Necro-Forensic Spectrum: Employing Necropolitics in Forensic Anthropological Practice and Research

Abstract

Several forensic anthropologists have moved toward engaging with both social theory and advocacy for social justice in recent years. Necropolitical theory has been the object of some attention in this realm, primarily in the context of human rights violations. However, explorations of marrying forensic anthropological practices with necropolitics have not accounted for the theoretical origin of the latter as defined by Mbembe. Further, there is a lack of clarity on how the framework relates to similar theories that have been applied to forensic casework, such as structural violence and (recently) structural vulnerability. Here we discuss the philosophical origin and evolution of necropolitics and related theories, focusing on how they correspond with postmortem analyses. We conclude with a schematic of how and in what context forensic anthropologists can incorporate necro-theories in our work to better engage with social justice and advocacy for the communities we serve—communities of survivors, mourners, and families of the dead.