Forensic Anthropology and Crimes Involving Children

Most of the skeletons examined by forensic anthropologists are those of adults, partly because there are more adults than children and partly because adults are more frequently the victims of crimes and transportation accidents. Despite this, many children are the victims of crime and their skeletons are often examined by forensic anthropologists. Not infrequently, crimes are perpetrated by children, but it is the victim rather than the criminal who may come to the attention of the forensic anthropologist. The anthropologist generally deals with the identification of unknown remains, including those of children, and with indications of the circumstances at the time of death.