Forensic Anthropologists are NOT Medical Examiners

Posted on 30 Sep 2017 @ 3:04am by Petra Varelli Ph.D.

453 words; about a 2 minute read

Start log.

I've always wondered what it would be like to be a teacher. Marisa was, and seemed to enjoy it a lot. Or she says she did. So, when I was asked to keep an eye on a professor of archaeology at Starfleet Academy while I waited for a new assignment, I thought, why not. It sounded like fun. I have been on a few sites in my time. Fieldwork is generally boring, but every now and then you find something cool.

I guess I thought teaching would be much the same. A lot of prodding through the minds of students with an occasional gem who really wants to learn. And it is. Mostly.

I mean, the students all know what archaeology is. Or the basics, anyway. By the time I get them, they've already decided to be science officers, so I get to give them a good solid idea of what you really do after you graduate. There are some summer work programs they can take if they're really interested. I didn't sign up to lead one of them. Not my style. Give me a lab any day. I can spend hours finding out how someone died by examining the skeletal remains. Hey, maybe I might find someone with the same passion. At least that's what I thought. So far, no diamonds in the rough. Just a lot of rough.

Speaking of labs, I got to teach a class on forensic anthropology, as that's my specialty and the professor hasn't a clue what it's really about. So, I thought it would be great to actually SHOW the students what is involved. It's a two-hour class. I can do a basic exam in that time, right? I thought it would be a lot of fun for me and for them.

You know what I found out? While the students have a good idea of what an archaeologist and anthropologist are, they have no idea what forensic anthropology is. They think it's a medical examiner. Seriously? An ME? They asked why the rest of the body was gone, why I hadn't run any tests on the blood or tissue. They wanted to see an autopsy, for crying out loud. When I told them I only work with bones, they were bored. Bored! Half the class actually walked out. They wanted to see me carve up a real body. Why didn't they choose medicine if they wanted to carve up bodies?

Yeah, I went out and got drunk after that class. Tomorrow, I'm going to give them a test on what they were supposed to learn. Man, I can hardly wait to get out of the classroom and back in the field.

End log.

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