Debra Komar, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology
At UNM since 2000
Forensic Anthropologist, Office of the Medical Investigator
Anthropology Courses taught at UNM
Forensics and Crime (Anthro 251)
Human Osteology (Anthro 351)
Advanced Forensics (Anthro 463/563)
Advanced Osteology (Anthro 550)
Education
B.Sc. – University of Toronto (1994)
M.Sc. – Queen’s University (1996)
Ph.D. – University of Alberta (1999)
Thesis: “Forensic Taphonomy of a Cold Climate Region: A Field Study
From Central Alberta and A Potential New Method of Determining Time Since Death
Fieldwork
Physicians for Human Rights, Bosnia, 1999
United Nations, Kosovo, 2000
International Commission for Missing Persons, Bosnia, 2001
Regime Crimes Liaison Office/Iraqi Special Tribunal, Iraq, 2004
Scientific Advisory Team, Darfur, 2006
Selected Publications, 1996-2007
Komar D, Lathrop S, Potter W. Proposed classes of morphological autopsy findings for decomposed and skeletal remains. American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 2007; in press.
Komar, D, Potter W. Percentage of Body Recovered and its Effect on Identification Rates and Cause and Manner of Death Determination. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2007; 52(3): 528-531.
Komar D, Lathrop S. Frequencies of Morphological Features in Two Contemporary Forensic Collections: Implications for Identification. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2006: 51(5): 974-978.
Komar, D. Lessons from Srebrenica: The Contributions and Limitations of Physical Anthropology in Identifying Victims of War Crimes. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2003; 48(4): 713-716.
Komar, D. Twenty seven years of forensic anthropology casework in New Mexico. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2003; 48(3): 521-524.
Komar, D, Buikstra, JE. Differential Diagnosis of a Prehistoric Biological Object from the Koster (Illinois) site. International Journal of Osteoarcheology 2003; 13: 157-164.
Komar, D. The Use of Cadaver Air Scent Detection Dogs in Locating Scattered, Scavenged Human Remains: Preliminary Field Test Results. Journal of Forensic Sciences 1999; 44(2): 405-408.
Komar, D, Beattie, O, Dowling, G, and Bannach, B. Hangings in Alberta, with Special Reference to Outdoor Hangings with Decomposition. Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences Journal 1999; 32(2 & 3): 85-96.
Komar, D and Beattie, O. Postmortem Insect Activity May Mimic Perimortem Sexual Assault Clothing Patterns. Journal of Forensic Sciences 1998; 43(4): 792-796.
Faculty Information
