Jennifer Byrnes, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Forensic Anthropology at the University of Hawaii – West Oahu. Dr. Byrnes received her B.S. in Biology (2006) from the State University of New York, College at Geneseo. She earned her M.A. (2009) and Ph.D. in Anthropology (2015) from the Sate University of New York at Buffalo.
Dr. Byrnes’ primary area of research is social theory and bioarchaeology. Her research focuses on interpreting traumatic injury impairment and disability in order to better understand past human behavior and societies. Additionally, she has research interests in determining ancestry from the mandible and examining Pacific Islander skeletal traits to help identify ancestry in cases of unknown human remains in Hawaii.
Dr. Byrnes has edited a volume in bioarchaeology and disability, and has published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences on various anthropology research projects. She has consulted in death investigations, and has assisted with the recovery of a plane clash. She was a Visiting Scientist for the Forensic Anthropology unit of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in New York City. As well, she was a Fellow in the Forensic Science Academy at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (formerly known as the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command).