Instructor Biographies:

Eric Bartlink, PhD: Physical Anthropology  

Dr. Bartelink is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at California State University, Chico.  He is a physical anthropologist with academic interests in human skeletal biology, forensic anthropology, and stable isotope analysis. His expertise is in bioarchaeology, paleodietary reconstruction using stable isotope analysis, forensic anthropology, and California prehistory.  He worked on international forensic cases in Bosnia-Herzegovina and work on the World Trade Center victim identification effort.  He has taught numerous courses and given lectures concerning the identification of human remains, forensic anthropology, excavation methods, and locating clandestine graves.  

Turhon Murad, PhD, DABFA: Physical Anthropology

Dr. Murad is currently a professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology at California State University, Chico.  He is a physical anthropologist with academic interests in skeletal biology and forensic anthropology.  He is an active member of the forensic community and a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology.  He has worked with local and federal law enforcement on cases from around the western United States and developed the Human Identification Lab at CSU-Chico.

Roland Wessling, MSc: Forensic Archaeology

 Roland Wessling is a forensic archaeologist who specializes in the scientific excavation and investigation of mass graves.  He is a Research Officer in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield University (UK), and is the Forensic Science and Operations Director for the Inforce Foundation. He has worked on international cases in Bosnia, Croatia, and Iraq as well as domestic cases in Germany and the UK. He has run forensic training workshops and has been a guest lecturer in Germany, the UK, and in the US.

Melanie Beasley, MA: Physical Anthropology

Melanie Beasley recently graduated from CSU, Chico and is currently teaching Physical Anthropology at Butte Community College.  She has worked for CRM firms in California for the past six years as an archaeologist and osteologist.  She has assisted on the recoveries of human remains for law enforcement and organized training workshops in the identification of human versus non-human bone. 

Kevin Dalton, BA: Anthropology

Kevin Dalton is the CSU Chico Archaeological Lab Supervisor and a graduate student in the Anthropology Department.  He has worked as an archaeologist throughout Northern California and in Tanzania.  In the past, Dalton was the Lab Supervisor for the Chico Human Identification Lab and worked closely with law enforcement to recover and analyze human remains.