We have another terrific program lined up for our May meeting. Dr. Diane France from the Human ID Lab of Colorado will present the program, Determining the Circumstances Surrounding Death. Please join us for networking, education, and inspiration via Zoom on May 13, starting at 6:30 p.m. (MST). Members will receive the link and password by email, groups.io, and our newsletter. Non-members, please send an email to chapterpres@rmmwa.org to request access.

Program:

Determining the Circumstances Surrounding Death

by Dr. Diane France, Human ID Lab of Colorado

Do you want to know how to write about the circumstances surrounding death, from sharp force trauma to blunt trauma to gunshot wounds? A forensic anthropologist is often called to determine the circumstances surrounding death of a body, and the key to successfully diagnosing trauma means that we have to understand how bone reacts to force. After this talk, you will understand, as well!

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Diane France received her Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1983 with an emphasis on forensic anthropology and osteology. In 1989 the American Board of Forensic Anthropology certified her as an expert in forensic anthropology. She has been recognized as an expert by multiple Colorado district courts as well as in Wisconsin. She is an adjunct faculty member of CSU, and is the owner and director of the Human Identification Laboratory of Colorado, an independent laboratory.

Dr. France has experience in archaeological techniques, particularly as they relate to recovery of human remains and evidence from outdoor scenes. She is a member (since 1989) and past president of NecroSearch International, a volunteer multidisciplinary organization that assists law enforcement in the location of clandestine graves and the recovery of remains and evidence from outdoor scenes.

She has served almost 18 years on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and served for five years as its president. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and served as vice chairman and chairman of the Physical Anthropology Section of the AAFS. In 2010 she was awarded the T. Dale Stewart Award (the highest award given by the section). Dr. France served eight years on the Board of Trustees of the Forensic Science Foundation and served four of those years as its Vice Chairman. She also served as Chairman of the Research Committee for three years and has participated in the Research Committee for many years outside member since leaving the Board of Trustees in 2003.  Dr. France is the chair of the Anthropology subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees, and has been a member since 2014.

Dr. France is also the author of five professional books and numerous other publications and is under contract for additional books.

Meeting Agenda:
6:30-7:00 Networking, Introductions, and News
7:00-7:15 Mystery Minute by ZJ Czupor
7:15-8:15 or so: Program featuring our guest speaker
After Party: Stay after the program to mingle and visit.