By Katelynn Liedtke

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Forensic Institute for Research and Education at Middle Tennessee State University will be hosting forensic anthropologist Eric Emery in late October as this year’s William M. Bass-Hugh Berryman Legends in Forensic Science Lectureship.

Emery, a retired board-certified forensic anthropologist, historian, and underwater archeologist, will give his presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 in the second-floor ballroom of the Student Union, 1768 MTSU Blvd. It is free and open to the public.

Emery spent 10 years working for Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, identifying human remains as part of recovery efforts in Iraq, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Suriname.

In 2002, Emery helped recover the skeletons of two U.S. sailors found within the revolving gun turret of the USS Monitor, the Civil War ironclad that famously battled the CSS Merrimack in March 1862. 

Since 2017, Emery has managed the Safety Research Division in the Office of Research and Engineering at theNational Transportation Safety Board. His division is responsible for developing studies and interventions focused on reducing accidents and injury severity. 

As part of the event, Emery will discuss the duel between the Monitor and the Merrimack, along with the engineering and forensic aspects of recovering the gun turret and remains. In addition, microphones will be set up for attendees to ask questions at the conclusion of Emery’s discussion.

“Take some Civil War history, add cutting-edge forensic science, and throw in world-class engineering for good measure to uncover the fascinating story of the USS Monitor’s lost sailors,” said FIRE Director Thomas Holland. “I hope everyone will join Dr. Eric Emery as he uniquely brings this historical mystery and modern-day forensic recovery mission to life.”  

For more information, visit the forensic institute’s webpage for the event at https://fire.mtsu.edu/workshops/.  

The Forensic Institute for Research and Education is located in Room 106 of Wiser-Patten Science Hall. For more information about FIRE, call 615-494-7713 or email [email protected]. 

Journalism major Katelynn Liedtke is a practicum student in the Office of News and Media Relations. Reach her at [email protected].