Forensic Anthropology Center Faculty

Dr. William M. Bass, DABFA

Founder of the Forensic Anthropology Center, Professor Emeritus. Dr. Bass is involved in research related to determining the length of time since death. He serves as the Tennessee State Forensic Anthropologist and is active in consultations and lectures across the country.

Dr. Richard L. Jantz

Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center, Professor. Dr. Jantz conducts research in the areas of human variation, skeletal biology and forensic anthropology. He is primarily concerned with developing computerized data bases in these areas which can be used to address a variety of research questions. Inquiries regarding custom discriminant functions can be directed by email to Dr. Jantz. Email: rjantz@utk.edu

Dr. Murray K. Marks, DABFA

Associate Professor. Dr. Marks conducts skeletal and dental biology research in forensic anthropology. Projects involve computational computer-graphic methods in facial approximation, human decomposition standards, and stillborn growth and childhood (dental) morbidity patterning among historic North Americans. Email: mmarks1@utk.edu

Dr. Lee Meadows Jantz

Coordinator of the Forensic Anthropology Center. Dr. Meadows Jantz is responsible for the Body Donation program and curation of the William M. Bass Donated and Forensic skeletal collections. Research interests include skeletal biology (past and recent populations), forensic anthropology, and human growth and development. Email: ljantz@utk.edu

Dr. Lyle W. Konigsberg

Professor. Dr. Konigsberg conducts research in human skeletal biology, genetics, and paleodemography. His current research interests are in the role of Bayesian versus likelihood inference in forensic anthropology and skeletal biology. He has applied these two contrasting statistical viewpoints to problems in age and stature estimation. Email: lylek@utk.edu

Dr. Walter E. Klippel

Professor. Dr. Klippel conducts research with animal remains in historic and archaeological contexts. His interests include the identification and taphonomy of the vertebrate skeleton as well as morphological and size variability in domestic animal breeds. He is the curator of the large comparative zoological collection held by the Anthropology Department, which is used both in the identification of nonhuman remains found in forensic contexts and in ongoing taphonomic research. Email: wklippel@utk.edu

Collaborative Researchers

Dr. Sandra K. Elkins, M.D. Forensic Pathologist, Knox County Medical Examiner - UT Medical Center. Research interests: Rare/unconventional micro-organisms, traumatic death, sudden death in healthy young adults.

Dr. John C. Neff, M.D. Professor of Pathology - UT Medical Center. Research interests: Symbolic logic and medical coding, immunopathology, and resident education.

Dr. Michael P. Tabor, D.D.S., DABFO, Chief Forensic Odontologist for the Office of the Medical Examiner - Davidson County and the State of Tennessee. Research interests: Forensic dental investigation, bitemark analysis.

Dr. J. Randall Pearce, D.D.S. General Dentistry, Morristown TN. Research interests: Forensic odontology, personal identification, aesthetic restoration.

Dr. William F. McCormick, Ph.D. Forensic Pathologist, Retired. Research interests: Non-metric variables, specific human decay rates (chemical, microscopic, and gross changes), age and sex related changes.

Dr. Arpad Vass, Ph.D. Research Scientist - Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Research interests: Developing technology to determine the post-mortem interval, locate clandestine graves and evaluate chemical markers associated with human decomposition.