Amanda Hale, Ph.D.
Hale, a forensic anthropologist with international board certification, specializes in the identification of U.S. service members from past conflicts.
Amanda Hale, Ph.D., is a practicing forensic anthropologist with a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University and a Level II Board Certification from the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe. She is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and on the editorial board of the Journal of Forensic Sciences. For the last six years, she has served at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, as a forensic anthropologist responsible for accounting for U.S. service members lost from past conflicts. More recently, she served as the Korean War Identification Project Lead, the largest commingled assemblage of human skeletal remains at the DPAA.
Q&A with Amanda Hale
Where did you grow up? Can you tell us a little about your educational journey?
I grew up in southern Louisiana and Mississippi before attending the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where I earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology. After receiving my undergraduate degrees, I received my master's in bioarchaeology from North Carolina State University. At this point, research in forensic anthropology became my primary interest in the discipline, and I spent some time coordinating a National Institute of Justice grant that studied juvenile and fetal decomposition before beginning my Ph.D. in biology (forensic science) at North Carolina State University. My dissertation, which investigated craniofacial variation across primate genera, was successfully completed in 2023.
When did you first fall in love with your field of study? What made you decide to work in academia?
My interest in my field of study developed gradually through numerous experiences. I developed a deep interest in the field of forensic science in high school while interning at a forensic center in Louisiana. Later, in college, I discovered anthropology and was absolutely fascinated. Discovering that forensic anthropology brought together both of my interests really cemented my decision to pursue a career in forensic anthropology. As research in this field has been of primary interest to me, returning to academia to establish a research program and bring my knowledge and experience to the classroom is a truly exceptional opportunity for me.
What attracted you to VCU? What are you most excited about in regards to VCU and Richmond?
I was drawn to VCU for several reasons. First, the position was ideal for someone in my field, and it offered an attractive setup that combined teaching, research and service. Additionally, VCU was geographically appealing to me and my family. We spent 10 years in Raleigh, North Carolina, and thoroughly enjoyed our time in that part of the country. This brings us back there. Lastly, the faculty and staff in the Department of Forensic Science were very warm and welcoming and have been extremely helpful during this transition.
Can you tell us either a quirky fact about yourself or some of your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, baking bread, and paddleboarding.