Amy Michael

Amy Michael is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of New Hampshire and Director of the Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery (F.A.I.R.) Lab. Her research focuses on gender identity in forensic casework, human bone and tooth histology, cold case resolution, and Maya bioarchaeology.

• B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Iowa
• M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State University

Her work integrates forensic anthropology with genetic genealogy and interdisciplinary collaboration, emphasizing cases with long postmortem intervals, gender-diverse decedents, and fragmented remains. She employs techniques like skull-photo superimposition and necrogeography to address identification challenges.

Recent publications highlight cold case resolutions, Maya mortuary landscapes, and impacts of disuse and disease on skeletal analysis. She teaches courses including Human Evolution, Forensic Anthropology, and Advanced Topics in Bioanthropology. Her research involves partnerships with anatomists, psychologists, and genealogists.

As Principal Investigator of the Human Identity Project (funded by Idaho State University), she advances methodologies for unidentified remains. The F.A.I.R. Lab serves as a hub for forensic recovery and training, blending academic rigor with practical application.