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Allysha Winburn

Biography

Dr. Allysha Winburn is an associate professor of anthropology. 

She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. A biological anthropologist with forensic and bioarchaeological expertise, her research focuses on skeletal aging and age estimation, the skeletal embodiment of structural inequity, and the ritual use of human remains.  

In addition to her work in academia, Winburn has served multiple roles in the field as a forensic anthropologist. Currently, she is the consulting forensic anthropologist for the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and Florida’s District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office. Previously, she was a forensic anthropologist for the Department of Navy, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC); forensic anthropology analyst at the University of Florida’s C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory (CAPHIL); and forensic technician with the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner Emergency Recovery of World Trade Center Remains operation.  

Winburn has held a variety of leadership roles within the field of forensic anthropology, including Quality Assurance Coordinator at the CAPHIL and Interim Project Manager for the JPAC’s “K-208 Project,” a commingled assemblage of human remains dating to the Korean War.  She is a member of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Anthropology Section, and a Registered Professional Archaeologist.

Degrees & Institutions

Winburn received a bachelor’s degree in archaeological studies from Yale University, master’s degree in anthropology from New York University, and doctorate in anthropology from the University of Florida.   

Research

Forensic Anthropology and Race

Publications

2022 Stephanie Hartley, Allysha P. Winburn, and Itiel E. Dror. Metric Forensic Anthropology 

Decisions: Reliability and Biasability of Sectioning-Point-Based Sex Estimates. Journal of Forensic Sciences 67:68-79. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14931  

 

2022 Allysha P. Winburn, Phoebe R. Stubblefield, and Susan C. Antón. Introduction to the 

Forensic Anthropology Special Issue on Diversity and Inclusion. Forensic Anthropology 5: 79-83. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2021.0023  

 

2022 Allysha P. Winburn, Sean D. Tallman, Audrey L. Scott, and Cate E. Bird. Changing the 

Mentorship Paradigm: Survey Data and Interpretations from Forensic Anthropology Practitioners. Forensic Anthropology 5:115-132. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2020.4028  

 

2022 Allysha P. Winburn, Antaya L. Jennings, Dawnie W. Steadman, and Elizabeth A. DiGangi. 

Ancestral Diversity in Skeletal Collections: Perspectives on African-American Body Donation. Forensic Anthropology 5:141-152. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2020.1023  

 

2022 Donovan Adams*, Justin Goldstein*, Mari Isa*, Jaymelee Kim*, Megan Moore*, Marin 

Pilloud*, Sean D. Tallman*, and Allysha P. Winburn*. A Conversation on Redefining 

Ethical Considerations in Forensic Anthropology. American Anthropologist. *Equal 

  1. https://doi.org/10.1111/aman.13753 

 

2021 Allysha P. Winburn and Chaunesey M.J. Clemmons. Response to Letter to the Editor 

regarding Objectivity is a Myth that Harms the Practice and Diversity of Forensic Science. Forensic Science International (FSI): Synergy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100212  

 

2021 Allysha P. Winburn and Chaunesey M.J. Clemmons. Objectivity is a Myth that Harms 

the Practice and Diversity of Forensic Science. FSI: Synergy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100196  

 

2021 Allysha P. Winburn, Chaunesey M.J. Clemmons*, Thomas A. Delgado*, Stephanie 

Hartley*, Krista E. Latham*, Marin A. Pilloud*, Sean D. Tallman*. Responding to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Vision, Mission, and Values Statements: Comments, Revisions, and Proposed Actions. FSI: Synergy. *Equal coauthors. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100197

 

2021 Sean D. Tallman, Nicolette M. Parr, and Allysha P. Winburn. Assumed Differences; 

Unquestioned Typologies: The Oversimplification of Race and Ancestry in Forensic Anthropology. Forensic Anthropology 4:73-96. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2020.0046  

 

2021 Stephanie Hartley and Allysha P. Winburn. A Hierarchy of Expert Performance as 

Applied to Forensic Anthropology. Journal of Forensic Sciences 66:1617-1626. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14761  

 

2021 Aubrie Sanchez, Sean D. Tallman, Allysha P. Winburn, and Joshua Stefanik. The Effects 

of Orthopedic Pathologies on the Prevalence of Hip Osteoarthritis. Homo 72:183-203. DOI: 10.1127/homo/2021/1329 

 

2021 Allysha P. Winburn and Bridget F.B. Algee-Hewitt. Evaluating Population Affinity 

Estimates in Forensic Anthropology: Insights from the Forensic Anthropology Database for Assessing Methods Accuracy (FADAMA). Journal of Forensic Sciences 66:1210-12:19. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14731  

 

2019 Allysha P. Winburn, Michala K. Stock. Reconsidering Osteoarthritis as a Skeletal 

Indicator of Age at Death. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 170:459-473. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23914  

 

2019 Carme Rissech, Allysha P. Winburn, Marta San-Millán, Jaume Sastre, Jairo Rocha. The 

Acetabulum as an Adult Age Marker and the New IDADE2 (the IDADE2 Web Page). American Journal of Physical Anthropology 169:757-764. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23856  

 

2019 Allysha P. Winburn. Validation of the Acetabulum as a Skeletal Indicator of Age at 

Death in Modern European-Americans. Journal of Forensic Sciences 64:989-1003. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13972

 

2018 Allysha P. Winburn Subjective with a Capital S? Issues of Objectivity in Forensic Anthropology. In Forensic Anthropology: Theoretical Framework and Scientific Basis, 1st Edition (Cliff and Donna Boyd, editors). Chapter 2, pp. 21-37. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Hoboken, NJ.

 

2017 Michala K. Stock, Allysha P. Winburn, George H. Burgess. Skeletal Indicators of Shark 

Feeding on Human Remains: Evidence from Florida Forensic Anthropology Cases. Journal of Forensic Sciences 62:1647-1654. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13470  

 

2017 Allysha P. Winburn, Katie M. Rubin, Carrie B. LeGarde, Janet E. Finlayson. Use of 

Qualitative and Quantitative Techniques in the Resolution of a Small-Scale Medicolegal Case of Commingled Human Remains. Florida Scientist 80:24-37. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44202492  

 

2017 Allysha P. Winburn, Raphael Martinez, Sarah Schoff. Afro-Cuban Ritual Use of Human Remains: Medicolegal Considerations. Journal of Forensic Identification 67:1-30.

 

2016 Allysha P. Winburn, Sarah K. Schoff, Michael W. Warren. Assemblages of the Dead: 

Interpreting the Biocultural and Taphonomic Signature of Afro-Cuban Palo Practice in Florida. Journal of African Diaspora Archaeology and Heritage 5:1-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/21619441.2016.1138760  

Keywords: forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, human osteology, human evolution, skeletal biology, medicolegal, medical examiner, age at death, age estimation, aging, arthritis