Current status of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
Abstract Background Forensic anthropology has evolved significantly, from its foundations in the nineteenth century to its formal establishment in the twentieth century and in particular with modern advancements from the 1970s onward. Its role in human rights investigations during the 1980s in Latin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-025-00423-7 |
| _version_ | 1826803235531259904 |
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| author | Cindy Mansour Nicholas Márquez-Grant María Benito Sánchez |
| author_facet | Cindy Mansour Nicholas Márquez-Grant María Benito Sánchez |
| author_sort | Cindy Mansour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Forensic anthropology has evolved significantly, from its foundations in the nineteenth century to its formal establishment in the twentieth century and in particular with modern advancements from the 1970s onward. Its role in human rights investigations during the 1980s in Latin America and the 1990s in the Balkans, exemplifies its global impact. However, the practice and application of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remain underexplored. This study assesses the current status of forensic anthropology in this region through a brief literature review and online interviews with academics and practitioners in forensic anthropology or closely related disciplines. The interviews addressed the medico-legal system structure, forensic science capabilities, training efforts, practitioner availability, case types (medico-legal and humanitarian), and resources like radiological imaging. Results The study revealed that forensic anthropology is largely underutilized in the MENA region’s medico-legal death investigation systems. Factors such as limited human capital, lack of discipline awareness, varying legal and procedural systems, and insufficient academic infrastructure hinder its integration. Challenges include political instability, safety concerns for practitioners, and inadequate resources. The study highlights ongoing efforts by practitioners to improve the field through theoretical and practical training, capacity building, and resource development. Conclusion The findings underscore the need for strategic investments to strengthen forensic anthropology in the MENA region. Recommendations include enhancing education and training, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, disseminating scientific knowledge, increasing access to resources, and revising medico-legal frameworks. These measures can bridge existing gaps and advance forensic anthropology’s role in medico-legal and humanitarian contexts. |
| first_indexed | 2025-03-17T01:35:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-037b8f39e6f94a70beaa30e92503743d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2090-5939 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-17T01:35:26Z |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-037b8f39e6f94a70beaa30e92503743d2025-02-16T12:46:24ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences2090-59392025-02-0115111210.1186/s41935-025-00423-7Current status of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regionCindy Mansour0Nicholas Márquez-Grant1María Benito Sánchez2Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology ‑ Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, Complutense University of Madrid, Avd. Complutense sn, Facultad de MedicinaCranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield UniversityDepartment of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology ‑ Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, Complutense University of Madrid, Avd. Complutense sn, Facultad de MedicinaAbstract Background Forensic anthropology has evolved significantly, from its foundations in the nineteenth century to its formal establishment in the twentieth century and in particular with modern advancements from the 1970s onward. Its role in human rights investigations during the 1980s in Latin America and the 1990s in the Balkans, exemplifies its global impact. However, the practice and application of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remain underexplored. This study assesses the current status of forensic anthropology in this region through a brief literature review and online interviews with academics and practitioners in forensic anthropology or closely related disciplines. The interviews addressed the medico-legal system structure, forensic science capabilities, training efforts, practitioner availability, case types (medico-legal and humanitarian), and resources like radiological imaging. Results The study revealed that forensic anthropology is largely underutilized in the MENA region’s medico-legal death investigation systems. Factors such as limited human capital, lack of discipline awareness, varying legal and procedural systems, and insufficient academic infrastructure hinder its integration. Challenges include political instability, safety concerns for practitioners, and inadequate resources. The study highlights ongoing efforts by practitioners to improve the field through theoretical and practical training, capacity building, and resource development. Conclusion The findings underscore the need for strategic investments to strengthen forensic anthropology in the MENA region. Recommendations include enhancing education and training, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, disseminating scientific knowledge, increasing access to resources, and revising medico-legal frameworks. These measures can bridge existing gaps and advance forensic anthropology’s role in medico-legal and humanitarian contexts.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-025-00423-7Forensic anthropologyForensic scienceMiddle EastNorth AfricaMENA regionSurvey |
| spellingShingle | Cindy Mansour Nicholas Márquez-Grant María Benito Sánchez Current status of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences Forensic anthropology Forensic science Middle East North Africa MENA region Survey |
| title | Current status of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region |
| title_full | Current status of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region |
| title_fullStr | Current status of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current status of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region |
| title_short | Current status of forensic anthropology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region |
| title_sort | current status of forensic anthropology in the middle east and north africa mena region |
| topic | Forensic anthropology Forensic science Middle East North Africa MENA region Survey |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-025-00423-7 |
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