WU-FARU Forensic Anthropology Training Courses

The Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Recovery Unit offers specialized training courses specifically in forensic anthropology for professionals and students (18+ years). These courses range from one to five days and cover both the recovery/field component of the discipline, as well as, the laboratory components including human osteology, the biological profile, trauma/taphonomy, and pathology. Courses are taught by ABFA board-certified forensic anthropologist Dr. Alexandra R. Klales, D-ABFA (#123), with guest lectures from other prominent forensic and biological anthropologists. Continuing education credits (e.g., ABMDI or MO Post) are available for some courses (see below).

Courses can be customized and privately scheduled for groups of ten or more. All courses are taught on the Washburn University campus in the Washburn/Kansas Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Center Building (2001 SW Washburn Ave) in Topeka, KS unless otherwise specified below. See below for more information on getting to Topeka, our Frequently Asked Questions document, and sample course schedules. For more information, contact Amy Zook at (785) 670-2270 or email amy.zook@washburn.edu.

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Frequently Asked Questions
human bone fragment

Identifying Human vs. Non-Human Bone

August 2, 2024
$100
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central - Online synchronous delivery

Identifying Human vs. Non-Human Bone Sample Schedule

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 (note camera is only required for CE credits)
  2. free Zoom account
  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- 2024 CE hours pending re-application approval.

Register Here
bone fragment

Human Osteology

August 5-9, 2024
$650
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central in-person at Washburn in Topeka, KS

Human Osteology Sample Schedule

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- 2024 CE hours pending re-application approval.

Register Here
strings divide an area into a square grid

Human Skeletal Biology: Estimating the Biological Profile

August 5-17, 2024
$450
Asynchronous online delivery

Human Skeletal Biology Sample Schedule

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. Participants must complete all of the modules, labs, and quizzes to get credit for the course.

Course requirements:

  1. device (tablet, smartphone, computer, etc.) with reliable internet, microphone, and camera (note camera is only required for CE credits)
  2. free Zoom account
  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- 2024 CE hours pending re-application approval.

Register Here