Biological Anthropology in Brazil: A Preliminary Overview

Abstract

The article reports the findings of a wide-ranging investigative study, designed to produce a 'snapshot' Antropologia Biológica no Brasil: esboço para um retratoResumo O artigo traz a lume informações recolhidas a partir de um amplo estudo investigativo, o qual procurou delinear uma espécie de "instantâneo" da Antropologia Biológica brasileira a partir de dados quantitativos, qualitativos, histórico-documentais e bibliográficos. Nele estão dispostos excertos extraídos de uma série de quatro depoimentos concedidos por pesquisadores brasileiros, os quais consideram-se atuantes na área de Bioantropologia, entremeados por informações de outra natureza. Esses excertos encontram-se organizados em tópicos a saber: (a) o lugar periférico ocupado pela Bioantropologia no campo antropológico nacional; (b) as relações entre filiação institucional e exercício profissional; (c) a visibilidade da área dentro e fora do país. Espera-se, com isso, uma contribuição, ainda que inicial, para uma retomada dos estudos e discussões devotados à contraparte biológica da Antropologia no Brasil, nos seus mais diferentes aspectos, especialmente na contemporaneidade.

In search of identity: The field of forensic anthropology in Brazil—Profession and practice

“…Lastly (but certainly not least of the major issues the discipline faces in Brazil), interviewees highlighted the lack of recognition of its potential by many practitioners who are not directly engaged in this field, law enforcement, and the justice system. This lack of recognition often stems from the problematic historical development of forensic anthropology and its relation to biological anthropology that is generally rejected as a legitimate field of science in Brazilian anthropological and general academic circles [22]. Responders shared a concern for biological and forensic anthropology to achieve a place in the Brazilian academic scenario, successfully detach from typological theories and approaches in the perception of academics and professionals, and demonstrate its potential and usefulness of application in criminal cases.…”

“…As commented by some respondents, due to historical circumstances, some institutions in Brazil have voiced a strong rejection of biological/physical anthropology, which is still viewed in some circles as a justification for racism. This translates into a near-total lack of physical/biological anthropology courses at any stage of academic curriculum [22] that could serve as a base for later specialization in forensic anthropology. This situation has twofold consequences.…”

“…Academic opportunities and wider acceptance of these fields would also likely spark an interest in research in these areas, which is greatly needed [15] to adapt existing methods and techniques to Brazilian biological context so that their application in forensic cases would be more reliable and successful. where biological anthropology is taught at a university level [22,43].…”

“…Only 10 years ago (in 2010), a postgraduate course in bioanthropology, offering master's and PhD degrees, was created at the Federal University of Pará. At this time, it remains the only center where biological anthropology is taught at a university level [22,43]. The general lack of adequate university courses led to a situation in which the majority of the work generally assigned to forensic anthropologists in Brazil is being performed by odontologists and—to a lesser degree—by medical examiners.…”