Episode 09: Forensic Analysis

# AnthroAlert

## Episode 09: Forensic Analysis

Originally aired 21 July 2017 on bullsradio.org

In this episode, we look at applications of forensic anthropology.

Our guest, Liotta Noche-Dowdy, will present on using multi-isotope analysis to aid with the identification of unidentified decedents in the Tampa Bay area.

Liotta Noche-Dowdy is a Ph.D. student of applied anthropology at the University of South Florida.

Liotta Noche-Dowdy originally grew up in San Diego, CA and has her first undergraduate degree from UCSD in Visual Arts.

Years later her and her husband moved to Tampa Bay for him to finish graduate school. She went back to school in 2002 part-time to earn a second undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from USF while also raising a family. Inspired by learning pathology and other biochem methods, Liotta eventually stumbled upon the work of Biological Anthropologists of Dr. Kimmerle and Dr. Madrigal from the Dept of Anthropology and decided to complete a minor in anthropology as well. Anthropology made such an impact she decided to take the chance and dive into graduate school under the mentorship of Dr. Kimmerle, completing her masters degree in 2015 and continuing to pursue her PhD with Dr. Kimmerle as her advisor.

Her focus within the field of biological anthropology includes bio-archaeology and forensic anthropology and utilization of stable and heavy isotope analysis to help investigate past diets and migration patterns of historic human populations or even in current forensic or cold cases with unidentified decedents. Along the way, she’s had the opportunity to work along side many geochemists, forensic anthropologists and archaeologists that helped guide and train her with isotope analysis, excavation methods, and with other biological methods with estimating a biological profile for unidentified decedents in a historic or forensic setting.

She looks forward to continue to learning and understanding new technological advancements that will help aid in identification with forensic cold cases or with understanding the past histories of our previous ancestors.

## Podcast link

https://anthroalert.tumblr.com/post/167768014538/anthroalert-episode-09-forensic-analysis

## Video link

https://youtu.be/rBd8soOpH0A

## Album art photo credit:

Oliver Thompson

https://flic.kr/p/9zVPYB

CC License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Image provided by Liotta Noche-Dowdy

## Intro music credit:

Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba

http://ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345

CC License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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