Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of History and Anthropology received a check in December from the Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) Clippard Wilson Taylor Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau to aid in solving real-life cold cases through forensic anthropology.
“We are so grateful to the VFW and all of our donors for supporting our work,” said Jennifer Bengtston, a professor in the Department of History and Anthropology. “We, along with our lab partners, do everything we can to keep costs down, but the expenses can add up. We would not be able to do this work without the generous support of donors.”
The VFW decided to get involved upon learning that Bengtson and her students had helped identify the remains of Everette Guy Travis, a veteran. The VFW also expressed interest in funding an entire case from start to finish.
It takes approximately $7,500 to fund the resolution of each cold case, with most of that money allocated to DNA extraction and genomic sequencing. A lot of the funds come from donations like the VFW’s and from the Forensic Anthropology giving page.
Bengtson and her students collaborate with Othram to resolve decades-old unidentified human remains cases. Othram conducts genomic sequencing and genealogical research.Bengtson and her students also work with the Center for Applied Isotope Studies in Georgia forisotope testing to reveal information such as birthplace, travel history, and age. The team searches online databases cases they might assist with and contacts the appropriate law enforcement agencies. To date, Southeast students have helped identify six sets of remains through their work.
“My students benefit by applying their skills to real cases, law enforcement receives assistance with cases they often lack the resources to resolve on their own, and families get answers and have their missing loved ones returned to them,” Bengston said. “For those six families, it means the world to finally reunite with their loved ones and get some answers about what happened to them after decades of wondering and waiting”
Southeast’s Department of History and Anthropology offers hands on learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels in social studies, history, social science, public history, anthropology, and global studies. Students learn from experts in the field and utilize out-of-classroom opportunities to garner skills for their careers.
Republished courtesy of SEMO.