Cold case anthropology class to begin in fall semester

Southeast is introducing a new online anthropology class in the fall called AN355 Cold Case Anthropology. During the online, full-semester class, students will learn the basics of forensic anthropology while studying the methods and techniques used to gather information on cold cases.

In the course, students will learn how to identify skeletonized human remains and investigate long-term missing person cases. Students will also learn about forensic social science perspectives and how the media contributes to forensic cases. They will also create a final case report project focusing on a specific cold case of their choice.

Cold cases around the world spark the interest of many. Students enrolled in the course will get a close-up look at the procedures it takes to identify missing persons' remains.

The class is a special topic course taught by Associate Professor of History and Anthropology Jennifer Bengtson. Bengston gauged interest in the Living at Southeast Facebook page prior to fall registration. She said the class filled up within a matter of days.

“I know that we have some psychology students in the class, some criminal justice and some journalism students, even, and I think all of those disciplines contribute in their own unique ways to this cold case universe,” Bengston said. “I am really interested in working with students from other majors to be able to learn about how other students would approach the same cases.”

Bengston is building the course on Canvas and will continue to do so throughout the summer.

Students participating will be able to work at their own pace and customize their learning experience due to the diversity of majors amongst the enrolled students.

Bengston plans to have various modules for different students' levels of knowledge on the course.

Alex Meyer is a senior advanced anthropology student hoping to become a forensic anthropologist. They have taken multiple courses with Bengston in past semesters and are eager to work with students from other majors in a collaborative effort.

“As an upper-level anthropology student who is interested in forensics and bio-anthropology, I am interested in working on cold cases in regards to forensics,” Meyer said. “In reality, cold cases go unsolved because there's not enough time, resources or funding for it, leaving them to just sit on shelves.”

Bengston said she hopes the new class will be a success and incorporated into the future anthropology required-course curriculum, but with a different course number.

Dominica Bowles is a sophomore double major in criminal justice and psychology. Bowles has always had an interest in cold cases and wanted to expand her knowledge on the subject. Bowles’ goal is to become a forensic detective, and she believes an anthropology background would be useful to help her achieve this.

“I love doing deep dives into cases while trying to figure out information on cold cases or mysteries,” Bowels said. “I really hope the class will help me understand people more in the sense of looking at cases and learning more about reactions and responses to these types of cases.”

Bengston said she is also interested in starting a Cold Case Club and leading it as the faculty advisor. In order to start the club, she said they first need a group of motivated and passionate students.

For more information about the anthropology special topics courses, visit CoursesSEMO and scroll down to AN355.