What type of evidence is analyzed in forensic anthropology?

Forensic anthropology primarily involves the analysis of human skeletal remains. This discipline focuses on the identification of human bones, determining the age, sex, ancestry, and stature of individuals based on skeletal characteristics. Anthropologists also assess trauma and pathology evident in the bones, which can provide insights into the circumstances surrounding death.

The study of skeletal remains is crucial for cases involving unidentified bodies or remains found at crime scenes, as it helps law enforcement determine identity and contribute to the legal investigation. In contrast, the other types of evidence mentioned are analyzed within different forensic specialties: biological fluids are typically examined in forensic biology or toxicology, ballistic evidence is studied in forensic ballistics, and textual communications are assessed in digital forensics or communication analysis. Each of these fields has its techniques and protocols, which differ significantly from the methods employed in forensic anthropology.