Eric Bartelink (transcript)
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Title
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Eric Bartelink (transcript)
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Description
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This oral history interview with Dr. Eric Bartelink, a distinguished board-certified forensic anthropologist and Co-Director of the Human Identification Lab at Chico State, was conducted was part of the "Oral History Project: Preserving Chico State Voices for Change." Dr. Bartelink holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a Minor in History from Central Michigan University, a Master's degree from Chico State, and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. The interview documents Dr. Bartelink's academic background and history prior to his tenure at Chico State, his experiences during his initial years at the institution, and his current roles and responsibilities both on and off campus. It provides an in-depth examination of Dr. Bartelink's academic journey, the factors that influenced his decision to join Chico State, and his contributions to the campus and broader community.Significant projects highlighted in this interview include identifying remains from the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks, working with the United Nations Forensics team in Bosnia to exhume mass graves of genocide victims, conducting excavations in Maui, and his extensive research and publications. As Co-Director of the Human Identification Lab, Dr. Bartelink oversees the lab's materials, casework, and internships with graduate and undergraduate students. He plays a crucial role in identifying whether bones are human or non-human. The primary objective of the lab is to offer services that assist law enforcement and other legal entities in the identification of human remains. Additionally, the lab provides information to law enforcement to aid in their casework, ultimately helping families gain closure by determining what happened to their loved ones. Due to the high volume of casework, the lab has secured funding to expand to a new building. This expansion will include multiple labs for DNA analysis, stable isotopes, zooarchaeology, human identification and recovery, training, and more, with the goal of establishing forensic anthropology as a major or minor academic discipline at Chico State. Dr. Bartelink envisions the Human Identification Lab evolving into an accredited crime lab, bringing in more research opportunities, aiding various agencies, and advancing the field to better assist law enforcement and the local community.
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Interviewee
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Eric Bartelink
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Date Created
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October 24, 2024
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Document Format
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pdf
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File size
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158 KB
