See our list below of projects that students can assist in at the Biological Anthropology Laboratory
Students at the Biological Anthropology Laboratory take part in the inventory of human skeletal remains. This entails laying out the material in anatomical position and recording its completness in a standardized format specific to the lab. Additionally, the condition of the remains are also recorded such as the color, presence of anaomolies, fractures, breaks, ect.
Students at the Biological Anthropology Laboratory assist in the creation of biological profiles which includes the estimation of sex, age, group affiliation, stature, skeletal variation, trauma, and pathology for remains that have been donated or are on loan from various agencies. This profile can be used in a number of different contexts. In forensics, it can be used to positevely identify an unknown individual. In archaeology, it can be used to identify patterns of stress related conditions, migration patterns, population history, or relatedness among groups.
Beyond the standard inventory and biological profile projects, students can also partake in projects such as the repatriation process of NAGPRA related materials, assisting in forensic cases for local law enforcement agencies, curating radiographic material, and other specialized projects.
For more information, please contact the Lab Director or Department Chair.
The Biological Anthropology Laboratory provides access to mulitple resources. See our list below.
The Biological Anthropology Laboratory hosts a variety of collections.
*Government: material belonging to the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Available for research under special arrangements. (WSU-BAL recognized as official government repository)
*Forensic: material that is donated or under temporary housing from local or regional law enforcement agencies and is no longer of active status. Not available for research.
*Cadaver: donated individuals from their families via KU Medical School. Primary collection used for student research.
*Faunal: variety of animal specimens ranging from mammalian, avian, reptilian, and fish species. Available for research in comparative anatomy.
*Educational: comprised of several full adult skeletons, a large number of partial skeletons, and miscellaneous fragments. Available for analysis or osteological studies.
*Archaeological: material donated by private property owners and found in an archaeological context. Not available for research.
The Biological Anthropology Laboratory has access to a variety of equipment.
*Laboratory: Fume hood, photo station, digital compound microscope, cleaning station
*Metric analyses: Osteometric boards, sliding calipers, spreading calipers, microscribe digitizer
The Biological Anthropology Laboratory is currently located in Neff Hall Room 219 on the Wichita State University campus. The Lab provides office and research space for associated graduate students and research partners, which includes large communal work tops, collection access, and internet access.