrated that individuals with backgrounds in bioarchaeology were more likely to be employed in academic positions that expressed interest in hiring a forensic anthropologist.…”

“…While we recognize that bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology are similar areas of inquiry, being competent in one subdiscipline does not translate to competency in the other (Passalacqua, Pilloud, et al, 2021). It is important that training in the application of forensic anthropology is provided by individuals with demonstrated competency in the discipline, and that those without such competencies do not misrepresent themselves as capable to perform such work (Passalacqua, Mulholland, et al, 2021).…”

“…It could also serve to privilege certain methods and perspectives and could function as a form of gatekeeping. However, this may also reflect a wider disciplinary reluctance to hire forensic anthropologists at larger doctoral degree generating anthropology programs, limiting the available options for doctoral‐level forensic anthropologists (Passalacqua, Mulholland, et al, 2021). During the hiring process, managers should prioritize training and experience over university attended to ensure diverse perspectives within the laboratory.…”