Forensic anthropology involves the identification of individuals from skeletal remains. However, there is a lack of information surrounding the assessment and identification of remains belonging to transgender and non-conforming people. This research has a threefold purpose: to identify medical interventions and procedures for transgender people, to determine what evidence of these medical interventions and procedures can be documented on the human skeleton, and to apply this information to a forensic anthropological setting for the identification of an individual. In order to fulfill these purposes, thorough research was conducted through the examination of various scholarly sources. The information from these sources was then combined and utilized to understand the procedure behind surgeries, the potential effects on the skeleton, and the relevance to forensic anthropology. The literature review showed that hormones and multiple masculinizing and feminizing surgeries could alter the patient’s bone tissue. Therefore, forensic anthropologists need to be aware of these medical interventions and procedures and their corresponding alterations to improve the identification of transgender individuals.

Mae would like to thank Dr. Mary Vermilion for all of her help and guidance through the entire process of this research project.