Forensic anthropology addresses systemic violence against Indigenous communities in the U.S.
Original framing: “Group puts forensic science to work in the search for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People” — bing news
Indigenous communities have long used traditional knowledge to locate and honor the dead, often in ways that complement forensic science. The MMIP crisis is not a new phenomenon but a continuation of colonial violence against Indigenous bodies and lands.
The MMIP crisis is not a forensic puzzle to be solved by outsiders but a legacy of colonial violence that demands Indigenous-led solutions.
By integrating forensic science with Indigenous knowledge, land sovereignty, and community-led justice, we can begin to heal the wounds of the past and prevent future harm. The work of forensic anthropologists must be embedded in a larger movement that challenges the very structures of power that created this crisis. Drawing from cross-cultural models and decolonial frameworks, we can build a future where Indigenous communities have the autonomy to protect their people and their stories.