STEVEN A. SYMES, PhD, DABFA
Curriculum Vitae
July 2003
New Address
Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute
Mercyhurst College
501 East 38th Str.
Erie, PA 16546-0001
Office Phone: 814/824-3369Cell: 814/270-9458
Adjunct Faculty Address
College of Nursing, University of Tennessee
Department of Forensic Pathology, Regional Forensic Center
1060 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104-2106
Office Phone: 901/544-7203
Degrees/Certification
February 1997Board Certified: Diplomate American Board Forensic Anthropology
May 1992PhD in Physical Anthropology
Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
August 1983MA Degree in Physical Anthropology
Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
May 1976BA Degree in Anthropology, and History
The University of South Dakota, Vermillion
Professional Experience
2003-Assistant Professor, Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute, Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA. Duties include involvement in a new MA program in Physical/Forensic Anthropology and a BS in applied Forensic Sciences.
2003-Adjunct Faculty, College of Nursing and the forensic Pathology Department, University of Tennessee, Memphis
1998-2003Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee, Memphis
1993-1998Instructor, Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee, Memphis
1987-Forensic Anthropologist, Scientist, Shelby County Regional Forensic Center, Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee, Memphis
1986-1987Forensic Anthropologist and Morgue Director for Davidson County Metropolitan Nashville, Medical Examiners Office
1985-1987Head Physical Anthropologist for the excavation, analysis and final report for:
•Big Lazer Creek Cemetery excavation, Talbot County, Ga,19th century graves;Garrow & Associates
•Nancy Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery relocation in Atlanta, GA, 19th and 20th century graves; Garrow & Associates
•Unnamed Cemetery at Cockrill Bend Bridge, Briley Parkway, Davidson County, Tennessee; Tennessee State Archaeologist
•Physical Anthropologist: Cypress Grove II historic cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana. 19th-20th century graves; Dr. Doug Owsley, Smithsonian Institution
1980-1986 Forensic Anthropology Assistant to Dr. William M. Bass, State Forensic Anthropologist, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
1980-1986Director, thin-section laboratory, Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee
1985Collections Curator of the Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee
1982-1985Skeletal analyses of the W.H. Over human skeletal collection from South Dakota. Dr. Douglas Owsley; National Science Foundation Funding
1980-1985Graduate Teaching Assistantship with the Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee
1981-1984Arikara Indian skeletal data collection, Smithsonian Institution; Dr. Douglas Owsley; funded by the National Science Foundation
1976-1978 Archaeologist, employed by the South Dakota State Archaeologist; Archaeological Research Center, Ft. Meade, SD
Principle Service/Research Interests
Human skeletal biology and skeletal anatomy. Due to my specialization, I am best recognized for forensic tool mark and fracture pattern interpretation. This includes:
•special expertise in saw marks in bone
•blunt force trauma•sharp force trauma
•burned bone trauma•ballistic trauma
Other areas of interests/research include:
•taphonomical influences of recent, historic and prehistoric skeletons
•bony response to trauma, histological and gross
•healing bone in infants and adults
•recognition and interpretation of child abuse skeleton trauma in radiology and autopsy
Publications
Symes, Steven A., O. C. Smith, Hugh E. Berryman, and Elayne J. Pope
2003Patterned Thermal Destruction of Human Remains. Edited volume Honoring the 30th Anniversary of the T. D. Stewart Personal Identification In Mass Disasters. Eds. Thomas Holland and Robert Mann. Sponsored by the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, and the Smithsonian Institution.
In progress (see Papers presented below)
Berryman, Hugh E. and Steven A. Symes
2003Differentiating Perimortem from Postmortem Fractures in Bone. Edited volume Honoring the 30th Anniversary of the T. D. Stewart Personal Identification In Mass Disasters. Eds. Thomas Holland and Robert Mann. Sponsored by the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, and the Smithsonian Institution.
In progress (see Papers presented below)
Symes, Steven A., John A. Williams, Elizabeth A. Murray, J. Michael Hoffman, Thomas D. Holland, Julie Saul, Frank Saul , and Elayne J. Pope
2002Taphonomical Context of Sharp Trauma in Suspected Cases of Human Mutilation and Dismemberment. In Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory and Archaeological perspectives. William D. Haglund and Marcella H. Sorg, eds, CRC Press, New York.
Smith, O. C., Elayne J. Pope, and Steven A. Symes
2003Look Until You See: Identification of Trauma in Skeletal Material. In Hard Evidence: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology. Dawnie Steadman, Ed. Prentice Hall.
Symes, S. A., C. Ferraro, S. B. Patton, O. C. Smith, A. M. Kroman
2002From Caffey (1946) to Kempe (1962): Historical Perspectives of the Recognition of Child Abuse. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:246-247.
Symes, S. A., S. B. Patton, T. A. Campbell, C. D. Gardner, O. C. Smith, T. P. Sutton, C. Mallak, and A. M. Kroman
2002Child Abuse: It’s All in the Recognition. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:251-252.
Ferraro, C., O. C. Smith, S. A. Symes, C. D. Gardner, T. A. Campbell
2002The Child Abuse Works of Ambroise Tardieu…..Had We Only Taken French. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:209-210.
Pope, Elayne J., Steven A. Symes, O. C. Smith
2002Burning Observations of the Head: An Experimental Model. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:225-226.
Ferraro, C, O. C. Smith, S. A. Symes, C. D. Gardner, T. A. Campbell
2002Coming of Age in Memphis. . .How Our Children Die. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:210-211.
Saul, Frank P, Julie Mather Saul, Sandra Anderson, Steven A Symes, Cheryl L Loewe, James R Patrick, Steven K. Lorch
2002Homicide for the Holidays: Linkage Through Multidisciplinary Teamwork. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:220.
Patton, S. B., S. A. Symes, O. C. Smith, T. A. Campbell, C. D. Gardner
2002Diagnostic Imaging of Child Abuse: A Comparison of Radiographic Views to Detect Rib Fracture. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:247-248.
Smith, O. C., S. A. Symes, C. D. Gardner, T.A. Campbell, S. B. Patton, C. Ferraro
2002Child Abuse Autopsy Techniques……What Works for Us. . Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:211-212.
Kroman , A. M., S. A. Symes , O. C. Smith, J.C. Love, H. H. Mincer, and J.W. Lemmon
2002The Hidden Truth: Mandibular Condyle Fractures in Child Abuse. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:250.
Dirkmaat, D.C., S.A. Symes, E. Vey, and O.C. Smith
2002Recognizing Child Abuse in the Thoracic Region through a Multidisciplinary Approach.Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:248-249.
Waldrip, Ed B., Ted A. Rathbun, Steven A. Symes
2002 Human Skeleton Found in a Chimney: A Misidentification Corrected and an Opportunity to Reevaluate Methods of Superimposition. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 8:242-243.
Williamson, M.A., C.A. Johnston, S.A. Symes, J.J. Schultz
2002Ambush at Ft. Laurens: Interpersonal conflict between Colonial Period Native Americans and Europeans in Ohio. Paper submitted for publication to the American Association of Physical Anthropology.
Symes, Steven A., Jennifer C. Love, Anne M. Kroman
2002Morphology of Saw Marks in Human Bone: A Laboratory Manual of Class Characteristic Identification. Department of Anthropology Press, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In progress (see Papers presented below)
Smith, O. C., MD, Steven A. Symes, PhD, Elayne J. Pope, MA, Cynthia Gardner MD
2001Burning Observations I: Identification of Normal Human Anatomical Patterns in a Thermal Event. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 7:214.
Pope, Elayne J. MA, Steven A. Symes PhD, O. C. Smith MD, Cynthia Gardner MD
2001Burning Observations II: Analysis of Color Patterns. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 7:277-278.
Symes, Steven A., PhD, Elayne J. Pope, MA, O. C. Smith, MD, Cynthia D. Gardner, MD, Lauren A. Zephro, MA
2001Burning Observations III: Analysis of Fracture Patterns in Burned Human Remains. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 7:278.
Symes, Steven A, E. J. Pope, Cynthia D. Gardner, Wendy Gunther, O. C. Smith, and T. Paulette Sutton
2000Sharp Trauma Analysis in Tissues Other Than Skin, Bone and Cartilage: a Case Study Analysis Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Gunther, W. M., S. A. Symes, and H. E. Berryman
2000Characteristics of Child Abuse by Anteroposterior Manual Compression Versus Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Three Case Reports. Amer. J. For. Med. Path.
Galloway, A., S. A. Symes, W. D. Haglund and D. L. France
1999The role of forensic anthropology in trauma analysis. IN Broken Bones, Allison Galloway, ed. C. C. Thomas, 5-31.
Steven A Symes, PhD, O. C., Smith, MD, C. D. Gardner, MD, J. T. Francisco, MD, G. A. Horton
1999Anthropological and Pathological Analyses of Sharp Trauma in Autopsy. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 5:177-178.
Gardner, Cynthia D., H. Mincer, O. C., Smith, and Steven A Symes
1999Application of Epiluminescence Microscopy. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 5:139-140.
Smith, O. C., Steven A Symes and James Fraser
1999An engineering approach to aircraft mishap autopsies. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 5:199.
Symes, Steven A. and O. C. Smith
1998It takes two: combining disciplines of pathology and physical anthropology to get the rest of the story. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 4:208.
Smith, O.C., Steven A. Symes, Cynthia D. Gardner
1998Application of epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) to forensic pathology. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 4:158-159.
Smith, O. C., Suzanne P. Steel, and Steven A. Symes
1998Detection and identification of metallic bullet residues in skeletal trauma. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 4:168.
Symes, Steven A., Hugh E. Berryman, and O.C. Smith
1998Saw marks in bone: introduction and examination of residual kerf contour. IN Forensic Osteology II. Kathleen J. Reichs, ed. C.C. Thomas, Springfield, IL.
Murray, Elizabeth and Steven A. Symes
1998Bony trauma inflicted on a human skull in an attempt to preclude identification. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 4:209-210.
Hugh E. Berryman, Steven A. Symes
1998Recognizing gunshot and blunt cranial trauma through fracture interpretation. IN Forensic Osteology II, Advances in the Identification of Human Remains . Kathleen J. Reichs, ed. C.C. Thomas, Springfield, IL.
Berryman, Hugh E., William A. Bass, Steven A. Symes, and O’Brian C. Smith
1997Recognition of Cemetery Remains in the Forensic Setting. Chapter in Forensic Taphonomy: The Post-Mortem Fate of Human Remains, edited by William D. Haglund and Marcella H. Sorg, CRC Press, New York.
Berryman, H. E., O. C. Smith, and S. A. Symes
1995Diameter of Cranial Gunshot Wounds as a Function of Bullet Caliber, Journal of Forensic Sciences 40(5):751-754.
Smith, O’Brian C., Lee Jantz, Hugh E. Berryman, and Steven A. Symes
1993Effects of Human Decomposition on Bullet Striations, J. For. Sci. 38(3):593-598.
Smith, O’Brian C., Lee Jantz, Hugh E. Berryman, Steven A. Symes, M. M. LeVaughn
1993Identification of Gunpowder in Healed Wounds, Journal of Forensic Sciences 38(3):739-741.
Smith, O’Brian C., Hugh E. Berryman, and Steven A. Symes
1993The Meaning of Accessory Projectile, Journal of Forensic Sciences 38(2):484-488.
Smith, O’Brian C., Hugh E. Berryman, Steven A. Symes, Jerry T. Francisco, and Violette Hnilica
1993Atypical Gunshot Exit Defects to the Cranial Vault. J. of Forensic Sciences 38(2):339-343.
Smith, O’Brian C., Steven A. Symes, Hugh E. Berryman, and Mark M. LeVaughn
1993Characteristic Features of Entrance Wounds from Hollow-Point Bullets. Journal of Forensic
Sciences 38(2):323-326.
Symes, Steven A.
1992Morphology of Saw Marks in Human Bone: Identification of Class Characteristics. PhD Dissertation, Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Berryman, Hugh E., William M. Bass, Steven A. Symes, and O. C. Smith
1991Recognition of Cemetery Remains in the Forensic Setting. Journal of Forensic Sciences 36(1): 230-237.
Berryman, H.E., S.A. Symes, W.M. Bass, and O.C. Smith
1991 Identification of Embalmed Bodies in a Forensic Setting, Journal of Forensic Sciences 36(1):230-237.
Smith, O.C., H.E. Berryman, S.A. Symes, and L. Meadows
1990 Detrimental Effects of Cleansing or Sterilizing on Bullet Striations, Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners Journal, 22(2):129-135.
Mann, Robert W., William M. Bass, and Steven A. Symes
1987 Maxillary suture obliteration: Aging the human skeleton based on intact or fragmentary maxilla. Journal of Forensic Sciences 32:148-157.
Symes, Steven A.
1983 Harris lines as indicators of stress: An Analysis of Tibiae from Crow Creek Massacre Victims. Masters Thesis, Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
Boyd, C. Clifford Jr., Patti A. Driscoll, and Steven A. Symes
1983 Analysis of the skeletal remains from the Brown Site (40MU260), Maury County, Tennessee Anthropologist, 8:50-66.
Owsley, Douglas W. and Steven A. Symes
1983Morphological differences between Mandan and historic Arikara Crania. Plains Anthropologist, 26:49-56.
Papers/Posters/Workshops Presented
Symes, Steven A. William Bass, Ted Rathbun, Hugh Berryman, Betty Pat Gatliff, Ed Waldrip
2001Forensic Anthropology and the investigation of violent crime. Oct 31-Nov 2, New Orleans
Symes, Steven A.
2000 Analysis of Sharp Force Trauma in Autopsy. Paper presented to the Forensic Pathology Specialty Conference for the U.S. and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
Johnston, Cheryl A. and Steven A. Symes
2000 Studies in Hopewell Cremation Practices: The Raymond Ater Mound. Paper presented to Annual BARFAA Meeting, Columbia, MO.
Kroman, Anne M., Steven A. Symes, and David W. Frayer
2000Another Stab in the Dark: A Re-evaluation of Sharp Trauma. Paper presented to Annual BARFAA Meeting, Columbia, MO.
Williamson, M.A., C.A. Johnston, S.A. Symes, J.J. Schultz
2000Ambush at Ft. Laurens: Interpersonal conflict between Colonial Period Native Americans and Europeans in Ohio. Paper submitted for presentation to the American Association of Physical Anthropology.
Symes, Steven A., O. C. Smith, Hugh E. Berryman, and Elayne J. Pope
1999 Patterned Thermal Destruction of Human Remains. Paper presented to the 30th Anniversary Edition of the T. D. Stewart Personal Identification In Mass Disasters. Sponsored by the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Berryman, Hugh E. and Steven A. Symes
1999 Differentiating Perimortem from Postmortem Fractures in Bone. Paper presented to the 30th Anniversary Edition of the T. D. Stewart Personal Identification In Mass Disasters. Sponsored by the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Symes, Steven A., Elayne J. Pope, O.C. Smith and Hugh E. Berryman
1999 Burned Bone: Looking a Little Closer. Paper presented to the 13th annual Mountain, Swamp and Beach Meeting of practicing Forensic Anthropologists. Columbia, SC.
Gunther, Wendy M., Steven A. Symes, James Baker, W. R. Oliver, David Alford
1999 Quality in Forensic Pathology and Other Image Documentation: Standards for the Coming Century. Workshop presented to American Academy of Forensic Sciences 5:16-17.
Francisco, J. T., H. E. Berryman, and S. A. Symes
1998 Recovery and analysis of fragmented remains: The West Tennessee Approach. Paper presented in the Anthropology and Pathology/Biology Multi-disciplinary Session for the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, San Francisco, CA.
Johnson, C. A., M. Williamson, S.A. Symes, J. Schultz
1998 Trauma in colonial period military personnel: The Fort Laurens, Ohio skeletal sample. Paper presented to the annual meeting of the Ohio Archaeological Council, October 9, Toledo, OH.
Murray, Elizabeth and Steven A. Symes
1998 Bony trauma inflicted on a human skull in an attempt to preclude identification. Paper presented to the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, San Francisco, CA.
Smith, O. C., S. A. Symes, T. D. Henderson
1997 Torture and testimony in criminal homicides: Recognition and application. Paper presented to the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, New York, NY
Symes, Steven A., Hugh E. Berryman and O.C. Smith
1997 Different aspects of sharp trauma analysis: working with Forensic Pathologists. Paper presented to the 11th annual Mountain, Swamp and Beach Meeting of practicing Forensic Anthropologists. Chattanooga, TN.
Smith, O. C., T. P. Sutton, B. L. Stacks, S. A. Symes, T.A. Deering
1997Firing Sequence in a Homicide-Suicide: Who Shot Whom? Poster presented to the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, New York City, NY.
Symes, S. A., O. C. Smith, H. E. Berryman, C.E. Peters, L. A. Rockhold, S. J. Haun, J. T. Francisco, and T. P. Sutton
1996 Bones: Bullets, Burns, Bludgeons, Blunderers, And Why. Bone Trauma Workshop presented to the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Nashville, TN.
Berryman, H.E., S. A. Symes, and J.T. Francisco
1995 Yellow jack, the saffron scourge: a review of the 1878 yellow fever epidemic in Memphis, Paper presented to the Last Word Society at the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Nashville, TN.
Berryman, Hugh E., O. C. Smith, Susan J. Haun, and Steven A. Symes
1995 The effects of metal jacketed and hollow point bullets on entrance defect diameter in cranial bone. Paper presented to the 47th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Seattle, WA
Symes, Steven A., Hugh E. Berryman, and O. C. Smith,
1994 Large Carnivore Scavenging on Bone: Separating Taphonomic Features from Perimortem Fractures of Bone. Paper presented to the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, San Antonio, TX.
Berryman, Hugh E., O. C. Smith, and Steven A. Symes
1994 Cranial gunshot entrance wound diameter as a function of Bullet Caliber. Paper presented to the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, San Antonio, TX.
Symes, Steven A.
1994 Forensic Anthropology: What is the State of the Art (Science)? Paper presented to the 4th Annual Western Kentucky Regional Forensic Science Conference, Madisonville, KY.
Symes, Steven A., Hugh E. Berryman, O.C. Smith, and C. Blake
1992Saw Dismemberment of Human Bone: Characteristics Indicative of Saw Class and Type Paper presented to the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, New Orleans, LA.
Smith, O.C., H. E. Berryman, S A. Symes, J.T. Francisco, and V. S. Hnilica
1992 Atypical gunshot exit defects to the cranial vault. Paper presented to the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, New Orleans, LA.
Berryman, Hugh E., Harry Mincer, S A. Symes, O.C. Smith, and S.J. Moore
1992 The length of perimortem internal in dental fracture. Paper presented to the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, New Orleans, LA.
Symes, Steven A., Hugh E. Berryman and O.C. Smith
1991 Biomechanics of Bone Fracture: Skull and long bones. Workshop presented to the 5th annual Mountain, Swamp and Beach Meeting of practicing Forensic Anthropologists. Knoxville, TN.
Smith, O. C., Hugh E. Berryman, Steven A. Symes, and S. J. Moore,
1991 Bone Fracture I: The Physics of Fractures. Paper presented to the 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Anaheim, CA.
Berryman, Hugh E., Steven A. Symes, O. C. Smith, and S. J. Moore
1991 Bone Fracture II: Gross Examination of Fractures. Paper presented to the 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Anaheim, CA.
Symes, Steven A., O. C. Smith, Hugh E. Berryman, and S. J. Moore
1991 Bone Fracture III: Microscopic Fracture Analysis of Bone. Paper presented to the 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Anaheim, CA.
Symes, Steven A., C. H. Lahren, and F. K. King, Jr.
1990 Saw Dismemberment: A Slice of Life. Paper presented to the 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Cincinnati, OH.
Berryman, Hugh E., O. C. Smith, and Steven A. Symes
1990Biomechanics of Fracture Production. Paper presented to the 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Cincinnati, OH.
Smith, O. C., Hugh E. Berryman and Steven A. Symes
1990Changing Role for the Forensic Anthropologist. Paper presented to the 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Cincinnati, OH.
Symes, Steven A. and Hugh E. Berryman,
1989Dismemberment and mutilation: General saw type determination from cut surfaces of bone. Paper presented to the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Las Vegas, NV.
Symes, S. A., M. G. Guilbeau, A. B. Falsetti, C. W. Harlan, and L. Hutton
1988 Saw Marks On Bone: The Cutting Edge. Paper presented to the Southern Association of Forensic Scientists, Spring Meeting, Memphis, TN.
Symes, S. A., M. G. Guilbeau, A. B. Falsetti, C. W. Harlan