Bowling Green, Ky. - Internationally known forensic anthropologist Dr. Tosha Dupras will be the featured speaker in this month’s “Far Away Places Series” sponsored by Western Kentucky University Libraries at Barnes and Noble Bookstore (1680 Campbell Lane), Thursday at 7 p.m.

A native of Fraser Lake, British Columbia, Dr. Dupras obtained her PhD in physical anthropology from McMaster University. She is an associate professor of Anthropology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, an adjunct member of the Forensic Science program, and a research scientist of Forensic Anthropology at the National Center for Forensic Science at the University of Central Florida.

Her two main areas of study are: human diet and forensic anthropology. She studies diet through chemical methods (studying the stable isotopes of human bone, hair and tissue). She has received numerous awards for her research and for her teaching. She teaches courses on: Human Species, Primatology, Forensic Anatomy and Death Analysis, Life and Death in Ancient Egypt, Human Osteology and Human Origins.

Since 1995 she has been involved in the Dakhleh Oasis Project in Egypt, an international multidisciplinary project whose mandate is the study of human adaptation to the harsh Saharan environment. She also participates in forensic work in Central Florida.

She is the co-author of two new books published in October. “Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches” (CRC Press, 2005) which highlights techniques used to survey, map, recover, document, collect and transport human remains from crime scenes. It also discusses the latest geophysical technologies, ground penetrating radar, etc. used in the search for clandestine burials. Her second book, “The Osteology of Infants and Children” (Texas A&M Press, 2005) focuses on juvenile skeletons, their recovery and identification. The volume provides basic descriptions and careful illustrations of each skeletal element at varying stages of development.

Dr. Dupras will be speaking at Barnes & Noble on “Life and Death in Ancient Egypt” including results from the examination of more than 3,000 burials dating from 800 BC to 300 AD. Evidence from the Dakhleh Oasis suggests that the Nile Valley civilization was born here including the idea of pyramid and sphinx. She will also be willing to answer questions about forensic anthropology in general and work with law enforcement agencies.

This program should have broad appeal to a wide variety of interests ranging from ancient history and human origins to the latest CSI fans.

Her visit here is made possible with support from the Dean of Potter College’s office.

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For more information, call: Brian Coutts at 745-6121.