Faculty Profile for Dr. Danny Wescott
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