Norman J. Sauer is an American forensic anthropologist and professor emeritus of anthropology at Michigan State University (MSU).

Norman Jay Sauer
EducationState University of New York at Geneseo, Michigan State University
AwardsFellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences,[1] received their T. Dale Stewart Award in 2007[2]
Scientific career
FieldsForensic anthropology
InstitutionsMichigan State University
ThesisAn analysis of the human skeletal material from the Fletcher site (20by28), Bay City, Michigan (1974)

Education

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Sauer received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.[3]

Career

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Sauer taught in the department of anthropology at MSU from 1974 to 2012.[3] While at MSU, he co-directed their forensic anthropology track of the Forensic Science Program, and directed their Forensic Anthropology Laboratory. He retired from MSU in 2013.[1] In 2015, he was named vice president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.[4]

Work and views

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In the 2000s, Sauer identified a 200-year-old mummy that had previously been posted for sale on eBay as belonging to the University of Maryland School of Medicine. It was returned there in 2011.[5] He has also analyzed the famous photograph V-J Day in Times Square and has concluded that the sailor depicted therein is George Mendonsa (who has claimed to be this sailor).[6] He has argued that race is an invalid method of classifying humans.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Faculty/Staff". Forensic Biology Department. Michigan State University. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  2. ^ Verria, Lawrence (2012). The Kissing Sailor: The Mystery Behind the Photo That Ended World War II. Naval Institute Press. p. 173. ISBN 9781612511276.
  3. ^ a b "Faculty". Department of Anthropology website. Michigan State University. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Dr. Norman J. Sauer Named Vice President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences". Michigan State University. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  5. ^ Walker, Andrea K. (11 November 2011). "Stolen mummy to return home to UM medical school". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  6. ^ Owens, David (9 November 2012). "Sailor In Iconic VJ Day Photo Is Rhode Island Man". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  7. ^ Href, Mailto; Lawson, Willow. "Anthropologists Disagree About Race and Bones". ABC News. Retrieved 12 July 2016.