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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Forensic Anthropologist, Bestselling Novelist Kathy Reichs Speaks at NSU
Kathy Reichs, Ph.D., a forensic anthropologist, bestselling author, and executive producer of the television series Bones, spoke at NSU on Feb. 6. Prior to her keynote Distinguished Speakers Series presentation, Reichs met with students in a special seminar.
More than 500 students, faculty, staff members, and guests gathered at NSU on Feb. 6 to hear from Kathy Reichs, Ph.D., a forensic anthropologist, bestselling author, and executive producer of the television series Bones.
Titled “Forensic Anthropology: From Crime Lab to Crime Fiction,” the talk was part of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences’ Distinguished Speakers Series and hosted by the college’s Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Reichs spoke about her ongoing work as a forensic anthropologist, before transitioning to her roles as a writer and a producer, discussing how she “takes death and turns it into life—in the form of fiction.”
Her presentation featured a variety of behind-the-scenes photos, from her work in the field analyzing real human bones to her experiences with prop skeletons on the set of Bones.
The climax of Reichs’ keynote came in the form of a Clue-like, hypothetical homicide case. Reichs told the crowd she considered using NSU as the backdrop for her next novel and had developed a full plot. In the fictional story, a beloved faculty member is found killed, and the assailant remains at large. After scouring evidence and reviewing a list of possible perpetrators—each with his/her photos displayed for the audience—Reichs used forensic techniques to determine the prime suspect: Razor the Shark.
Following her presentation, Reichs led a Q&A session with audience members. The talk concluded with a book signing and a meet and greet. Prior to the evening’s events, Reichs met with undergraduate students from the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences in a special seminar.
An In-Depth Look at Bringing Death Back to Life
The week before delivering her keynote talk at NSU, Reichs spoke with the college about studying forensic anthropology, writing crime fiction, and producing a “crimedy” television show. The complete interview with Kathy Reichs is available now online.