What is the first case ever (criminal) in which forensic anthropology played a role in solving?

Question

writing a report on how forensic anthropology has played a role/ has contributed in helping to solve cases.

Answer 1

My intro textbook (Silent Witness by Roxana Ferllini) has a case from 1849. The murder of Dr. George Parkman by (apparently) John W. Webster. Anatomist Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes examined the recovered remains and came to the conclusion that they were consistent with those of the missing doctor. There's a lot of controversy about the case because they didn't have the appropriate statistical knowledge of the human skeleton back then.

However the first case in which an anthropologist was called to testify was the murder of Louisa Luetgert in 1897. She was killed by her husband, Adolph Luetgert . Dr. George Dorsey examined fragmented skeletal remains and identified them as Louisa.

Hope that helps!!

Answer 2

I know it was 1923, but don't know the case or particulars.

Answer 3

Check out the book "Beyond the Bone Yard."  Its all about the history of forensic anthropology.