Today we have seen how popular crime dramas are on TV and their use of forensic anthropology in solving these crimes. Research two or more topics (as facial recognition, DNA sampling or the body farm). In your description, describe what they are used for, their importance and development along with how anthropology has helped change the way we solve crimes.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Evolution of Forensic Anthropology in Crime Investigations
Introduction
In recent years, crime dramas featuring forensic anthropology have surged in popularity, captivating audiences with their use of advanced scientific techniques to solve crimes. This essay explores two significant topics within forensic anthropology – facial recognition and DNA sampling – and their development, importance, and impact on crime investigations. Furthermore, it delves into how anthropology has revolutionized the way we solve crimes.
Facial Recognition
Facial recognition technology utilizes biometric data to identify individuals by analyzing unique facial features. In the realm of forensic anthropology, facial recognition plays a crucial role in crime investigations by aiding in suspect identification, victim identification, and missing persons cases.
Importance and Development
Facial recognition technology has significantly advanced over the years, driven by the need for accurate identification in criminal investigations. It has become an invaluable tool for law enforcement agencies worldwide, providing a non-invasive and efficient means of identifying individuals. The development of sophisticated algorithms and machine learning techniques has enhanced the accuracy and speed of facial recognition systems, making them indispensable in solving crimes.
Anthropology’s Contribution
Anthropology has played a vital role in the development and application of facial recognition technology within forensic investigations. Anthropologists contribute their expertise in understanding facial morphology, variation, and the underlying biological factors that influence facial features. By collaborating with technologists and computer scientists, anthropologists provide crucial input to ensure accurate identification based on facial characteristics.
DNA Sampling
DNA sampling is the process of collecting genetic material from individuals or crime scenes to analyze and compare DNA profiles. This technique has revolutionized forensic investigations by providing irrefutable evidence, establishing links between suspects and crime scenes, and identifying victims.
Importance and Development
DNA sampling has transformed the field of forensic science since its inception. It is a powerful tool for solving crimes as DNA profiles are unique to each individual (except identical twins), making it highly reliable for identification purposes. Over the years, DNA sampling techniques have become more sensitive, accurate, and faster, allowing investigators to obtain valuable evidence from trace amounts of DNA.
Anthropology’s Contribution
Anthropology has been instrumental in the development and application of DNA sampling within forensic investigations. Anthropologists contribute their knowledge of human genetics, population genetics, and the study of genetic variation to ensure accurate interpretation of DNA profiles. They also aid in understanding the geographical distribution of genetic markers, which helps establish links between individuals and their ethnic backgrounds.
Impact on Crime Investigations
The integration of forensic anthropology techniques, such as facial recognition and DNA sampling, has transformed the way we solve crimes. These advancements have several significant impacts:
- Enhanced Accuracy: By utilizing facial recognition technology and DNA sampling, investigators can establish accurate identifications with a higher degree of certainty. This minimizes the risk of false identifications and helps ensure justice is served.
- Increased Efficiency: Forensic anthropology techniques have expedited the process of identifying suspects, victims, and missing persons. Facial recognition technology allows for rapid analysis and comparison of facial features, while DNA sampling provides conclusive evidence in a timely manner.
- Solving Cold Cases: Facial recognition and DNA sampling have breathed new life into cold cases that have long remained unsolved. By re-examining evidence using these techniques, investigators can identify previously unknown suspects or victims, bringing closure to families and justice to victims.
- Humanitarian Applications: The use of facial recognition and DNA sampling extends beyond crime investigations. These techniques have been employed in disaster victim identification, mass casualty incidents, and efforts to locate missing persons during natural disasters or conflicts.
Conclusion
Forensic anthropology, with its incorporation of facial recognition and DNA sampling techniques, has revolutionized crime investigations. The accurate identification of suspects, victims, and missing persons is now more efficient than ever before. The collaboration between anthropology and technology has advanced facial recognition and DNA sampling, allowing for enhanced accuracy, increased efficiency, and the resolution of cold cases. As forensic science continues to evolve, it is crucial to recognize the essential role that anthropology plays in shaping the future of crime investigations.
