Christian Matthew Crowder

Dr. Christian Matthew Crowder is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Sociology and Anthropology Department at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He currently serves as Chief of Human Identification at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office. His expertise lies in forensic anthropology, with a focus on bone histology, pediatric trauma, sharp force trauma, and age estimation. He holds a PhD in Physical Anthropology from the University of Toronto (2005), an MA in Anthropology from UTA (2001), and a BA in Anthropology from Texas A&M University (1996).

• Education:
  • PhD, University of Toronto, 2005 (Physical Anthropology)
  • MA, The University of Texas at Arlington, 2001 (Anthropology)
  • BA, Texas A&M University, 1996 (Anthropology with minor in Biology)

Dr. Crowder’s research addresses topics such as histological age estimation, cognitive bias in forensic anthropology, and pediatric bone quality. He has managed grants exploring sharp force trauma and death investigation protocols. His teaching focuses on forensic anthropology, osteology, and skeletal biology, with courses like ANTH 3308 (Forensic Anthropology) offered regularly since 2020.

• Work History:
  • Chief of Human Identification, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office (2021–Present)
  • Forensic Anthropologist, Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office (2018–2021)
  • Director of Forensic Anthropology, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (2014–2018)
  • Forensic Anthropologist, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (2013–2014)
  • Deputy Director, NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner (2006–2013)
  • Forensic Anthropologist, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (2005–2006)

He has extensive experience in mass fatality management and has contributed to forensic practices across military, municipal, and state-level death investigation systems.