Faculty Profile for Dr. Danny Wescott

profile photo for Dr. Danny Wescott
Dr. Danny Wescott
Professor — Anthropology
ELA 232
phone: (512) 245-8272

Biography Section

Research Interests

I am a biological anthropologists with a research focus on developing and testing forensic anthropological methods for reconstructing biological profiles, trauma patterns, and the post mortem interval. I also use long bone biomechanics to reconstruct activity patterns and behavior in past populations, and test hypotheses regarding changes in human skeletal morphology due to evolutionary and secular forces.

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Wescott, D. J. (2019). Postmortem changes in bone mechanical properties: loss of plasticity. Forensic Science International, 300, 164–169.
  • Sylvester, A. D., Zbijewksi, W., Shi, G., Chu, E. Y.-N., Cunningham, D. K., & Wescott, D. J. (n.d.). Macroscopic differences in adult human femora are linked to body mass index. Anatomical Record.
  • Date Chong, M., Sheehan, S., Battaglia, J., Wescott, D. J., & Wallin, J. (2023). Comparative study of rapid DNA versus conventional methods on compromised bones. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 63.
  • Gutierrez, E., & Wescott, D. J. (2023). Differential Decomposition in Burned Human Remains. Journal of Undergraduate Research in Anthropology, VII, 99–107.
  • Wescott, D. J., Wiedenmeyer, E. L., De Cree, T. M., & Gutierrez, E. (2023). Analysis of possible human fetal cremains.

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Recipient: Certificate of Appreciation, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Dallas Evidence Response Team. 2022
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Community Partnership Award, San Marcos Police Department. February 2, 2022
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Scholarly / Creative Activities, College of Liberal Arts. August 2016
  • Award / Honor Nominee: Mariel M. Muir Excellence in Mentoring Award. May 2016
  • Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities, College of Liberal Arts. 2014

Selected Grants

  • Mavroudas, Sophia (Principal), Herrmann, Nicholas Paul (Co-Principal), Hamilton, Michelle D (Co-Principal), Wescott, Daniel J (Co-Principal), Falleur, David M (Co-Principal), Jacobson, Jodi Arlene (Co-Principal). Acquiring a Microscopy Suite for Forensic Anthropology, Archaeology, and Biology, NSF, Federal, $255000. (Funded: September 1, 2019 - September 2021). Grant.
  • Wescott, Daniel J (Principal). Detection of clandestine graves and surface remains in Central Texas using remote sensing, Texas State University, Institutional (Higher Ed), $7482. (Funded: 2014). Grant.
  • Wescott, Daniel J (Principal). Bioarchaeological investigation of the Shiloh Methodist Cemetery: Health, Diet, and Activity of African Americans during the mid 19th Century, University of Missouri, Institutional (Higher Ed), $7191. (Funded: 2008). Grant.
  • Wescott, Daniel J (Principal). Secular change in human long bone diaphyseal strength and shape in the United States, University of Missouri, Institutional (Higher Ed), $7000. (Funded: 2008). Grant.
  • Wescott, Daniel J (Principal). Secular change in human long bone diaphyseal strength and shape in the United States from 1925-1980, University of Missouri, Institutional (Higher Ed), $26700. (Funded: 2008). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Reviewer / Referee
Journal of Forensic Sciences
2023-Present
Member
Laboratory Safety Committee
October 2021-Present
Consulting Forensic Anthropologist
Equasearch
2014-Present
Consulting Forensic Anthropologist
Texas Ranger
2012-Present
Member
External Review Team - School of Criminal Justice and Criminology
February 5, 2024-February 7, 2024