Aspro. Desire Brits

Desire Brits is a South African forensic anthropologist whose work advances human identification, skeletal biology, and ethical anatomical practice. Affiliated with the Human Variation and Identification Research Unit in Johannesburg, research integrates osteology, imaging, and applied forensic science to address challenges in medico-legal contexts across Southern Africa.

A central focus is stature estimation in contemporary South African populations, critically evaluating and refining regression equations, anatomical methods, and digital tools to improve population-specific accuracy. Research on decomposition, rehydration effects, and insect succession patterns further strengthens post-mortem interval estimation, providing regionally relevant forensic data.

Additional contributions include investigations of violence-related juvenile cases, cranial pathology, and diagenetic alteration of historic skeletal remains. Work on ethical human body sourcing highlights leadership in transitioning toward donation-based systems in Africa, underscoring a commitment to scientific rigor, social responsibility, and forensic best practice.