If you have been watching a lot of those detective movies and TV shows, then you can be sure that you have your facts and fiction all mixed up. After all, what makes those TV series so compelling and even addicting is not because it is all about imagination but because it is so creative. We find ourselves hooked and watching it every week because there is a tinge of truth to it and we all know that. Hence, we find ourselves very interested in the characters, the things that they do and the jobs that they perform. However, if you want to pursue a career in forensic anthropology, then it is not enough that you base your interest in the things that you learned and noticed on TV. You need to know what Hollywood is and what the truth is in fact. Hence, to help you in making the distinction, here are the truths and myths about forensic anthropology.
Truth: Forensic anthropologists spend most of their time in the laboratory. This is true. Their offices are indeed in the laboratory where all the equipment is and where they can conduct tests and focus on their work. Due to the nature of their job, it is very important for him to work in a controlled environment. That is exactly what the laboratory offers. In a lab, they can study the human remains using all the tools that they need and without distraction from other people.
Myth: Some people just have a “knack” for being a forensic anthropologist. There is nothing further from the truth. When we watch TV, we see our favorite hero and heroine just doing their work and it almost seems as if their gut feel takes them right to the scene of the crime. Hence, they are able to see even the smallest detail in the crime scene and able to solve the mystery within 24 hours. Perhaps that is the reason why people like to watch those crime TV shows too much. There is a conclusion to everything within a limited time span. That of course does not happen in real life. In fact, being a one takes years and years of study. Often times, those who are aspiring to have a career in the field end up studying for over a decade before they are finally worthy of being called a “forensic anthropologist”.
Truth: The job of a forensic anthropologist is to help detectives get to the bottom of the crime. That is true. A forensic anthropologist offers invaluable information that detectives will otherwise never have access to, and all thanks to their expertise and years of study.
Myth: Forensic anthropologists act as detectives. That is false. Although it is their job to aid detectives, it is not their duty to put all the pieces of the puzzle together in order to solve the crime. In fact, they are not often needed in the crime scene. Their place is in the laboratory.
