Our guest this week is Dr. Timothy Gocha Ph.D. Tim is the Associate Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University. On this episode of the Forensic Found Podcast, we will hear how Tim got into the field of forensic anthropology, his role at Texas State University and the groundbreaking Operation Identification program, featured in the movie Missing in Brooks County.

Operation Identification (OpID) aims to identify and repatriate unidentified human remains found along or in close proximity to the South Texas border through community outreach, scientific analysis, advocacy, and collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Kat and Tim talk about their month spent as Visiting Scientists in the Anthropology Department at the New York City - OCME.  This unique opportunity took place with the largest medical examiner's office in the United States and accepts only a handful of participants each year.

Tune into this week’s episode and learn more about Tim, how he discovered his passion for this field, and all about the work he does with Texas State University and the Operation Identification program!

Resources Mentioned:

Operation Identification

https://opid.wp.txstate.edu/

Missing in Brooks County

https://www.missinginbrookscounty.com/

Visiting Scientist Program at NYC - OCME

https://www.nyc.gov/site/ocme/services/visiting-scientist-opportunities.page

About Timothy Gocha

Tim Gocha is the Associate Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University. Prior to this appointment, he was a forensic anthropologist in southern Nevada. He has assisted with victim recovery and/or identification from several mass fatality events including the deadliest hot air balloon crash in U.S. history, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, the deadliest wildfire in California history, as well as the ongoing humanitarian crisis of migrant deaths along the U.S./Mexico border.

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