Forensic Anthropology Certification

Most professional disciplines, including those that deal with evidence, crime scene investigation, and the human body, have certification boards to ensure that each practitioner meets and maintains certain standards in his respective field. For example, when we go to the doctor, we feel reassured when we look at the professional certificates and degrees hanging on the office wall. There's the American Board of Surgeons for many physicians and the American Board of Forensic Odontology for dentists. For those of us who deal with human remains for the police, medical examiners, and the FBI, there's the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. Anyone who wants to sit for the board of examination in forensic anthropology must have a Ph.D. in physical anthropology (the study of bones), and three years' experience with skeletal cases performed for law enforcement agencies. Best of all, there is a four-hour written test and a four-hour practical (hands-on) qualifying examination.

Robert Mann, Ph.D., Forensic Detective, 2006