WU-FARU Forensic Anthropology Short Courses Summer 2021

The Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Recovery Unit (WU-FARU) and Dr. Alexandra Klales, D-ABFA (#123) are offering three Forensic Anthropology Summer Short Courses in 2021!

June 14 (live/synchronous online): Identifying Human vs. Non-Human Bone

This online, synchronous course is designed for law enforcement officers and crime scene investigators that often need to distinguish human from non-human bones. This one-day course will include live lectures/Q&A sessions with Dr. Klales, online laboratory practicals, and mini-quizzes that will demonstrate how to differentiate human skeletal remains from non-bone materials and from non-human bones. No prior knowledge of human osteology is required. Course requirements: 1) device (tablet, smartphone, computer, etc.) with reliable internet, microphone, and camera (only required for CE credits), 2) free Zoom account (available here: https://zoom.us/), and 3) valid email address to be added to the online course module hosted via the Washburn website (Brightspace Desire2Learn). This course has been previously approved for 6.5 hours of ABMDI and 7.5 hours of MO POST Continuing Education (CE) Hours- 2021 CE hours pending re-application approval*

June 21-25 (in person @ Washburn University in Topeka, KS): Human Osteology

The goal of this five-day short course is to familiarize students and professionals with the identification of human skeletal remains. Emphasis will be placed on identifying and siding fragmentary human bone, recognizing sub-adult remains, and understanding human skeletal anatomy. Participants will be introduced to normal human variation, as well as, taphonomic and pathological changes. The course involves extensive hands-on opportunities with real bone fragments, supplemented by detailed lectures, presentations, and actual forensic case studies. No osteological experience required. This course has been previously approved for 35 hours of ABMDI and 38.35 hours of MO POST Continuing Education (CE) Hours- 2021 CE hours pending re-application approval*

July 5-17 (asynchronous online): Human Skeletal Biology: Estimating the Biological Profile

The two-week asynchronous short course is designed to familiarize students and professionals with the current methods used to estimate the biological profile (age, sex, ancestry, stature) of unknown individuals from their skeleton. Participants will be introduced to the classic and newest morphological and metric methods of identification for each biological profile parameter. Some topics to be covered include osteometrics/digitizing, using and interpreting Fordisc, the Walker (2008) and Klales et al. (2012) sex methods, the Hartnett (2010) rib and pubis age methods, and newer programs like DSP, hefneR, Transition Analysis, and MorphoPASSE. The course involves asynchronous web-delivery of readings and lectures videos recorded by Dr. Klales. Online laboratory modules allow for practical application of the materials using 3D bone models, real forensic case photos, and simulations. Dr. Klales will be available via online chat or Zoom calls at pre-determined times for assistance throughout the course; however, the course is designed so that participants in any time-zone or region can complete the course at their own pace over the two-week offering. Course requirements: 1) device (tablet, smartphone, computer, etc.) with reliable internet, microphone, and camera (only required for CE credits), 2) free Zoom account (available here: https://zoom.us/), and 3) valid email address to be added to the online course module hosted via the Washburn website (Brightspace Desire2Learn). This course has been previously approved for 33 hours of ABMDI and MO POST Continuing Education Hours- 2021 CE hours pending re-application approval*

Visit the WU-FARU events page on Facebook or https://washburn.edu/wu-faru/wu-faru-courses.html for more information and to register!