Anthropology Colloquium Fall Series with Dr. Ariel Guenthal-Rankin

October 9, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Mānoa Campus, Crawford Hall 115

Forensic anthropologists regularly consult with members of the medicolegal community for their casework. This practice is within the accepted scope of our profession and often goes uninterrogated. However, a growing number of forensic anthropologists are recognizing the need for collaboration beyond structures that can and do cause harm to our communities. This talk will explore the process of building research and applied networks among forensic anthropologists and more diverse community stakeholders. In diversifying our stakeholders, forensic practitioners may serve as a bridge between community members, organizers, and activists and the larger medicolegal system, while designing research that puts the needs of our communities first. Centering those often overlooked in our traditional practice of forensic anthropology can provide paths to reduce harm from structurally violent systems, improve outcomes for the identification of socially marginalized group members, and increase accountability within the medicolegal community. Dr. Ariel Guenthal-Rankin is a forensic anthropologist and bioarchaeologist who has worked for over 15 years on issues related to missing people, and recovery and identification of those who have died. She was trained by practitioners in the international human rights arena, and aims to bring this same level of humanitarian care to domestic forensic cases here in ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúÍøվʻi. She is particularly interested in experiences of women and others who are historically overlooked in the medicolegal system. She collaborates with community members and forensic experts to improve communication among stakeholders in forensic cases, and to improve the odds of identification and recovery of deceased loved ones. Above all, she believes that community issues, like missing and unidentified people, belongs in community hands and aims to act in support and service of that.


Event Sponsor
Anthropology, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Marti Kerton, 808-956-7153, anthprog@hawaii.edu, , Ariel Gruenthal-Rankin (PDF)

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