Kate Lesciotto

Kate M. Lesciotto, JD, PhD, D-ABFA

Assistant Professor
Center for Anatomical Sciences
College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Ft. Worth, TX 76107
Kate.Lesciotto@unthsc.edu

ABFA Board-Certified Forensic Anthropologist (2023)

Ph.D. Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University (2020).
M.S. Forensic and Biological Anthropology, Mercyhurst University (2015).
J.D. Law, Washington University in St. Louis (2009).
B.S. Biological Science and Zoology, Colorado State University (2004).

Research

Dr. Lesciotto’s research focuses on forensic anthropology. Her current research projects and interests include:

Sex estimation from unidentified skeletal remains. This project is currently co-funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Justice and aims to explore metric and morphological variation throughout the entire human skeleton by collecting data from modern, documented skeletal collections in the US. Novel statistical models are being explored to integrate multiple data types, with the long-term goal of developing a freely available software program that can estimate sex with high statistical confidence and avoid the need to combine results from multiple methods using disparate statistical models.

Biomechanics and interpretation of skeletal trauma. Dr. Lesciotto is currently developing research projects to study fracture initiation, fracture propagation, and forensic fractographic characteristics related to blunt force skeletal trauma. These projects will involve experimental bending models, high-speed videography, and medical imaging to improve interpretations of skeletal trauma in medicolegal investigations.

Intersection of forensic anthropology and the US legal system. Dr. Lesciotto’s interest mainly focuses on the Daubert standard for the admissibility of expert witness evidence and how this standard has affected the field of forensic anthropology. This relationship is explored through multiple perspectives, including the direct effect on admissibility determinations for testifying forensic anthropologists and downstream effects on how forensic anthropology research is conducted and reported in the peer-reviewed literature. In addition to her research, Dr. Lesciotto is a practicing forensic anthropologist. She has provided consulting services for several counties within Texas and works with external agencies and institutions to provide training to students, educators, and law enforcement officers.

Selected Publications

• Lesciotto, KM, Christensen, AM. 2024. The over‐citation of Daubert in forensic anthropology. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 69(1), 9-17.
• Lesciotto, KM. 2023. Daubert and the Effect on Biological Profile Research. Forensic Anthropology, 6(4), 218–229.
• Lesciotto KM, Tomlinson L, Leonard S, Richtsmeier JT. 2022. Embryonic and early postnatal cranial bone volume and tissue mineral density values for C57BL/6J laboratory mice. Developmental Dynamics, 251(7), 1196-1208.
•  Bauler LD, Lesciotto KM, Lackey-Cornelison W. 2022. Factors impacting the rapid transition of anatomy curricula to an online environment in response to COVID-19. Anatomical Sciences Education 15(2):221-232. DOI: 10.1002/ase.2163
•  Klales AR, Garvin H, Gocha T, Lesciotto KM, Walls M. 2021. Examining reliability of popular morphological sex estimation methods. Forensic Anthropology 3:139-150. DOI: 10.5744/fa.2020.4015
• Hinde K, Amorim CE, Brokaw AF, Burt N, Casillas M, Chen A, Chestnut T, Connors PK, Dasari M, Ditelberg CF, Dietrick J, Drew J, Durgavich L, Easterling B, Henning C, Hilborn A, Karlsson EK, Kissel M, Kobylecky J, Krell J, Lee DN, Lesciotto KM, Lewton KL, Light JE, Martin J, Muphy A, Nickley W, Nunez-de la Mora A, Pellicer O, Pellicer V, Perry AM, Schuttler SG, Stone AC, Tanis B, Weber J, Wilson M, Willcocks E, Anderson CN. 2021. March Mammal Madness and the Power of Narrative in Science Outreach. eLife 10:e65066. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.65066
•  Lesciotto KM, Motch Perrine SM, Kawasaki M, Stecko T, Ryan TM, Kawasaki K, Richtsmeier JT. 2020. Phosphotungstic acid enhanced microCT: optimized protocols for embryonic and early postnatal mice. Developmental Dynamics 249(4):573-585. DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.136
• Richtsmeier JT and Lesciotto KM. 2020. From phenotype to genotype and back again. Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris 32:8-17. DOI: 10.3166/bmsap-2019-0065
•  Lesciotto KM and Richtsmeier JT. 2019. Craniofacial skeletal responses to encephalization: How do we know what we think we know? American Journal of Physical Anthropology 168(S67):27-46. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23766
• Lesciotto KM and Doershuk LJ. 2018. Effect of age on nonmetric cranial traits in adults. Forensic Anthropology 1(3):150-159. DOI 10.5744/fa.2018.0016
• Lesciotto KM and Doershuk LJ. 2018. Accuracy and reliability of the Klales et al. (2012) morphoscopic pelvic sexing method. Journal of Forensic Sciences 63(1):214-220. DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13501
• Lesciotto KM, Heuzé Y, Jabs EW, Bernstein JM, and Richtsmeier JT. 2018. Choanal atresia and craniosynostosis: development and disease. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 141(1):156-168. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003928
• Lesciotto KM, Cabo LL, Garvin HM. 2016. A morphometric analysis of prognathism and evaluation of the gnathic index in modern humans. HOMO – Journal of Comparative Human Biology 67(4):294-312. DOI: 10.1016/j.jchb.2016.04.006
• Lesciotto KM. 2015. The impact of Daubert on the admissibility of forensic anthropology expert testimony. Journal of Forensic Sciences 60(3):549-555. DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12740
• Lesciotto KM. 2008. KSR: Have gene patents been KO’D-the non-obviousness determination of patents claiming nucleotide sequences when the prior art has already disclosed the amino acid sequence. Washington University Law Review 86(1):209-240.

Teaching

At UNTHSC, Dr. Lesciotto serves as the course director for Structural Anatomy (PHAN 5301) for graduate students and also teaches gross anatomy courses for Medical, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant students.

Courses Taught

• PHAN 5301: Structural Anatomy (graduate students)– Course Director
• MEDE 7811: Musculoskeletal and Skin Systems 1 (medical students)
• MEDE 7812: Nervous System 1 (medical students)
• MEDE 7615: Cardiopulmonary System 1 (medical students)
• MEDE 7611: Gastrointestinal & Renal Systems 1 (medical students)
• MEDE 7715: Reproductive & Endocrine Systems 1 (medical students)
• DPHT 7200 & 7400: Clinical Anatomy 1 & 2 (physical therapy students)
• MPAS 5401 & 5208: Clinical Anatomy 1 & 2 (physician assistant students)