Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology is a specialised discipline that applies the methods of physical anthropology, particularly skeletal anatomy and osteology, to legal investigations. Its practitioners are called upon to identify human remains, estimate biological profiles including age, sex, and ancestry from skeletal evidence, detect signs of trauma and cause of death, and present their findings in legal and judicial contexts. It is a discipline that demands rigorous scientific training in human anatomy and bone biology alongside an understanding of the legal and investigative frameworks within which forensic evidence operates.

At the University of Dundee, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad and is one of the most highly regarded forensic anthropology degrees in the world. Dundee has exceptional expertise in forensic anatomy and has built an international reputation for its research and its contribution to real investigations, including work in post-conflict contexts and mass disaster response. You will develop in-depth training in anatomy, skeletal osteology, the study of decomposition, and forensic taphonomy, which is the analysis of how bodies and remains change after death, alongside the contextual and comparative knowledge to interpret skeletal evidence correctly.

The year abroad broadens your scientific perspective and often involves study in institutions with complementary forensic expertise.

This is a demanding and specialised programme suited to students with both a strong commitment to the subject and the scientific aptitude it requires.

Graduates move into careers in forensic investigation, working with police forces, the coronial system, international criminal tribunals, and humanitarian organisations involved in identifying victims of conflict and disaster. Some move into academic research and teaching, while others enter related fields in archaeology, biomedical science, or anatomical science. Postgraduate study is a common pathway, particularly for those aiming for research or specialist investigative roles.