Focus in Forensic Anthropology

four people in the woods at the forensic anthropology field school at UTM
ANT306H5F Forensic anthropology field school at UTM. Photo courtesy of M. Clayton (used with permission).

What is forensic anthropology?

Forensic anthropology involves the study of human biology, archaeology and ethnohistory, including:

  • The study of body deposition and scene reconstruction
  • Human remains recovery
  • Human identification
  • The postmortem interval
  • Skeletal trauma in modern legal contexts

Are you interested in biology, osteology, forensics, law, or criminal investigations? Consider a focus in Forensic Anthropology at UTM.

Career areas include:

  • Consultative and advisory services to forensic pathologists or coroners
  • Crime scene reports
  • Expert witnesses in the courtroom
  • Human right organizations and government agencies
  • Assisting in coordination of a fatality response plan during disaster situations
  • Peer reviews of anthropological findings by local specialists
  • Academia

Undergraduate programs

UTM Anthropology undergraduate students who wish to focus in forensic anthropology normally enrol in one of the following programs:

  • Specialist Program in Anthropology (Science) ERSPE0105
  • Major Program in Anthropology (Science) ERMAJ0105

Learn about Anthropology programs at UTM


Undergraduate courses

Most of our recommended upper-level courses for a focus in Forensic Anthropology are anthropology science credits.


Teaching and Research Specialties

At UTM, our faculty research interests in forensic anthropology include:

  • Forensic anthropology and crime scene technology in Canada
  • Application of next genome sequencing methods in Forensic Science in Canada and the United States