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Handbook of Missing Persons pp 415–425Cite as

Forensic Anthropology and Missing Persons Investigations

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Abstract

The role of the forensic anthropologist in a missing persons case can often be both invaluable and extensive, stretching from the search phase, through location and recovery to assist in identification of the individual. Forensic anthropologists play a strong role in these cases in both the domestic sphere and in humanitarian investigations and mass disasters where utilisation of their skills can reduce the time taken for a search, ensure accurate recovery of remains and lead to strong intelligence on which to base the identification process. This chapter examines the role of the forensic anthropologist through each phase of any investigation, outlining the skills which can support an investigation including the creation of a biological profile which can eventually lead to a successful identification of the remains recovered.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Ms G. MacKinnon for her assistance with reviewing, supplementing and commenting on this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK

    Lucina Hackman Ph.D.

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  1. Lucina Hackman Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Lucina Hackman Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nursing and Health Sciences, California State University, East Bay, San Francisco, California, USA

    Stephen J. Morewitz

  2. Forensic Archaeology and Genocide, Investigation, Staffordshire University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

    Caroline Sturdy Colls

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Hackman, L. (2016). Forensic Anthropology and Missing Persons Investigations. In: Morewitz, S., Sturdy Colls, C. (eds) Handbook of Missing Persons. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40199-7_27

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