I want to become a forensic anthropologist. What do i need to know or be warned about in becoming one?

My advisor is a forensic anthropologist (I am a bioarchaeologist). The downsides of the job: 1) A lot of education is required (a Ph.D., plan on at least 12 years of college). 2) You will never make much money, and job security is limited. You will have to travel extensively (which is also a bonus, but most of the anthropolgists I know have been separated from their spouses/children for years at a time). 3) There is a GLUT of forensic anthropologists at the moment. Between 50 and 200 (qualified Ph.D.) candidates apply for each position, and it's only getting worse. The advantages: It's interesting. It's challenging. It's DEFINITELY not a 9-5 job If you genuinely have a passion for it, the disadvantages can be worth it.

Much of your income depends on grants, which depends on public opinion and government. Much of your time might take place in uncomfortable, hot, smelly, dirty, dusty places.

You need to get accepted to a graduate program in FA in order to become one. An undergraduate education in anthropology, biology, or criminology would be a great start. Then you need to at least get your Master's in FA - from what the FA students in my Anthro department say, the chances of getting a job with just a Master's are ok but not great. A PhD would be better. I'm not sure what you mean about getting messed up - unlike on that silly TV show Bones, you don't go to the scene of the crime, you don't solve crimes, and you don't get tangled with the witnesses. You provide an expert opinion on a specific subject when called to do so (my prof has some great stories from court cases). In other words, you're a scientist. Your work will mean collaboration with other forensic specialists, like forensic chemists and entomologists, each of whom can provide their own pieces of evidence. Some forensic anthropologists also engage in their own research - just last week I got to hear Dr. Steve Symes, an esteemed forensic anthropologist who works at Mercyhurst College, give a lecture on how to classify cutmarks (knife vs saw etc) in murder cases. He's basically written the book on this type of analysis. The biggest challenge you'll face (besides getting into and through grad school and finding a job) will probably the work itself - it's tough, from everything I hear. Anyway, I'm rambling a lot because it's a topic I'm interested in and that I luckily get to hear a lot about. Good luck if you do go into the field - it's a useful and interesting profession! BTW, it *is* gross - really gross. Lots of goo. Rotting goo. *Addendum - the number one thing, from what I've heard, that will mess you up, is unethical behavior: either providing testimony when you're not sure of what you're saying, or deliberately providing misleading analyses, or treating or disposing of human remains in a disrespectful manner, etc. Strive to be a professional, and work hard, and you might just land a job; remain ethical and you might just keep it. Good luck.