Anthropology, a word that originated in Greek, has 'anthropos' and 'logy' which mean 'human' and 'the study of' respectively. To come up with a definition, anthropology is the study of humans. The study of humanity, understanding cultures, and identifying aspects of being human. There are people who conduct anthropological studies - The Anthropologists. This is a vast domain, mainly classified into physical and cultural anthropology. Physical anthropology can also be called biological anthropology. Now, let's dwell on the study that explores the unity and diversity of human cultural behaviour as exemplified in the widest variations in which this behaviour has been manifested: cultural anthropology.

The study of living civilisations and what unites and divides them is known as cultural anthropology. The documentation of the entire spectrum of human cultural achievements and adaptations is the primary goal of cultural anthropology. Sir Edward Tylor gave one of the first definitions of "culture" in anthropology, defining it as the complex whole that consists of all the skills and habits that a person acquires as a part of a society, including knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, and customs. Cultural anthropology began to have a more pluralistic view of cultures and societies in the 20th century. When individuals began to wonder which cultures are primitive and which are civilised, cultural anthropology began to flourish. Ethnologists put forth their own theories in an attempt to answer these queries. Cultural relativism was championed by these ethnologists and their pupils. Cultural relativism is the idea that an individual can only comprehend the views and actions of others within the framework of the culture in which they were raised or currently reside.

THE  FOUNDATIONAL THINKERS: Morgan contended that there were stages of cultural evolution that human cultures may fall into, ranging from savagery to barbarism to civilization. The 'Four Field Technique' was proposed by Franz Boas, the Father of American Anthropology. Its roots are in Boasian anthropology, which splits the field into four subfields: biological, linguistic, socio-cultural, and archaic.

The study of human societies and their customs and traditions, or cultural anthropology, can provide important insights to support forensic investigations. Despite not being a direct component of forensic science, this plays a significant role in forensics. Some of the ways in which cultural anthropology contributes to forensic investigations are:

Grasping customary behaviours: Forensic anthropologists can appropriately interpret rituals and traditions by having a thorough understanding of them, preventing misinterpretations that would imply foul play.
Interpreting things' language: From context to hints Cultural anthropologists can give enigmatic objects found at murder scenes additional significance and can turn symbols and artefacts into a story.
Deciphering social interactions: Investigators can reduce the number of possible suspects or victims by dissecting a culture's social hierarchies, family relationships, and gender roles.

Without cultural anthropology, the human element can be overlooked in forensic science. Translating cultural practices, symbols, and social processes that impact crime scenes, anthropologists play a translational role. In our culturally diverse society, having a larger picture aids investigators in analysing evidence, identifying suspects or victims, and ultimately solving crimes. The unique perspective of cultural anthropology will become more and more necessary as forensic science progresses.

Written by: Ms. RASHMI R, Volunteer-AFRS