Michael Finnegan (anthropologist)
Encyclopedia
Dr. Michael Finnegan is a Professor of anthropology
at Kansas State University
and is one of the nation's leading forensic anthropology
experts. In 2005, he was named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Colorado
and held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution
, studying paleopathology
and non-metric variation for population studies and forensic science application. He is a Fellow and past Vice President of the American Academy
of Forensic Sciences; a Diplomate, and past President, of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Inc.;and is a recipient of the "Kansas Attorney General
's Certificate of Merit" in recognition of outstanding service rendered to law enforcement in and for the State of Kansas by a private citizen.
He has published numerous articles on theory, method and application of osteological analysis in population studies and forensic applications. He has conducted research in Africa
, Australia
, the Middle East
, Southeast Asia
, and Europe
, as well as various areas of North and South America. Dr. Finnegan is a recipient of the "William L. Stamey Teaching Award" in undergraduate instruction, the "John C. Hazelet Award" as the outstanding member of the Kansas Division of the International Association for Identification, the "Bartucz Lajos Award" from Jozsef Attila University and the "T. Dale Stewart Award" from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Finnegan was elected to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 1976 and selected as a Fellow in 1978. He has served the academy in numerous capacities, including section representative on the board of directors and as vice president.
When he is called to a case, Finnegan determines the deceased's physical characteristics, establishes approximate time of death and keeps authorities informed of his progress. He has identified downed American pilots in Vietnam, dissidents in Eastern Europe and even Jesse James. Finnegan has lectured throughout the world. He also has been contacted for consultation by forensic labs worldwide.
He has published numerous articles on theory, method and application of osteological analysis in population studies and forensic applications.
Finnegan has received the Kansas Attorney General's Certificate of Merit in recognition of outstanding service rendered to law enforcement in and for the state of Kansas by a private citizen.
He has also received K-State's William L. Stamey Teaching Award in undergraduate instruction, the John C. Hazelet Award as an outstanding member of the Kansas Division of the International Association for Identification, the Bartucz Lajos Award from the University of Szeged, Hungary, the Outstanding Senior Scientist Award from Sigma Xi and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Physical Anthropology Section's T. Dale Stewart Award.
He frequently participates in discussion panels at the Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave
.
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
at Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
and is one of the nation's leading forensic anthropology
Forensic anthropology
Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology and human osteology in a legal setting, most often in criminal cases where the victim's remains are in the advanced stages of decomposition. A forensic anthropologist can assist in the identification of deceased...
experts. In 2005, he was named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is a professional society for people in all areas of forensics.For over sixty years, the AAFS has served a distinguished and diverse membership. Its nearly 6,000 members are divided into eleven sections spanning the forensic enterprise...
. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
and held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, studying paleopathology
Paleopathology
Paleopathology, also spelled palaeopathology, is the study of ancient diseases. It is useful in understanding the past history of diseases, and uses this understanding to predict its course in the future.- History of paleopathology :...
and non-metric variation for population studies and forensic science application. He is a Fellow and past Vice President of the American Academy
of Forensic Sciences; a Diplomate, and past President, of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Inc.;and is a recipient of the "Kansas Attorney General
Kansas Attorney General
The Attorney General of Kansas is a statewide elected official responsible for providing legal services to the state government of Kansas.-Divisions:* Criminal Justice* Civil Litigation* Consumer Protection* Concealed Carry...
's Certificate of Merit" in recognition of outstanding service rendered to law enforcement in and for the State of Kansas by a private citizen.
He has published numerous articles on theory, method and application of osteological analysis in population studies and forensic applications. He has conducted research in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, as well as various areas of North and South America. Dr. Finnegan is a recipient of the "William L. Stamey Teaching Award" in undergraduate instruction, the "John C. Hazelet Award" as the outstanding member of the Kansas Division of the International Association for Identification, the "Bartucz Lajos Award" from Jozsef Attila University and the "T. Dale Stewart Award" from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Finnegan was elected to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 1976 and selected as a Fellow in 1978. He has served the academy in numerous capacities, including section representative on the board of directors and as vice president.
When he is called to a case, Finnegan determines the deceased's physical characteristics, establishes approximate time of death and keeps authorities informed of his progress. He has identified downed American pilots in Vietnam, dissidents in Eastern Europe and even Jesse James. Finnegan has lectured throughout the world. He also has been contacted for consultation by forensic labs worldwide.
He has published numerous articles on theory, method and application of osteological analysis in population studies and forensic applications.
Finnegan has received the Kansas Attorney General's Certificate of Merit in recognition of outstanding service rendered to law enforcement in and for the state of Kansas by a private citizen.
He has also received K-State's William L. Stamey Teaching Award in undergraduate instruction, the John C. Hazelet Award as an outstanding member of the Kansas Division of the International Association for Identification, the Bartucz Lajos Award from the University of Szeged, Hungary, the Outstanding Senior Scientist Award from Sigma Xi and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Physical Anthropology Section's T. Dale Stewart Award.
He frequently participates in discussion panels at the Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave
Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave
The Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave is an annual convention for mystery writers and fans held in Manhattan, Kansas. The Conclave is a Non-profit organization.-Panelists:...
.
Sources
- http://www.ksu.edu/sasw/anthro/finnegan.html
- http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/finnegan31605.html