UWO Now: Bones, History, and Cold Cases with Jordan Karsten , PhD

07/12/2025 25 min

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Episode Synopsis

In this UWO Now episode, host Wendell Ray talks with JordanKarsten, PhD, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, about applying his knowledge to help solve cold cases. They explore the techniques used to analyze human remains, the role of DNA evidence, and collaborations with law enforcement. Karsten explains how students at UWO get hands-on experience identifying remains that solve cold cases.• Anthropology and archaeology• Reconstructing lives from bones and fragments• Criminal justice anthropology and fieldwork• Solving cold cases with local law enforcement#ColdCases #Forensics  #Anthropology  #UWO #UWONow  #DNA  #Investigation #Podcast(00:00) Intro(04:30) My first excavation was in Ukraine  (06:30) How we reconstruct lives from what we find     (13:10) How I identify bones as male or female (15:12) I help law enforcement identify remains (17:54) What Can be determined from a bone (22:36) I take students with me on searches