Should I look into a career in forensic anthropology?

Question

I've always been interested in crimes and forensic science. I'm a very creative person and I love puzzles and science. I've also thought of looking into a career in law enforcement or maybe as a lawyer. I'm starting highschool and I want to prepare my college plans early.

Could anyone tell me more about forensic anthropology?

Answer 1

I think the best thing for you to do is for you to find some time to either get a job or volunteer in your forensics department.  See if you like the job environment.  A lot of jobs use the same kind of skills.  The one thing that makes each job different is the job environment.  Only then can you answer whether it's the right job for you.

Answer 2

A career in forensic anthropology is increasingly becoming more competitive, especially with the popular TV series such as CSI and Bones.  Forensic anthropology is within the context of the sub-discipline of biological, or physical anthropology, one of four sub-disciplines of anthropology.

I took two courses in forensic anthropology in my undergraduate studies, and basically forensic anthropologists are the specialists whom the police contact when the situation is beyond the expertise of the medical pathologist or medical examiner/coroner.  When the flesh is off the bone is when the forensic anthropologist steps in.  The forensic anthropologist

is an expert on the human skeleton, so he needs to be firstly and foremostly an expert in osteology, the study of human bones of the skeleton.  

Forensic anthropology seeks to utilize many different disciplines in its quest for identification of the deceased.  Basically, the forensic anthropologist  attempts to answer these questions about the deceased: age at death, s*x of the deceased, cause of death, and time since deatch.  Forensic anthropology is only concerned with cases that are 50 years old and less.  This is the time of medical and legal significance.  Beyond 50 years, and you have to turn to bioarcheology.

With lots of study and memorization, you can do it.  

But remember, you should go to the level of master's degree, that is where the real money in forensic anthropology begins.

If you have a squeamish stomach, forensic anthropology is not for you.