Forensic Anthropology Focus of MTSU’s Lifelong Learning Microcourse

“CSI” enthusiasts or those with an investigative curiosity may want to sign up for the 2024 Lifelong Learning Program at Middle Tennessee State University, where this year’s focus is on forensic anthropology.

Set for 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 20, the free program will spotlight MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education, or FIRE, with Director Tom Holland leading the lecture at the institute’s location in Room 102 of Wiser-Patten Science Hall on campus.

Holland will present, “True Crimes and War Dead: The World of Forensic Anthropology,” and explore the field of forensic anthropology through notable historical cases.

“We will be taking a bird’s-eye view of forensic anthropology — what it is and isn’t — by looking at the role that anthropology has played in some famous cases,” said Holland, who previously served as scientific director of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command’s Central Identification Laboratory in Honolulu, Hawaii, before taking the helm at FIRE in 2019.

Two of the cases he’ll cover include the identification of the unknown soldier from Vietnam who was once buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, as well as the identification of Tsar Nicholas Romanov and his family.

“I may also cover a couple of true-crime cases, such as the Sam Sheppard case, which inspired the television show and movie, ‘The Fugitive,’” said Holland, who took over FIRE in after the retirement of founder and renowned forensic anthropologist Hugh Berryman.

After the lecture portion, participants will venture into the FIRE laboratory for hands-on activities, such as estimating the age and stature of a skeleton.

“While the slides and presentation are not particularly graphic, the topic is the human skeleton, so be prepared,” Holland noted.

Hosted by the College of Liberal Arts, this year’s program is part of the newly revamped format of the Lifelong Learning series that began in 2015 to introduce the community to the multidisciplinary College of Liberal Arts, or CLA, home to eight academic departments, several centers and institutes and a host of academic programs.

“As we approach a new academic year on campus and many families are gearing up for back-to-school season, we want to make sure that no one is excluded from the fun,” Liberal Arts Dean Leah Lyons said. “Intellectual curiosity is something we should never grow out of, so we offer the CLA Lifelong Learning Program. It is important to us that we engage the community in the life of the College of Liberal Arts.”

At one time, programming included multiple sessions. But the pandemic prompted event planners to take a pause and “evaluate growth areas for the program,” explained Jennifer Rice, event coordinator for CLA.

“By 2023, there was a strong desire to bring the program back to an in-person experience. We adopted a new format, and the program now a half-day session that explores one of the seven centers and institutes in the College of Liberal Arts,” Rice said.

Last year’s program commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the Tennessee Maneuvers during World War II with a presentation led by Louis Kyriakoudes, history professor and director of the Albert Gore Research Center.

The program and parking are free, but registration is requested. Reserve your spot by registering at https://bit.ly/4cZiGt1 or email Jennifer.Rice@mtsu.edu.

Wiser-Patten Science Hall, where the program is held, is located at 422 Old Main Circle. A searchable campus map is available at bit.ly/3IWpzxP.

To learn more about MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts and the programs offered, visit https:// mtsu.edu/liberalarts.