Final answer:
Forensic anthropology is a subfield of biological anthropology that analyzes human remains to identify victims and determine the cause of death. Forensic anthropologists have played critical roles in identifying victims of war, disasters, and crimes. They work in medical examiner's offices and assist with autopsies and examinations of skeletal remains.
Step-by-step explanation:
Forensic anthropology is a subfield of biological anthropology that applies scientific methods to the analysis of human remains for the purposes of identifying a victim and determining the possible cause of death.
A major difference between forensic anthropology and other types of biological anthropology is that forensic anthropology is usually focused on crime scenes involving the death of an individual, whereas other types primarily focus on understanding patterns and features that may appear in a group or an entire population.
Beginning in World War II, forensic anthropologists have been instrumental in helping identify victims of war and disasters. They have played critical roles in identifying victims of the Thailand tsunami in 2004 and the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Today, most forensic anthropologists work in a medical examiner's office, assisting with autopsies and examinations of skeletal remains.