September 25, 2006 Source: :
http://www.smu.ca/newsreleases/2006/09-25-25-2006.html Facing crime: Forensic anthropologist at SMU works to find missing Aboriginal Canadians While Aboriginal people are more likely to be victims of violent crime in Canada, police officers don’t have all the tools they need to solve these crimes, says forensic anthropologist Dr. Tanya Peckmann. "Until now, Aboriginal populations have been ignored by the forensic science community," says the professor from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada recently announced its support for her unique research. "Right now we can’t accurately use 3-D facial reconstruction—which is crucial to identifying missing people and skeletal remains—for people of Aboriginal ancestry." Working closely with the Membertou First Nation community in Nova Scotia, Dr. Peckmann is embarking on the world's first program to collect tissue-depth data from Aboriginal peoples—a measurement of facial thickness that differs between ethnic groups. "Tissue-depth data varies according to age, sex and ancestry," explains Dr. Peckmann. "Not knowing specific facial tissue depths for Aboriginal peoples has put them at a real disadvantage in the Canadian justice system." Dr. Peckmann’s research has the potential to crack a number of cold cases involving missing Aboriginal people. "If a child goes missing at age three, we need to project what that child will look like three years later, when the child is six, says Dr. Peckmann. "The 3-D reconstruction won't be perfectly accurate but, if we can spark a memory, we will be able to identify more missing kids and reunite them with their families." And, she notes that this research represents another important step in securing equal rights for Aboriginal peoples in Canada. "We want to put a face to these individuals, because they're not unknown, says Dr. Peckmann. "They're somebody's sister or daughter or mother and deserve to be found." Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. -30- For More Information: Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca
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