REAL BONES: Adventures in Forensic Anthropology
- 4.8
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Approx. 12 hours to complete
Course Summary
Real Bones: Forensic Anthropology is a course that delves into the science behind identifying human remains. Through lectures, case studies, and hands-on activities, students will learn the techniques used by forensic anthropologists to determine age, sex, ancestry, and cause of death.Key Learning Points
- Learn how to analyze skeletal remains to identify the individual's age, sex, and ancestry
- Understand how forensic anthropologists determine the cause of death
- Explore real-life case studies and apply your knowledge to solve forensic mysteries
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the age, sex, and ancestry of skeletal remains
- Determine the cause of death using forensic anthropology techniques
- Apply your knowledge to solve real-life forensic mysteries
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of human anatomy
- Interest in forensic science
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Self-paced
- Online
- Video Lectures
- Hands-on Activities
Similar Courses
- Forensic Science: Fundamentals and Investigations
- Forensic Psychology: Witness Investigation
- Forensic Science and Criminal Justice
Related Education Paths
- Forensic Science Certification
- Crime Scene Investigation Certification
- Forensic Psychology Certification
Notable People in This Field
- Forensic Anthropologist and Author
- Forensic Scientist and Consultant
Related Books
Description
Forensic anthropology involves medico-legal cases where human remains have lost "personhood" (an individual cannot be identified due to decomposition or destruction of unique personal features). We will learn techniques that biological anthropologists apply to these cases to identify certain social attributes. We will also blend both biological and social anthropology to analyze human variation and well-being in urban settings.
Knowledge
- Articulate the phases of dental growth and development from childhood to adulthood
- Identify the phases of bone maturation over the life cycle
- Synthesize your understanding by applying techniques of measurement and analysis used in forensic cases to restore aspects of personhood
- Understand topics such as the limitations of forensic anthropology and the application of DNA recovery to skeletal/mummified remains
Outline
- Getting Started
- 1.1. Losing Personhood: MOVE. A Case Study
- 1.2. Restoring Personhood
- 1.3. Tools of the Trade
- 1.4. Compared to What? Introduction to Forensic Data
- Forensic Anthropologist at Work: Jane Weiss
- Welcome to the Course!
- What is Forensic Anthropology?
- Course Structure and Resources
- Personhood: Overview
- Week 1: Forensic Anthropologist at Work
- Week 1 Resources
- Week 1 Quiz
- Week 2: Bones and Teeth
- 2.1. Teeth | The Basics
- 2.2. How Teeth Grow and Develop
- 2.3. Bone | The Basics
- 2.4. How Bones Grow and Develop
- Forensic Anthropologist at Work: Matthew Olson
- Bones and Teeth: Overview
- Week 2: Forensic Anthropologist at Work
- Week 2 Readings
- Week 2 Quiz
- Week 3: Forensic Anthropology Tool Kit
- 3.1. Forensically Interesting?
- 3.2. Recovery Process and Case Studies
- 3.3. Morphological Sex
- 3.4. Aging & Comparative Standards
- Forensic Anthropologist at Work: Erin Spicola
- Forensic Anthropology Tool Kit: Overview
- Week 3: Forensic Anthropologist at Work
- Week 3 Resources
- Week 3 Quiz
- Week 4: Assessing Growth and Adulthood
- 4.1. What is a Growth Standard?
- 4.2. Stages of Growth
- 4.3. Dental and Hand/Wrist Standards
- 4.4. New Growth Standards?
- Assessing Growth and Adulthood: Overview
- Week 4 Readings
- Week 4 Quiz
- Week 5: Aging Teeth
- 5.1. Dental, Skeletal & Chronological Age
- 5.2. Assessment of Dental Age
- 5.3. Staging of Individual Teeth
- 5.4. Development of Standards | Moorrees Method
- Aging Teeth: Overview
- Week 5 Readings
- Week 5 Quiz
- Week 6: Growing Up and Growing Old
- 6.1. Applying Hand/Wrist X-ray Standards
- 6.2. Aging Adult Skulls
- 6.3. Aging Adult Pelvis and Teeth
- 6.4. Trauma and Markers of Occupational Stress
- Forensic Anthropologist at Work: Catarina Conran
- Growing Up and Growing Old: Overview
- Week 6: Forensic Anthropologist at Work
- Week 6 Readings
- Week 6 Quiz
Summary of User Reviews
Real Bones: Forensic Anthropology is a highly-rated course on Coursera that teaches students about the fascinating field of forensic anthropology. Students praise the course for its engaging content and knowledgeable instructors who make the subject matter easy to understand.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
The instructors are highly knowledgeable and make the subject matter easy to understand.Pros from User Reviews
- Engaging content that keeps students interested
- Instructors are highly knowledgeable and experienced in the field
- Course is well-structured and easy to follow
- Provides a comprehensive overview of forensic anthropology
- Excellent resources and materials are provided
Cons from User Reviews
- Some students found the quizzes to be too difficult
- Course may be too basic for those with advanced knowledge in the field
- No opportunities for interaction with other students
- Some technical issues with the online platform
- Course may be too time-consuming for some students
Janet Monge
4.8 Raiting
REAL BONES: Adventures in Forensic Anthropology
- 4.8
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Forensic anthropology involves medico-legal cases where human remains have lost "personhood" (an individual cannot be identified due to decomposition or destruction of unique personal features)....
