Derek Boyd

Derek Boyd leverages his expertise as a biological anthropologist and forensic consultant to address complex questions of health and identification in historical and modern contexts. After earning his M.A. from California State University, Chico in 2016, Derek Boyd went on to complete his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2022, specializing as a biological anthropologist with a minor in Epidemiology.

His academic foundation, which began with a B.A. from California State University, Fullerton in 2013, has cultivated a specialized focus on human phenotypic (skeletal) variation. This expertise is leveraged to address complex questions of health and identification, spanning both archaeological and forensic investigations with an overarching goal of improving health outcomes in contemporary populations. Dr.

Boyd further solidified his practical expertise through intensive training at the Human Identification Lab at California State University-Chico and the Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He completed impactful internships with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, gaining direct experience in high-stakes forensic contexts. This hands-on training built a robust skill set in applying anthropological principles to real-world identification challenges.

Beyond his academic contributions, Dr. Boyd is a practicing forensic anthropologist. He currently consults for the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Las Vegas, NV, applying his specialized expertise in trauma analysis, biological profiling, and Bayesian inference to complex forensic cases. His consultation experience also includes providing anthropological services to the Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the Hamilton County Medical Examiner in Chattanooga, TN.