Douglas Ubelaker

Areas of Expertise

Forensic and physical anthropology, human osteology, paleopathology, paleodemography.

Dr. Ubelaker is a physical and forensic anthropologist with extensive experience in the identification of human skeletal remains. He is curator of Physical Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution's Department of Anthropology.

Current Research

When not consulting on forensic cases, Dr. Ubelaker does a variety of research on the paleopathology, paleodemography, and osteology of ancient populations, especially in North America, Ecuador, and Eastern Europe.

Education

To see Dr. Ubelaker's CV, click here.

Ph.D. 1973, University of Kansas
B.A. 1968, University of Kansas

Publications

Books

2013  Ubelaker, D.H., ed.  Forensic Science: Current Issues, Future Directions.  West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

1999  Ubelaker, D. Human Skeletal Remains: Excavation, Analysis, Interpretation. Aldine Manuals on Archeology. 3rd ed. Washington, DC: Taraxacum.

1992  Ubelaker, D., and H. Scammel. Bones, A Forensic Detective's Casebook. New York: HarperCollins.

1982  Ubelaker, D., and H. J. Viola, eds. Plains Indian Studies A Collection of Essays in Honor of John C. Ewers and Waldo R. Wedel. Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology no. 30. Washington: Smithsonian Institution.

Articles and Book Chapters

2013  Alesbury, H.S. D.H. Ubelaker and R. Bernstein. "Utility of the frontonasal suture for estimating age at death in human skeletal remains," Journal of Forensic Sciences 58(1): 104-108.

2011  Ubelaker, D.H., and K. Zarenko. "Adipocere: What is known after over two centuries of research," Forensic Sciences International 208(1):167-172.

2011  Ubelaker, D.H., and J.L. Rife. "Skeletal analysis and mortuary practice in an Early Roman chamber tomb at Kenchreai, Greece," International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 21(1): 1-18.

2008  Ubelaker, D.H., and R.C. Parra. "Application of three dental methods of adult age estimation from intact single rooted teeth to a Peruvian sample," Journal of Forensic Sciences 53(3):608-611.

2008  Ubelaker, D.H. "Methodology in commingling analysis: An historical overview." In B.J. Adams and J.E. Byrd, eds., Recovery, Analysis, and Identification of Commingled Human Remains, pp. 1-7. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press.

2007  Ubelaker, D.H., and J.L. Rife. "The practice of cremation in the Roman-era cemetery at Kenchreai, Greece: The perspective from archeology and forensic science," Bioarchaeology of the Near East 1:35-57.

Distinctions

Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Anthropology
Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Sciences

Classes Taught

To see syllabi, click on the course title.

Anth 3403 (old 145): Forensic Anthropology Laboratory
Anth 3404 (146)/Anat 6252 (252): Human Variation