Anthropology careers - written by Kristen Golmes

Forensic anthropology is a scientific discipline that mainly applies the methods of archaeology and physical anthropology to the collection and the analysis of the gathered legal evidence. The description and the identification of the skeletonized human remains are part of the standard work of any forensic anthropologists; however, their expertise may also be applied to other sorts of forensic problems.

Physical anthropology, often called biological anthropology, is the study of the physical development of the human body and the human species (especially compared with other primates). Physical anthropologists also try to trace the evolution of humans and other primates. Physical anthropologists, above all things, love bones! Bones are the most common form of fossil evidence, and are a great way for anthropologists to trace the development of our species over time.

Anthropology is a fascinating subject and in fact we were just discussing this the other evening here at the Online Think Tank. Do you ever wonder what the future folks will think of the debris we leave behind and wonder what we were all about in the present period? Sometimes it is amazing how Sci Fi picks up this theme and runs with it. Yes, as I said definitely out side of the box thinking.

One more remarkable tool is one that comes in workbook form and accompanies the What Color is Your Parachute and The Boxes of Life books by Richard Bolles. The workbooks (and books) have you take rigorous (but exciting, fun) quizzes that lead you to slowly but surely deduce or do a process of illimination experiment that assist you in finding the right career FOR YOU...not your Mom, your dead Grandfather, or the culture around you who has all kinds of opinions about who you are and who you should be but who does not pay your rent or feed your kids when push comes to shove. Nor are they the ones who need to live in your skin, sleep through the night, or answer to your higher needs and greater consciousness....

Anthropology is the study of the origin, development and functioning of human societies and cultures, as they currently exist or have existed in the past. Anthropologists are experts in this field of work. Anthropologists contribute significantly to the understanding of human society.

Call it an anthropological exploration of your tastes, passions and interests. I remember playing a number of games that reveal clues to my interests. As a young girl I would play library, taking the cards out of the front pockets of my library books, swiping them through the drawer in my dresser to check books out for people. I also created a cataloguing system where I recorded the books I read and my impressions of them. Here I find my love for reading and for sharing books with others. Here is the genesis of my Book Log. I also played restaurant, making menus and standing in front of my friends explaining the dishes on offer. Here I find my love for talking about and sharing food. As I grew older, I played choreographer. Alone at home after school, I would cue up a Moody Blues record at top volume and create elaborate and effusive dances.

Many people assume this field of science is only used for crime scenes. This field does not only focus on forensic science crime but a broader scheme as well. This field includes, but is not limited to, anthropology, chemistry, entomology, mathematics, odontology, reconstruction, technology, toxicology and latent print identification. This field may also include the field of nursing. All of these are needed by those people who have forensic science careers.

Psychological profilers are however, becoming more involved with investigations on a full-time basis. Technical analysts usually are attached with an investigative unit and generally work in a laboratory-like environment but respond similarly to crime scene personnel. If one is interested in psychological profiling, there are agencies hiring who actually want an investigator/crime scene analyst/psychologist. Thus, it leads to almost a double major in psychology and criminal justice and experience as an investigator. Although the academic part could be accomplished with a major in psychology and a minor in criminology, it would be better accomplished with a psychology undergraduate degree and a criminology master's with electives in psychology. Electives at the undergraduate level should include crime scene processing and crime detection and investigation course as these are not available at the graduate level. The criminology emphasis should ideally be in law enforcement and forensic science.