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The Development of Professional Standards in Forensic Anthropology
Eric J Bartelink1, Nicholas V Passalacqua2, Wendy E P McQuade3
1Anthropology Department, California State University, Chico, Chico, California, USA.
American Journal of Biological Anthropology
|August 29, 2025
Summary
Forensic anthropology has professionalized through developing national standards and best practices. This ensures practitioners meet minimum requirements for reliable and consistent casework within the medicolegal system.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Anthropology
- Forensic Science Standards Development
Background:
- Forensic anthropology has matured into a specialized discipline over 50 years.
- Practitioners require proper education, training, and adherence to standards due to legal implications of casework.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the development of professional standards in U.S. forensic anthropology.
- To review key milestones in the discipline's professionalization and standardization.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of professionalization milestones.
- Discussion of key organizations involved in standards development, including AAFS, ABFA, SWGFAST, and OSAC.
- Examination of the role of the AAFS Academy Standards Board in publishing national standards.
Main Results:
- Key milestones include development within the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and board certification by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA).
- Organizations like the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Anthropology (SWGFAST) and the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) are crucial for standards drafting.
- The AAFS Academy Standards Board plays a critical role in developing and publishing consensus-based national standards.
Conclusions:
- The development of national standards enhances the professionalization of forensic anthropology.
- Standards aim to ensure practitioners meet minimum requirements, improving reliability, consistency, and transparency in casework.
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