Taking the Pulse of Forensic Anthropology in Canada

• Published in: Journal - Canadian Society of Forensic Science Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 191 - 203
• Main Authors: Skinner, M.F., Clegg, L., Congram, D., Katzenberg, A., Lazenby, R.A., Mundorff, A., Peckmann, T., Spence, M., Stratton, S., Waterhouse, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01-01-2010
• DOI: 10.1080/00085030.2010.10768136
• EISSN: 2332-1660
• ISSN: 0008-5030

The current state of forensic anthropology is evaluated by a limited cross-section of active practitioners from across Canada. The number of specialists undertaking casework in this area of forensic science is growing, as are expectations of the quality of our work from death investigative agencies nationally. However, the majority of forensic anthropologists in Canada are university-based and inadequately supported by their administrative units in terms of secure lab facilities and finances. Federal and Provincial funding agencies that could support research in this field and assist with creating infrastructure to meet emerging expectations of standards of forensic practice are by and large not doing so. Across Canada, unevenness of standards of training, practice and support reflects a lack of appreciation of forensic anthropology by society as a whole, as well as by funding agencies and the legal community. It also reflects the willingness of individual forensic anthropologists to accept this neglect and under-valuation of their work, likely because of a professional commitment to the task which they accept as a social responsibility. It is recommended that a national consensus of standards of practice, facilities and training be achieved among forensic anthropologists so as to place pressure on federal funding agencies in Canada to support forensic anthropology adequately in the future.