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Anthropology has been a vital component in the investigation of genocides and homicides. Forensic archeologist and anthropologists excavate human remains and identify skeletal remnants, to discover information on how each individual died. Through this, they are able to flexure out what had occurred In the death and why It happened. In one case In particular, known as the John McRae case, we can observe how the forensic recovery of human remains brought a severe murder theistic (Statesman 2003).
Also, it brings to light the “disappeared individuals” around the world that mysteriously died in Argentina that later was found out to be genocide through the Information of forensic anthropology (Kirsches & Hannibal 1994). In the criminal case of John McRae, McRae was convicted of first-degree murder of a fifteen- year-old boy, named Randy Loafer found through forensic archaeology and anthropology. At first, Randy Loafer disappeared and it was perceived as a case of a runaway teenager.
A few years later, a neighbor who wanted to use the land as a pasture for horses purchased the McRae property. While excavating the land, the missing child Randy Loafer’s bones were uncovered (Statesman 2003). Immediately anthropologists came to investigate the remains and found skeletal evidence of a violent murder. The archaeologists excavate and expose the burial while the anthropologists classify the remains. Forensic anthropologists start by reporting positive identification of the biological profile, and when applicable they present the circumstances or manner of death (Statesman 2003).
The anthropologists first saw dismemberment and mutilation of the bones, with cut marks along his clavicle and umbra regions, and worst of all the sacrum area (Statesman 2003). Examining this helped them identify how he died and the murderer’s intentions. This depicted that Massacre’s efforts were of “sexual sadism” (Statesman 2003). “The forensic evidence developed by both the forensic anthropological and archaeological was Important for testimony’ (Statesman 2003:125). The testimony found McRae guilty and sentenced him to life in prison for first-degree murder.
This prosecution case was made possible by the uncovering work of anthropologist finding the cut marks on the bones and evaluating it through their scientific methods. The application of forensic anthropology to crime scene Investigations Is used to recover what happened to an individual and to find who perpetrated the crime (Dupers & School 2006). Forensic anthropology helped bring a homicide murderer case to Justice, preventing this murderer from ever harming another person again.
Another occurrence where forensic anthropology was applied In order to bring Justice was in the mysterious disappearance of Individuals In Argentina that was later found out to be due to genocide by the government (Payne-James et al. 2003). Genocide is defined as an act OFF Hannibal 1994). After establishing a military government in 1983 in Argentina, a case of almost 9,000 people were missing. After two years of military rule, in 1985 forensic scientists were sent to research the suspected unidentified graves of the missing people (Kirsches and Hannibal 1994).
They determine the manner in which these groups of people died through the excavations of mass graves. When it is shown to be a mass murder, this exposes the massacres to the world and stipulates an international standard that will prevent these slaughters in the future (Hoagland et al. 2001). Many countries deny of torture, but human rights groups have documented evidence of sufferings of military attacks such as the one seen in Argentina.
By sending in the forensic anthropologist they can help “by returning the remains of disappeared to their loved ones, and assist the grieving process of families who have lived years with uncertainties” (Kirsches and Hannibal 1994:9). Forensic anthropologists unearth human rights violations as shown in Argentina through these mass graves. Forensic anthropology and archaeology has contributed in uncovering many investigations of homicides and genocides. Through the processes each of these fields takes, we can discover evidence and to prove for cases that have happened in the past.
The knowledge that an anthropologist brings of field and lab methods can help the general public and courts understand the circumstances and what happened better. Forensic anthropologists better life because they collect physical evidence that can bring accountability to bring others to Justice, identify victims so that the remains can be returned to relatives, and expose the genocides and homicides to the world in attempt to deter these brutalities in the future.