Jaymelee Kim

Jaymelee Kim is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Wayne State University, specializing in applied forensic anthropology and archaeology. She holds a PhD from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and is a board-certified forensic anthropologist (D-ABFA) and Registered Professional Archaeologist. Her work focuses on justice interventions in post-disaster and post-violence contexts, particularly addressing marginalized communities through survivor-centered approaches.

Dr. Kim has conducted research in Uganda, Canada, and the African Great Lakes region, examining forensic anthropology's role in transitional justice, human trafficking, and Indigenous rights. She advises governmental and NGO entities on forensic practices and community engagement. Her academic appointments include teaching courses on forensic anthropology, biological anthropology, and human rights at Wayne State and prior institutions.

Key expertise areas include forensic archaeology, bioarchaeology, thanatology, and structural violence analysis. She collaborates with organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and contributes to initiatives such as Operation UNITED to resolve cold cases in Michigan. Her research has been funded by the Wenner-Gren Foundation, NIH, and National Science Foundation.

Dr. Kim’s scholarly contributions emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, linking forensic science with social justice. She has published extensively on topics such as forensic case reporting methodologies, disaster victim identification, and the intersection of trauma and biology. Her work often bridges academic research with practical applications to support survivor communities globally.