Whiteness in forensics

Anthropology and genetics are two forensic disciplines in which race is inherently relevant and increasingly controversial. This chapter reviews the current literature with regards to the use of “race” in forensic biological methods, considering its similarities and differences to the older phenomenon of phrenology. Forensic regimes around the globe rely to a degree on racial notions and classifications to this day, and this dependence is viewed both positively and negatively depending on the source. Race is often a contested term in forensic biology and efforts have been made in both disciplines to reframe the notion in terms of “ethnicity,” “ancestry,” and/or “population.” There are proponents and critics in regard to both forensic techniques. Proponents argue for the validity and utility of forensic biological methods to infer racial data for the identification of suspects and missing persons. Critics convey how scientific categories of race influence social, cultural, and political notions, thereby reinforcing racial stereotypes, particularly as they relate to offending behavior and crime commission. There is, as such, an ongoing debate regarding these forensic procedures that has not been resolved. This chapter aims to elucidate this debate in both forensic and biological contexts, specifically pinpointing whether race is any longer an appropriate framework for the notions and practices of both disciplines.