A forensic investigation requires a team of specialists from many different scientific fields of study along with legal and law enforcement specialists. This book provides these professionals with guidelines for determining how to choose and when to use a forensic anthropologist.

This second edition of a bestseller is both an introductory text in forensic anthropology and a practical and concise reference for forensic scientists and law enforcement professionals. The text follows a unique format, utilizing ten key questions that should be asked whenever bone fragments are found at a scene to determine whether the services of a forensic anthropology expert are warranted. This edition contains new chapters on bone chemistry, DNA and mtDNA and the effect of this evidence on juries, radio carbon dating, and an overview of forensic botany and entomology as part of the anthropological picture.