Good Forensic Anthropology And Human Rights Investigations Movie Review Example

One of the characteristic features of forensic anthropology is its deep moral load. What really makes sense is the ultimate goal which is pursued, and also the motivation behind the actions of anthropologists: they struggle for the truth, allowing the authorities to punish those who have not received their punishment. Therefore, this branch of anthropology functions as a link in the system of justice as it helps to reconstruct the scenes of massacres and find the evidence which may support or refute generally accepted facts.
In addition to that, this struggle is oriented not only towards identifying the names of the murdered and the murderers but also towards enabling the relatives of the former to feel inner harmony, depriving them of the necessity for living in a constant state of futile hope and uncertainty. As it is demonstrated in the film, people tend to have a desperate psychological need for closure – in other words, they have to experience some event which would help them to realize that their loved ones indeed passed away, and thus adapt themselves to such a thought. In order to reconcile themselves to the sad reality, the relatives have to know the details of the deaths. Moreover, since traditions and customs are inseparable components of social and cultural life, following the rules accepted as a norm is necessary for emotional balance. In this respect, what plays a crucial, though symbolic, role is a funeral, and it is forensic anthropology that provides the opportunity for the ceremony to take place. If the murdered are reburied, their relatives feel a sense of fulfilled duty.
Therefore, we may state that forensic anthropologists’ contribution cannot be overestimated: they work for the sake of justice, and such work definitely deserves respect.