Forensic Anthropology at California State University, Chico


Description of the Program:


 The Faculty and Staff:


 For Recovery:


 Academic Offerings:


 Certificate in Forensic Identification:


 The Facilities:

  

Description of the Forensic Program:

The focus of the program in forensic anthropology is to apply skeletal and biological principles and techniques to the identification of skeletal and badly decomposed human remains. While the Forensic Identification Certificate is to prepare undergraduates for introductory level positions in forensic science, similar preparation is offered at the graduate Masters Degree level.

The arrival of Dr. Turhon Murad in 1972 at CSU, Chico saw the development of the academic and applied service of forensic anthropology in northern California. The service was enhanced by the addition of Dr. P. Willey in 1989, and assured of continuing with the arrival of Dr. Eric Bartelink in 2006. Both Drs. Willey and Murad are Fellows of the American Academy of Forensic Science and Diplomates of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology while Dr. Bartelink is a Member of the AAFS. Together Drs. Bartelink, Murad, and Willey represent over 90 years of experience in general physical anthropology and human skeletal biology. Additionally, they permit CSU, Chico to be listed as the only universities with three practicing forensic anthropologists and one of few universities that supports two forensic anthropologists that are ABFA certified. By offering its identification services for over thirty -five years, the Physical Anthropology Human Identification Laboratory (PAHIL) has proven to be valuable throughout northern California and to the neighboring states of Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The forensic anthropology faculty, staff, and students at CSU, Chico have played an important role in assisting various county sheriffs and coroners, district attorneys, and local police departments, as well as the California Department of Justice and the Nevada Division of Investigation. It has played an important role in identifying fire victims from throughout the University's service area and beyond.

The PAHIL receives approximately thirty-five to fifty requests per year to assist in scene recovery, exhumation, pathological consultation, and trauma analysis. Additionally, those of the PAHIL are requested approximately eight times a year to participate in offering investigative courses for California's Peace Officers Standards in Training (POST) through the California Department of Justice, the FBI Academy, and the David Grant Hospital at Travis Air Force Base. While both Drs. Murad and Willey have served as consultants for the US Defense Department, JPAC-Identification Laboratory in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Bartelink has consulted for the UN in Bosnia, and with Kenyon International, Inc. at the World Trade Center following 911.

The Anthropology Department's affiliation with the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Criminal Justice and others at California State University permit it to offer an enhanced undergraduate Certificate in Forensic Identification. Furthermore, its relationship with a growing number of county and state agencies permits undergraduate and graduate students to work as interns. Master's students are expected to become involved in research and gain teaching expertise in medicolegal and general forensic investigation.


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The Anthropology Faculty and Staff:

Forensic Anthropologists:

Eric Bartelink, Ph.D.: Texas A & M University (2006)

A physical/biological anthropologist with research interest in human skeletal biology, California bioarchaeology, and isotope analysis of bone to suggest the diet of past populations. He gained orthopedic x-ray experience at Stanford Hospital and consulted for sheriff/coroners from throughout northern California as a forensic anthropologist, as well as in Bosnia for the United Nations, and for Kenyon International, Inc. at the New York City Medical Examiner's Office following 911. He teaches various courses in physical anthropology in addition to quantitative methods. Moreover, he has assisted in teaching recovery classes for the California DOJ and the Criminal Justice program at SUNY, Canton. He is a Member of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Turhon A. Murad, Ph.D., DABFA: Indiana University (1975)

A physical/biological anthropologist with academic interests in skeletal biology, human evolution, and dermatoglyphics. He is a Full Member of the American Association of Physical Anthropology and Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Additionally, he has been certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. He served as officer of the ABFA for four years and is presently a Board Member. He is Consultant to the Nevada Division of Investigation in Carson City, NV and a Member of DMORT District IX. He is Chair of the Anthropology Department and Coordinator of the Certificate in Forensic Identification. In addition to general physical anthropology Prof. Murad teaches classes which survey the forensic sciences, and specialty laboratory and skeletal biology courses. Furthermore, he teaches for the California DOJ where he introduces police officers to forensic anthropology. Since 1992 he has participated in offering recovery courses at Davis, Fairfield, and Sacramento, as well as at Quantico, VA.

P. Willey, Ph.D., DABFA: University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1982)

A physical/biological anthropologist with academic and research interests in skeletal biology, and anatomy. In addition to teaching introductory physical anthropology, Prof. Willey teaches a wide variety of upper division courses in physical anthropology as well as forensic anthropology. He is a Full Member of the American Association of Physical Anthropology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. He is a past Officer of the ABFA and is currently a consultant to JAPAC, the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii. He has recently returned from two months in Iraq where he assisted in documenting evidence of genocide.

Archaeologists:

Frank Bayham, Ph.D.: Arizona State University (1982)

An archaeologist with academic and research interest in the Southwest, the Great Basin, and Northern California. Additionally, he has taphonomic and zoo-archaeological expertise. He teaches a variety of archaeology courses including those that address field and laboratory methods, zoo-archaeology, taphonomy, and archaeological theory.

Georgia Fox, Ph.D.: Texas A & M University (1998)

An archaeologist presently serving as co-director of the Anthropology Museum. She has extensive professional experience in underwater recovery and the curation of artifacts. She teaches a variety of archaeology and museum courses including those that address field and preservation methods.

Antoinette Martinez, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley (1998)

An archaeologist with academic and research interests in the historic archaeology of northern California's coast and taphonomy Prof. Martinez teaches a variety of archaeology courses including those in aerial programs, field methods, and theory.

Adjunct Faculty:

Christopher O'Brien, Ph.D. Univ. of Wisconsin (1994)

An archaeologist with academic and research interests in African prehistory, the Great Basin, and Northern California. Dr. O'Brien is an Archeologist with the Lassen National Forest and an occasional instructor at CSU, Chico. His research interests are the African Paleolithic and the incremental analysis of micro-wear on mammalian dentition. The latter assists in reconstructing paleoenvironments and subsistence strategies.

Staff:

Kevin Dalton, BA, CSU, Chico (2003)

Archaeology Laboratory Technician with academic interest in northern California prehistory. He is a past CSUC-HIL Laboratory Technician has assisted the FBI, in addition to a large number of northern California county sheriffs/coroners. He has excavated numerous human remains, oversees interns.


Shannon Dammon, BA. CSU, Chico (2007),

Physical Anthropology Human Identification Laboratory (PAHIL) Technician. She coordinates student interns in the PAHIL, assists in instructing undergraduates, and oversees the work of forensic certificate interns.

Recovery Team:

To arrange for recovery assistance please call (530) 898-4092 to speak to the PAHIL Technician, or (530) 898-5492 to speak to Turhon Murad.


Melanie Beasley, BS (2003) UC, Davis.

Former intern at the Yolo County Coroner's Office, Melanie is a MA student at Chico. She has worked to recover human remains throughout northern California, but additionally in Peru, and China. She teaches lab classes and assists in the field recovery classes.

Brenna Blanchard BA ( ) CSU, Humboldt

Carrie Brown, BA ( )

Cristin Chelotti, BA ( ) CSU Stanislaus

Alli Bouwman BA (2004) Trinity Univ, TX.

Ms. Bouwman is a MA student. Her archaeological experience has been in Texas, where she assisted in recovery and the analysis of human remains.

Jessica Dimka, BA (2004) Univ. Wisconsin.

Ms. Dimka is a MA student. Her archaeological experience has been in the midwest, and has assisted in both the recovery and the analysis of human remains.

Kyle McCormick, BA (2004) Michigan State.

Mr. McCormick is a MA student. He has visited Scotland Yard and has assisted at both recoveries and the analysis of human remains.

Kendall McGowen, BA (2004) Univ. of New Mexico.

Ms. McGowen is a MA student and laboratory instructor. Her archaeological experience has been in the Southwest, and she has both recovered, and analyzed human remains.

Karen Smith Gardner, BA ( )



Alumni:


Jack Broughton, MA (1988) CSU, Chico, PhD (1995) UW, Seattle. Assoc. Prof. of Anthropology at the Univ. of Utah with research interest in zooarchaeology, evolutionary ecology, paleozoogeograph and western North America.

Erica Cooper, BA (2002) Washington State Univ. Seattle, WA. In addition to being a previous laboratory instructor, Ms. Cooper worked to recover human and non-human remains for various local county authorities, as well as for Kenyon International, Inc. in New Orleans.

Kevin Dalton, BA (2003) CSU, Chico. Mr. Dalton has assisted various investigative agencies including the California DOJ and FBI and presently works as an osteoarchaeologist for US Forest Service.

Ben Figura, MA (2004) CSU, Chico, PhD student SUNY, Binghamton. Ben assisted Kenyon International at the NYCME on its WTC project.

Jennifer Halpain, MA (2007) CSU, Chico. Ms. Halpain has assisted a number of law inforcement agencies and is presently working for the Organ Donation Program at the Univ. of New Mexico.

Lori Hager, MA (1978) CSU, Chico, PhD (1985) UC, Berkeley. Lori is an independent researcher/instructor in physical anthropology and archeo-osteology in San Francisco.

Gina Hart, MA (2001) CSU, Chico. As a graduate student Gina worked two summers for the UN in Bosnia a nd is presently the Forensic Anthropologist for the Regional Medical Examiner's Office, Newark, NJ.

Renee Kosalka, MA (2006) CSU, Chico. Renee has assisted the RCMP in British Columbia, Canada, as a morgue technician in Phuket, Thailand, and is presently a forensic anthropologist/archaeologist fo the ICMP in the former Yugoslavia.

Mitchell Keur, MA (2005) CSU, Chico. Mitch presently works for Statistical Research Inc. as an osteo/archaeologist in Tuson, AZ.

Tamara Leher, MA (2007) CSU, Chico. Ms. Leher presently an osteo/archaeologist in Tucson. AZ for Statistical Research Inc., Woodland, CA.

Teressa Guiol, BA (2003) UC, Davis. Has completed the course work for her MA and is working for the Yolo County Coroner's Office, Woodland, CA.

Dennis Mertz, MA (1982) CSU, Chico. Dennis is a Quality Control Expert for Becton Dickinson and Company, Baltimore MD.

Rebecca O'Flaherty, MA (2000) CSU, Chico. PhD (cand) UC, Davis. Rebecca is a Forensic Entomologist, working at UC, Davis' Willed Donated Body Program in the Sacramnto County Coroner's Office, and teaches part time for the California DOJ.

Carolyn Orbann, MA (2006) CSU, Chico. Carolyn is presently in the Ph.D. program at the Univ. of Missouri.

Mike Pilakowski, MA (2000) CSU, Chico. Mike is presently a faculty member at Gridley High School, Gridley, CA.

Mangan Pulford, BA (2003) Montana state Univ. Ms. Pulford is a MA student. She ispresently an Anantomy Instructor in the Nursing School at the College of St. Catherine, St.Paul/Minneapolis, MN.

Traci VanDeest, MA (2007) CSU. Chico. Traci has begun the PhD program in Physical Anthropology at the Univ. of New Mexico.

Bruce Weldon, MA (1990) CSU, Chico. Bruce is an Administrative Assistant with the American Automobile Association, Chico, CA.

Jason Wiersema, MA (2001) CSU, Chico, PhD (2006) Texas A&M. Jason is a Forensic Anthropologist for the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office, Houston, TX.

Amy Zelson-Mundorff, MA (1999) CSU, Chico, PhD (cand.) Simon Fraser University. Amy is the former forensic anthropologist with the New York City Medical Examiner's Office.


The People:

 
Those of PAHIL that attended the 2006 AAFS meetings: P.Willey, E.Bartelink, G.Hart, A.Mundorff, J.Wiersema, T.VanDeest,
J.Halpain B.Figura, J.Raab, A.Bouwman, K.McGowen, E.Cooper, J.Dimka, K.McCormick, M.Beasley, M.Pulford, and T.Murad

.


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Academic Offerings:

ANTH 111: Survey of Physical Anthropology 3.0 units Fall

The qualities of being human are examined through the investigation of evolutionary principles, non-human primates, human fossil record, and living peoples. The biological origin, evolution and variation of humankind is explored. Lower division General Education Breadth Area B2 Natural Sciences-Life Forms. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory. This is approved General Education course

ANTH 300: Principles of Physical Anthropology 3.0 units Fall

The quality of "Humanness" explored through the investigation of the non-human primates, and hominid fossils. Humanity's present and potential future place in nature is addressed by integrating biological, historical, and ecological considerations.

ANTH 301: Physical Anthropology 4.0 units Fall

Biological evolution and variation in humans, mankind's place in nature, origin, and antiquity as represented in the fossil record; recent studies of non-human primates; the beginnings of culture. 3.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

ANTH 311: Survey of Forensic Science 3.0 units Fa/Spr

A survey of the relationship between science and society by noting the history and nature of the role of the expert witness and the forensic scientist in aiding to resolve various legal issues.

ANTH 380: Field Archaeology 4.0 units Evn Sprg

Archaeological survey and excavation; research aims and strategies; archaeological mapping, photography, and recording. 1.0 hour lecture, 9.0 hours supervision.

ANTH 411: Human Origins 3.0 Units Inquire

Evolution of the human being as a biological entity and as a culture-bearing primate. Emphasis is placed upon ecological principles and problems as they relate to the fossil record.

ANTH 412: Human Variation 3.0 Units Inquire

The nature of human biological variation and an examination of its genetic and cultural basis.

ANTH 413: Primate Evolution and Behavior 3.0 Units Inquire

Description of the non-human primates, their biological evolution, their fossil record, and their behavior in both the natural and laboratory setting; special reference is made to the contribution of primatology to the study of humans.

ANTH 414: Growth and Development: From Conception to Death 3.0 Units Inquire

The individual from prenatal period through growth and sexual maturation to old age and death. Special emphasis upon the cross-cultural and holistic approaches to the study of people and their role in human evolution.

ANTH 415: Forensic Anthropology 3.0 Units Inquire

Prerequisites: ANTH 011, or 100, or 101, or 111. Anthropological principles and knowledge applied within the legal system. Topics include the history of the field, biological parameters determined from the skeleton, postmortem interval, and ethics.

ANTH 480: Advanced Field Archaeology 4.0 units Evn Sprg

Prerequisites: ANTH 380. Advanced individual training in archaeological fieldwork, including organization of projects, supervision of field crews, use of specialized field techniques, and preliminary analysis of field data. 1.0 hour lecture, 9.0 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.>

ANTH 481: Human Identification 3.0 units Sprg

Prerequisites: ANTH 301 or faculty permission. Physical Anthropological methods and techniques, such as anthropometry, dermatoglyphics, osteology, and paleopathology as applied to problems of human identification. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

ANTH 482: Laboratory Methods in Archaeology 3.0 units Evn Fall

Independent supervised training in the methods of data description, interpretation, and presentation. Methods of describing, classifying, analyzing, and illustrating archaeological finds, and the preparation of reports for publications. 6.0 hours activity.

ANTH 484: Archaeological Site Surveying 3.0 units Odd Sprg

Methods and techniques of locating archaeological and historical cultural resources in the field. Proper site recordation by means of photographs, drawings, maps, and appropriately filled-out site survey forms for cultural resource management purposes. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 489D: Internship in Forensic Science 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ANTH 311 and the consent of the certificate coordinator. This course is offered to provide work/internship experience in an area of forensic science in the community or region. An internship is appropriately designed to meet each student's interest.

ANTH 498C: Interdisciplinary Field School in Zooarchaeology and Field Ecology 3.0 units ANTH & 3.0 units BIOL Sum

A 3-week long field school offered at the confluence of the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade mountain ranges and the western Great Basin. Zooarchaeology for advanced undergraduates and graduate students interested in either archaeology or animal ecology is addressed. Laboratory sessions on generalized fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal osteology are offered. Students become competent in vertebrate identification and develop an appreciation for the potential information that may be derived from the study of archaeofaunal remains.

ANTH 601: Seminar in Physical Anthropology 3.0 Fall

A critical examination of selected theories and methods in physical anthropology, and/or the generation of new theories and methods pertinent to selected problems in physical anthropology. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.


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The Facilities:


The facilities of the Anthropology Department which provide forensic assistance include: the Physical Anthropology Human Identification Laboratory (PAHIL), and both the Archaeology and Zooarchaeology Laboratories, as well as an Dental Increment/Archaeometric Laboratory.

* PAHIL

  The PAHIL facility is on the ground floor of Plumas Hall, Plumas 115. The lab possesses nearly 2500 sq. feet with an ante-room, sink and administrative office. There are three networked computer stations and both a photography and microscope station. The autopsy room possesses a standard autopsy sink and table along with a three-body mobile morgue and two fume hoods. The lab supports a library, an active dermestid beetle colony, along with various osteological instruments and equipment. There is an adjacent Dental Increment Laboratory with microtome, embedding equipment and both histological light and oil-emersion microscopes available. A 200 square foot secure evidence room is attached to the lab which contains a Hewlett Packard Faxitron x-ray cabinet, developing system, and an additional sink. Extensively used is a shelf-lined 500 square foot storage room where resolved case materials are curated.

* Archaeology Laboratory

  The lab is located in Plumas 119 beside the PAHIL. The Archaeology Laboratory comprises approximately 3000 square feet and supports the on-going archaeological research and field methods classes offered by the Anthropology Department. The lab possess seven student computer work stations, in addition to large storage areas. It supports a working obsidian hydration laboratory used to locate the geographic source of artifacts made from obsidian. Moreover, it contains all the GPS and related survey and excavation equipment necessary for excavation and recovery work.

* Zooarchaeology Laboratory

  The lab is adjacent to the PAHIL in Plumas 117 and the two labs share a common door. The lab possess approximately 800 square feet and contains approximately 1,600 skeletons of nearly 700 different species of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Most of the faunal skeletal collection represents indigenous northern California species although more recently a number of African species have arrived for analysis. In addition to being an important archaeological resource, the zooarch lab has been extremely valuable for its role in identifying non-human skeletal remains believed to be of forensic significance.

* Dental Increment/Archaeometric Laboratory

  The lab possesses a vacuum oven and embedding equipment for fine incremental analysis. It supports research of minutia such as histological variation in tissues including human and non-human bone, the thickness of mammalian dental enamel, the extent of sexual dimorphism in fingerprint ridge breadth, as well as the degree of wear on stone tools.

* The State of California Northeast Information Center

or NEIC for Archaeological Information is located at the edge of both the campus and downtown Chico; it is across the street from the historic Bidwell Mansion. The Information Center retains the records for all the documented archaeology sites in northeastern California and acts a clearinghouse for all the cultural resource management work done throughout the region.


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To offer suggestions on this web site
(http://www.csuchico.edu/anth/PAHIL/)
please contact the PAHIL Webmaster.
Call T. Murad at (530) 898-4300 or send a
FAX to (530) 898-6143.
Copyright © 1997 Turhon A. Murad

Anthropology Department
California State University, Chico
Created: 7/27/97
Last Revised: 9/13/07 by T. A. Murad