Jessica L. Campbell, PhD
Board-certified Forensic AnthropologistConsulting and services of unknown or unidentified human skeletal remains
On the scene, in the lab, or in the courtroom
What exactly is
Forensic Anthropology?
Forensic anthropology is the study of human skeletal remains within the medicolegal system. Forensic anthropologists can help determine whether unknown remains are bone, human, and recent in origin. More advanced skills include forensic archaeological recovery, skeletal trauma analysis, and analysis of pathological conditions or anomalies in the skeleton that can contribute to identification. We also assist in the estimation of the postmortem interval, and reconstruction of taphonomy, or what has happened to the bones after death.
About me
Catchy line describing me
Dr. Jessica L. Campbell is an ABFA board-certified forensic anthropologist currently working at Des Moines University in Iowa, where she researches positive identification of skeletal remains using the frontal sinus and assists with forensic casework on request. Prior to Iowa, she served as a contracted Forensic Anthropologist at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Honolulu, HI, helping to identify unresolved casualties from WWII. Dr. Campbell has experience with forensic casework in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, New York, and has assisted with the humanitarian mission to recover and identify missing migrants on Texas/Mexico border.
Dr. Campbell is a Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the American Association of Biological Anthropologists, and the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, as well as two regional forensic anthropology meetings.
Dr. Campbell’s research include the estimation of age-at-death from adult skeletons, resolution of commingled remains, the use of medical imaging in trauma analysis and positive identification, and the applications of biostatistics, particularly Bayesian inference, to forensic anthropology.
Recent Research
∝Campbell J, Butaric L. (2022) A Validation Test of the Total Difference Technique for Assessing the Frontal Sinus. American Academy of Forensic Sciences 74th Annual Scientific Meeting (poster). Seattle, WA.
∝Messer D, Campbell J, Adler B, Ruess L, Brink F, Xiang H. (2021) Differences in Fracture Healing between Unintentional and Abuse-related Fractures in Young Children. American Academy of Forensic Sciences 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting (podium). Held Virtually.
Get In Touch For a Consultation
Medicolegal Significance
- Is it human?
- Is it recent?
- Is it bone?
Archaeological recovery of remains
Personal Identification
Trauma Analysis
Biologocal Profile
- Age
- Sex
- Ancestry
- Stature
Skeletal Reconstruction
Resolution of commingled remains
Expert witness
Statistical Analysis
Services
What I Can Do For You
As a board-certified forensic anthropologist, I can provide assistance when skeletal remains are found. Services include assistance on the scene with recovery and documentation, in the lab to answer questions of identity and what happened around and after death, and in the courtroom as an expert witness. Additional services can include disaster response, training workshops, and guest lectures. Read more below:
Medicolegal Significance
- Is it bone?
- Is it human?
- Is it recent?
Archaeological Recovery
- Clandestine or Scattered
- Multiple Casualties
- Highly fragmented or cremains
- Indoor or outdoor scenes
- Cold-case exhumations
Trauma Analysis
What happened around the time of death that might have left evidence on the bones?
Biological Profile
- Age
- Sex
- Ancestry
- Stature
Identification
Using medical records and radiographic comparison; can assist in sampling skeletal remains for DNA or elemental analysis
Fragmented and/or Incomplete Remains
Reconstruction,
Resolution of Commingled Remains
Is there more than one person? Identification of minimum number of individuals and sorting of remains from 2+ individuals
Taphonomic Profile
- What has contributed to the condition of the remains since the time of death?
Postmortem Interval (PMI)
Using weather data, how much time has elapsed since the time of death?
Disaster Response
Burned or Cremated Remains
Is there more than one person? Identification of minimum number of individuals and sorting of remains from 2+ individuals
Expert Witness
why use a
Board-Certified Forensic Anthropologist
“A Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (D-ABFA) has attained certification demonstrating expertise in forensic anthropology. Diplomate status is conferred after obtaining a doctorate degree and successfully applying for and passing a rigorous examination that tests core forensic anthropological competencies.
A Diplomate is qualified, vetted, adherent to a code of ethics, and demonstrates continued professional development to maintain certification.”
Get In Touch
Based in Iowa & Minnesota
Serving the midwest region
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