Sean Tallman

Sean Tallman is an Associate Professor at the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, with secondary appointments in Anthropology and Archaeology. A 2023-2024 Fulbright Scholar in Public Health at South African universities, he leads the Forensic and Bioanthropology Laboratory (FAB Lab) Group and teaches courses in human osteology, bioarchaeology, and forensic anthropology.

• Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• M.A., State University of New York, Binghamton
• B.A., University of Washington
• A.A., Shoreline Community College

His research bridges human skeletal biology, forensic methods, and social justice, with a focus on gender inclusivity, critical race theory, and diversity in forensic anthropology. Utilizing CT scans and 3D modeling, he advances techniques for age estimation, sex determination, and positive identification.

Recent publications highlight trends in machine learning for skeletal aging, ethical advocacy in forensic science, and biocultural approaches to skeletal embodiment. His work addresses systemic biases in ancestry estimation and promotes antiracist frameworks in forensic practices.

• Scientific honors include Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA).

As the head of the FAB Lab, he mentors students in the M.S. Program in Forensic Anthropology and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving human rights and forensic identification. His career spans fieldwork in France, Vietnam, and Laos, and research roles in Japan and Thailand.