“Dr. Snow’s expertise in forensic anthropology resulted in positive identifications in all of our recovered remains cases.”
-Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr., Chief of Police, Athens-Clarke County (GA) Police Department
Human Remains Analysis & Recovery
Dr. Snow is an expert in body search and recovery. In his six years as the Forensic Anthropologist for the State of Georgia at Large, he has conducted more than 60 human remains recoveries.
These recoveries included surface scatters, clandestine graves, and the excavation of nine wells. He spent eight months in Bosnia recovering human remains from mass graves for the International Commission on Missing Persons and in Kosovo as an agent of the United Nations.
The Work Begins At The Scene
Although it is often believed that the work of the forensic anthropologist begins only after the remains are located, recovered, and brought to the lab for analysis, the work of the forensic anthropologist should begin at the scene.
Recovering human remains is something that few crime scene investigators do with regularity, and mistakes made during recovery can compromise an investigation before the remains ever leave the scene. In addition, Dr. Snow is trained in recovery techniques that are little known to most crime scene investigators.
Specializing in Identifying:
Skeletal remains
Through examining features like dental records, pathologies, and bone morphology, Dr. Snow is able to estimate the individual’s age, sex, ancestry, and stature.
Decomposed remains
Decomposition results in the breakdown of tissues and organs. This happens through bacterial activity, insect infestation, and other environmental factors, leading to varying degrees of tissue loss, discoloration, and skeletonization.
Mummified remains
Mummified remains consist of a body that has undergone natural or artificial preservation, resulting in the dehydration of tissues and organs. They often retain a significant amount of skin, muscle, and other soft tissues, which can provide valuable information for forensic analysis.
Burned remains
Burned human remains refer to the skeletal and/or soft tissue remnants of a body that has been exposed to high temperatures from fire or other sources of intense heat. The extent of burning can vary, ranging from superficial charring to complete calcination.
Incomplete remains
Incomplete remains refers to situations where not all parts of the skeleton are present or preserved. Despite this, Dr. Snow uses the available bones to construct a biological profile, and identify the individual.
Fragmentary remains
When skeletal remains are broken into small pieces or fragments, rather than being intact, they are called fragmentary remains.
Dismembered remains
A body with dismembered remains can be a result of criminal activity, accidents, or other traumatic events. It happens when the body has been deliberately separated into parts, usually through cutting or severing limbs, head, or other body sections.
Commingled remains
Commingled remains refers to a situation where the skeletal remains of multiple individuals are mixed together in a single context. This can occur due to mass disasters, mass graves, secondary burials, or other events where bodies are deposited in close proximity and become intermingled over time.