Courtney Astrom is a forensic anthropologist who received her MSc in Forensic Anthropology from the University of Central Lancashire in 2016. She has extensive experience in bioarchaeology, osteology, and forensic anthropology through programs in Poland, Illinois, and Peru. Astrom has worked as a teaching assistant and tutor, presented research at conferences, and volunteered her skills at her university. She is proficient in anthropological identification techniques, decomposition processes, and crime scene investigation procedures.

1. Courtney Fiona Astrom
Permanent Address: Current Address:
165 Memorial Lane 47 Trafford Street
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, USA Preston, Lancashire PR1 7YA, UK
Phone (USA): +1 (856) 287-5986 Phone (UK): +44 07938 261187
Email: courtneyastrom93@gmail.com
Education and Qualifications
2015-2016 University of Central Lancashire (Preston, UK)
MSc with Distinction in Forensic Anthropology
Dissertation: Conducted original research on the topic of comparative projectile trauma.
Modules:
Developmental Anatomy: The features and development of the skeletal
elements from conception to adult morphology. Seven weeks (six hours
lecture, six hours lab required for each week).
Forensic Anthropology: Methods and Context: Methods of identification
(sex, age, race, and stature estimation) using skeletal elements. Learned
to identify various types of pathology as well as ante-mortem, peri-
mortem, and post-mortem trauma/damage. Eight weeks (six hours lecture,
six hours lab required for each week).
Forensic Taphonomy: Decomposition process and how it can be used in
locating buried remains and estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI).
Participated in various activities at the university’s taphonomic facilities,
the Taphonomic Research in Anthropology: Centre for Experimental
Studies (TRACES). 15 weeks (four hours lecture required for each week).
Crime Scene Investigation and the Anthropologist: Procedures for
recovering and processing evidence from a crime scene. Participated in a
three day exercise involving the location, excavation, and exhumation of a
clandestine multiple-burial grave. 15 weeks (two hours lecture and three
hours practical required for each week).
The Expert Witness in the Legal Process: How to present evidence in
court as an expert witness. Presented anthropological evidence in a moot
court trial. 15 weeks (two hours lecture required for each week).
Research Methods: Methods for utilising various resources to conduct
research, providing proper citation for sources used, and presenting the
research in a meaningful way. Second semester focused on the use of
statistical analysis in scientific research with the statistical computer
program “R”. 29 weeks (two hours per week).

2. 2014 Slavia Field School in Mortuary Archaeology (Drawsko, Poland)
Summary: Three-week bioarchaeology program teaching proper skeletal excavation
techniques as well as labeling and inventory procedures with excavated
remains. Eight hours in the field or lab (as needed) Monday through Friday.
Staff: Dr. Marek Polcyn
Final grade: A
2013 Arizona State University Field School (ASUFS) (Kampsville, IL)
Summary: Six-week osteology intensive program teaching the features of the skeletal
system, identification techniques (sex estimation, adult and juvenile age
estimation, basic biodistance and pathology recognition). Ten hours in
the lab Monday through Friday, five hours on Saturday.
Staff: Dr. Jane Buikstra
Final grade: B+
2011-2015 The College of Wooster (Wooster, OH)
BA Archaeology and BA Anthropology (Minor: Music)
Cumulative GPA: 3.458
Senior Thesis: Do You Have the Heart For It?: An Anthropological Examination of
Portrayals of Aztec Human Sacrifice in Popular Culture.
Honors/Awards: Dean’s Scholarship ($15,000), Dean’s List.
2007-2011 Lenape High School (Medford, NJ)
Cumulative GPA: 3.4
Employment
2015 Camp Counsellor, ISC Summer Day Camp (Mount Laurel, NJ).
 Supervise campers (ages range from 3 to 15)
 Encourage child growth and development
 Supervisor: Lynne Prairie-Coates +1 (609) 792-9067
(lynne@intsports.com)
2011-2015 The College of Wooster (Wooster, OH).
2014-2015 Athletic Center Desk Attendant (part time).
 Monitor the various gyms in the Athletic Center.
 Help visitors with questions (directions, hours, events, etc.).
 Supervisor: Cassidy Wertman +1 (330) 263-2286
(cwertman@wooster.edu)
2014 Maintenance Crew.
 Repair damages in the campus buildings
 Supervisor: Jim Davis +1 (330) 263-2162 (jdavis@wooster.edu)
2013-2015 Music Theory Tutor (part time).
 Aid Music Theory 101 and 102 students on an as needed basis.
 Supervisor: Donna Reed +1 (330) 263-2419 (dreed@wooster.edu)

3. 2011-2015 Campus Dining Employee (part time).
 Take customer’s orders.
 Work the cash register.
 Prepare smoothies, food orders, and Starbucks drinks.
 Supervisor: Linda Gray +1 (330) 263-2355 (lgray@wooster.edu)
2011-2012 Forman Mills Distribution Center (summer job) (Pennsauken, NJ).
2012 Tagger.
 Attach tags to merchandise.
 Supervisor: Elva Simicsak +1 (856) 910-7147
2011 Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN) Secretary
 Process Advanced Shipping Notice forms (complete paperwork for each
order and enter orders in Excel documents).
 Supervisor: Elva Simicsak +1 (856) 910-7147
Teaching Experience
2016 Participated in University open day leading a workshop for
prospective students and their parents to explain the basic Forensic
Anthropological methods.
2014 Teaching Assistant for Anatomy and Physiology at the College of
Wooster. Lead multiple lessons throughout the fall semester. Six
hours each week.
2013-2015 Music Theory Tutor. Aid Music Theory 101 and 102 students at the
College of Wooster on an as needed basis.
Conferences Attended and Presentations
2016 British Association for Human Identification (BAHID) Summer Conference
(Dundee, UK).
2015 British Association for Human Identification (BAHID) Winter Conference
(Manchester, UK).
2015 Poster Presentation: Society for American Archaeology (SAA) 80th Annual
Meeting (San Francisco, CA, USA).
Volunteer Work
2016-2017 University of Central Lancashire.
 Helped with conducting undergraduate and postgraduate research
projects.
 Helped with university open days (supervising tours, showcasing the
facilities, answering questions, etc.).
2010 Projects Abroad: Volunteer Inca Archaeology in Peru (Huyro, Peru)

4.  Clearing Inca sites prior to excavation.
Additional Skills
 Skilled in Word, Powerpoint, and Excel.
 Basic knowledge of R and SPSS.
 Languages: Fluent in English (native language) and highly proficient in Italian.
References
Peter Cross
Lecturer in Forensic Anthropology
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
PACross1@uclan.ac.uk
Tel. 01772 894153
Lynne Prairie-Coates
Director of ISC Summer Day Camp
lynne@intsports.com
Tel. +1 (609) 792-9067
Irene van Zwieten
Laboratory Support Technician (TRACES & Forensic Anthropology)
University of Central Lancashire
Ivanzwieten@uclan.ac.uk
Mob. 07772280898