Murfreesboro, TN - Middle Tennessee State University is set to welcome forensic anthropologist Dr. Eric Bartelink for a compelling evening of science and storytelling. The free public lecture, “Sifting through the Ashes,” will take place Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

Bartelink will share his experience recovering and identifying victims of the devastating wildfires in Paradise, California, and Maui, Hawaii. With over 100 burned remains cases to his name, he’s part of California State University’s Human Identification Laboratory—widely recognized as the state’s top resource for fire victim recovery.

“He’s truly an unsung hero,” said Thomas Holland, director of MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education (FIRE). “Much of the respect he’s earned comes from the sobering work he’s done in these massive disasters.”

Bartelink’s expertise extends far beyond wildfires. He’s a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, a published author, and a contributor to international humanitarian missions with the United Nations. He also played a key role in the World Trade Center victim identification effort and recently testified in the Chad Daybell murder trial, which concluded with a conviction in May 2024.

The lecture is part of FIRE’s annual William Bass-Hugh Berryman Legends in Forensic Science Lectureship series, which has featured experts in trauma, memory, and crime scene investigation since 2006. This year’s event is sponsored by FIRE, the Middle Tennessee Forensic Science Society, and several MTSU departments.

Again, Middle Tennessee State University’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education will host forensic expert Eric Bartelink at its upcoming William Bass-Hugh Berryman Legends in Forensic Science Lectureship event.

Keypopints:

• This year’s presentation is sponsored by FIRE, the Middle Tennessee Forensic Science Society, the Department of Political and Global Affairs, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the College of Liberal Arts and the Office of the University Provost.
• The ballroom is located on the second floor of the Student Union Building, located at 1768 MTSU Blvd. Parking is free for the evening event. A searchable campus parking map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap.    
• Call 615-494-7713 or visit https://fire.mtsu.edu/ to learn more about FIRE, housed in Room 106 of Wiser-Patten Science Hall, 422 Old Main Circle on campus. 
• FIRE lecture 2025 advance 1: MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education will host forensic expert Eric Bartelink at its upcoming William Bass-Hugh Berryman Legends in Forensic Science Lectureship event on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the MTSU Student Union Ballroom. The presentation is free and open to the public. 

Bartelink will conclude his presentation with a Q&A session, offering attendees a rare chance to engage directly with one of the world’s leading forensic minds.