Carolyn Isaac

(She/Her)

cvisaac@msu.edu
Giltner 117B

Assistant Professor, Director of the MSU Forensic Anthropology Laboratory

Anthropology

Biography

Carolyn Isaac is an assistant professor and biological anthropologist specializing in forensic anthropology. Her research examines the histological progression of cranial fracture healing, with the dual aims of generating baseline empirical data on the cellular and tissue-level processes involved and developing methods to help forensic practitioners estimate the age of healing fractures. In addition, she conducts research on comparative radiographic techniques to improve and validate methods for scientific identification, including collaborative work that integrates artificial intelligence approaches to enhance practitioner workflows.

Dr. Isaac also serves as Director of the MSU Forensic Anthropology Laboratory (MSUFAL), which collaborates with law enforcement and medical examiner offices in the search, recovery, skeletal analysis, trauma interpretation, and identification of deceased individuals. In addition to its casework, MSUFAL plays a central role in training the next generation of forensic anthropologists. Doctoral students work closely with faculty practitioners, Dr. Isaac, Dr. Hefner, Dr. Zurek-Ost, and Dr. Fenton, gaining hands-on experience that prepares them for board certification and professional practice in forensic anthropology.

Works

Armelli K, Dunn R, Isaac C. 2025. Body Donation Practices and Opinions. Forensic Anthropology 9(1): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2024.0009

Devota CJ, Watson E, Leah V, Isaac CV, Cornelison JB, Fenton TW. 2025. Human Identification by Comparative Medical Radiography: A Validation Study of the Lateral Foot. Forensic Anthropology 8(1): 10-18. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2024.0008

Sony R, Isaac CV, VanBaarle A, Devota CJ, Fenton T, Hefner JT, Ross A. 2025. Automatic Comparative Chest Radiography using Deep Neural Networks. IEEE Access 13: 4398-4410. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3525579

Spiros MC, Isaac CV, Hunter B, Hefner JT. 2024. Elder Abuse in Forensic Anthropology: A Case Study. Forensic Anthropology 7(1): 47-57. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2023.0034

Devota CJ, Kamnikar KR, Isaac CV, Hefner JT. 2023. A Unique Case of Hereditary Multiple Osteochondromas in the Feet. Forensic Anthropology 6(2): 117-122. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2022.0014

Isaac CV, Cornelison JB, Devota CJ, Shattuck BL, Castellani RJ. 2023. An Unusual Blunt Force Trauma Pattern and Mechanism to the Cranial Vault: Investigation of an Atypical Infant Homicide. Journal of Forensic Sciences 68(1): 315-326. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15168

Isaac CV, Cornelison JB, Devota CJ, Bailey K, Langworthy J. 2022. A Method for the Development of Cranial Fracture Histology Slides. Journal of Forensic Sciences 67(5): 2040-2047. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15093

Armelli K, Christensen E, Isaac C, Cornelison J. 2022. Steam Kettle Skeletal Preparation: An Efficient Method for Processing Human Remains. Forensic Anthropology 5(1): 73-77. https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2021.0016

Cornelison JB, Isaac CV, Devota CJ, Billian J, Brown TB, deJong JL, Douglas EA, Fisher-Hubbard AO, Lackey-Cornelison WL, Prahlow JA, Shattuck BL. 2022. A Comparison of Three Decalcification Agents for Assessments of Cranial Fracture Histomorphology. Journal of Forensic Sciences 67(3):1157-1166. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14990

Isaac CV, Cornelison JB, Prahlow JA, Devota CJ, Christensen ER. 2022. The Repository of Antemortem Injury Response (REPAIR): An Online Database for Skeletal Injuries of Known Ages. International Journal of Legal Medicine 136(4):1189-1196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02756-z

Isaac CV, Cornelison JB, Castellani RJ, deJong JL. 2018. A Unique Type of Birth Trauma Mistaken for Abuse. Journal of Forensic Sciences 63(2):602-607. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13557

Isaac CV, Cornelison JB, deJong JL. 2014. An Investigative Tool for Detecting Elder Abuse. Academic Forensic Pathology 4(4):524-531. https://doi.org/10.23907/2014.068