Forensic anthropology is the application of anthropological knowledge, particularly physical anthropology, to medico-legal investigations. Its primary role is to assist law enforcement and medical examiners in identifying human remains and analyzing trauma in cases of death, especially when the remains are skeletonized, decomposed, or otherwise unidentifiable by conventional means.

Forensic anthropologists typically focus on several key areas: Biological Profile Estimation, which involves determining the age at death, sex, ancestry, and stature from skeletal remains. They also conduct Trauma Analysis, identifying perimortem (at or around the time of death) injuries, distinguishing them from postmortem damage, and inferring the type of weapon or force used. Additionally, they can assist in estimating the Postmortem Interval (time since death) and identifying Individualizing Characteristics such as old fractures, surgical implants, or unique dental features. Forensic anthropologists often work at crime scenes, employing archaeological techniques to properly recover remains and associated evidence. Their expertise provides crucial information for identifying victims, reconstructing events surrounding death, and contributing to criminal investigations and humanitarian efforts, such as identifying victims of mass disasters or human rights abuses.