headshot of Amy Michael

Amy Michael

Assistant Professor
Phone: (603) 862-1864
Office: UNH Anthropology, Huddleston Hall Rm 320, Durham, NH 03824
Websites:
Curriculum Vitae

Amy Michael is a biological anthropologist and Director of the Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery Lab (F.A.I.R. Lab) at UNH. She is interested in gender identity and diversity in forensic casework, human bone and tooth histology, search and recovery methods in northern New England, and collaborative approaches to resolving unidentified cold cases. With training in bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology and historical archaeology, Amy has worked on archaeological field projects in the United States, Belize and Albania. She is increasingly working with experts outside of anthropology (e.g., anatomists, psychologists, professional writers/researchers, and genealogists) to investigate challenging cases with long postmortem intervals, gender diverse decedents, and/or few remaining skeletal elements for analysis.

Courses Taught

  • ANTH 415: Human Evolution, Fossils & DNA
  • ANTH 550: Intro to Forensic Anth
  • ANTH 655: Bioarchaeology
  • ANTH 660: Human Osteology
  • ANTH 697: Special Topics/Cold Cases
  • ANTH 699H: Honors Senior Thesis
  • ANTH 797: AdvTop/Race and Racism

Education

  • Ph.D., Anthropology, Michigan State University
  • M.A., Anthropology, Michigan State University
  • B.A., Anthropology, University of Iowa

Research Interests

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Bone and tooth histology
  • Dental anthropology
  • Dental Health & Hygiene
  • Effects of drugs and alcohol on skeletal microstructure
  • Forensic anthropology
  • Forensic Science
  • Maya bioarchaeology
  • Microscopy
  • Pathology
  • Skeletal Diseases
  • Skeletal trauma
  • Skull-photo superimposition and image comparison

Selected Publications

  • Blatt, S. H., Michael, A. R., Isa, M. I., & Redgrave, A. (2022). Bye-bye binary: collaborative, gender-expansive strategies for identification of Trans Does. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY Vol. 177 (pp. 18-19). Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/

  • Michael, A. R., Blatt, S. H., Isa, M., Redgrave, A., & Ubelaker, D. H. (2022). Identification of a decedent in a 103-year-old homicide case using forensic anthropology and genetic genealogy. FORENSIC SCIENCES RESEARCH. doi:10.1080/20961790.2022.2034717

  • Michael, A. R., & Blatt, S. H. (2021). The Triad Approach for Human Identification: The Role of Biological Anthropologists in Collaborative Forensic Genetic Genealogy Efforts. Forensic Genomics, 1(2), 60-71. doi:10.1089/forensic.2020.0006

  • Michael, A., Bengtson, J., & Blatt, S. (2021). Genes, Race, Ancestry, and Identity in Forensic Anthropology: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Concerns. Forensic Genomics, 1(2), 41-46. doi:10.1089/forensic.2021.0004

  • Blatt, S., & Michael, A. (2020). Bridging the gap in identification: Sella turcica bridging as a potential positive identification factor. Forensic Imaging, 21, 200384. doi:10.1016/j.fri.2020.200384

  • Blatt, S. H., Petersen, K., & Michael, A. R. (2020). Estimating Age of Mature Adults from Degeneration of the Medial End of the Clavicle in an African American Sample. Forensic Anthropology, 3(1), 39-49. doi:10.5744/fa.2020.1005

  • O'Gorman, J., Bengtson, J. D., & Michael, A. R. (2020). Ancient history and new beginnings: necrogeography and migration in the North American midcontinent. WORLD ARCHAEOLOGY, 52(1), 16-34. doi:10.1080/00438243.2019.1736138

  • Michael, A., Wrobel, G., & Biggs, J. (2018). Understanding Late Classic Maya mortuary ritual in caves:
    dental evidence of health from macro- and microscopic defects and caries.. In Bioarchaeology of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

  • Michael, A. R., & Bengtson, J. D. (2016). Chronic alcoholism and bone remodeling processes: Caveats and considerations for the forensic anthropologist.. J Forensic Leg Med, 38, 87-92. doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2015.11.022

  • Michael, A. (n.d.). Ritual landscapes of the Caves Branch River Valley. Research Reports in Belizean Archaeology.

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  • Most Cited Publications