Is it ever explained in series why the FBI continues to enlist the aid of a museum’s forensic anthropology experts instead of the FBI’s own substantial forensic resources?
They’re supposed to be “THE BEST.” That’s the only explanation we’ve ever been given.
Originally it was mostly “Bones” who was the best, and only in her particular niche, which was determining detailed characteristics about a victim from nothing more than a skeleton. Over the years it’s evolved to the point where every member of the team is preternaturally talented. There’s no crime they can’t solve, and no crime that can be solved without them. So, yes, that’s silly, but the show still has some good moments.
The staff may have been bumped up, but at least they got rid of that ridiculous holographic display they used early on. Granted, the Angelatron is still pretty dumb (hey, instead of a regular screen, let’s watch this simulation on a big clear hunk of glass), but at least it’s not something more at home with a wookiee playing space chess with a droid on it.
In some of the episodes they do make use of the FBI forensics team. They just get portrayed as not being near the caliber of the Jeffersonian. This is particularly evident in the episode where Brennon’s mom is found, and where they uncover the conspiracy against the dead cop.
Now that you mention it, I don’t watch the show frequently but I’ve basically forgotten that they’re working in a museum. Do they have “regular” day jobs when not solving some murder? Setting the “Textiles of the Pueblo People” exhibit or something?
Even weirder when I consider the interns. “Yay, I’m interning at the Jeffersonian for anthropology!” “Welcome to the Jeffersonian, Jr. Crime Dog! Here’s your deerstalker and magnifying cap for crime solving!”
Their “day job” is identifying anthropological remains. They actually still do that occasionally.
The Smithsonian, which would be the real-world counterpart, does employ forensic anthropologists who consult on various criminal cases, mass disasters, political crimes, and so forth. They also examine human skeletal remains of historical interest to identify them and to learn more about their environment and where they ended up. They basically help the historian and other social scientists piece together human history. Written in Bone shows how they do it.
It’s also important to remember that every episode shows one case. They may go for weeks or months without one; the time progression from one to the next isn’t always very clear. But crime-solving isn’t all they do.
Not anymore. That one former intern (Clark? I think that’s his name, but if not he’s the one who’s black and hates when everyone talks about all their personal nonsense) is now a Doctor and in charge of that part of the Jeffersonian now.
They helped out at least once though, to prove some remains were a mixed family of Cro-magnons and Neanderthals, and that they had been murdered by an intolerant society. I can’t remember how they proved that second part actually. Proof and speculation tread a fine line at the Jeffersonian.