For nearly three decades, Senior Sergeant Donna MacGregor —better known as the “bone lady”—has taken her job seriously. She works and works again to excavate the narratives that the deceased need to share. MacGregor, one of North America’s leading qualified forensic anthropologists, has a reputation for detail. She is very good at finding human remains and giving important closure answers to grieving families. Her journey started in Brisbane as a general duties officer. She then graduated to homicide major crime scenes before assuming a leadership role within the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
MacGregor’s skills were called on in 2013, when she was asked to assist in finding remains alongside roadways. This keen decision would prove to be a watershed moment in her career. This practical experience enabled her to bridge the gap between her academic expertise and real-world police work. Continuing to lecture at university, she worked part time with the QPS. With special permission from that state coroner, she was allowed to cut a section of rib bone off the headless torso, and that moved the investigation, the missing piece, significantly forward.
A Lifelong Commitment to Forensic Anthropology
MacGregor’s fascination with forensic anthropology was ignited during her post-graduate studies at the University of Queensland. A formative first encounter with criminal defense cases alongside police started up her interest in the field. In 2010, she took a short leave of absence without pay from the police service to focus on her studies at the Queensland University of Technology. Her combination of academic and practical knowledge has equipped her with thoughtful and creative skills that have empowered her. Today, she is looking forward to taking the reins of the QPS’ major crime forensic unit.
As a leader, MacGregor spends less time at crime scenes and more time in the lab, mentoring other officers and providing expert advice. Her team, made up of scientific officers and others, depend on partnerships and collaboration to fulfill their mission.
“We achieve results through group effort,” – Senior Sergeant MacGregor
This collaboration is critical as multidisciplinary teams specialized in these complex 3D cases examine human remains. These investigations are daunting endeavors. They require both the highest scientific expertise and the most profound compassion for the families tragically affected by these still sometimes preventable tragedies.
Challenges and Triumphs in Uncovering the Truth
The reality of remains identification can be a needle in a haystack endeavor. When thinking of all of that massive forestry land where bodies can be buried, MacGregor is cognizant of the harsh realities investigators were up against.
“If you think about all the forestry areas up there, it is a needle in a haystack,” – Senior Sergeant MacGregor
To date, MacGregor and her team have met these challenges head-on, continuing forward in their mission and dedication. Every recovery is treated with dignity and respect for the people touched by them.
“We know this is a person and this person was loved but at this point in time our job is to process this scene and help find out what happened to them, so we can then give them to their family,” – Senior Sergeant MacGregor
In doing so, this commitment makes clear MacGregor’s view that the most important purpose of any investigation is delivering closure to families. And they take seriously the emotional burden of their work. In this way, they aim to make sure that every case receives the focus and attention it truly deserves.
The Science Behind Forensic Anthropology
As breakthroughs in technology occur, the public often jumps to the conclusion that DNA analysis will be the answer to any forensic case. While DNA can provide answers, MacGregor underscores that it’s a small part of the larger puzzle.
“In this day and age, everyone thinks DNA will solve everything — and it does in a lot of cases,” – Senior Sergeant MacGregor
Along the way, she stresses the need to teach and communicate the limits of forensic science. This ranges from skeletal analysis and its relevance in establishing cause of death or recognition of congenital deformities. Her crew uses as many specialties as possible in their investigations, understanding that every set of human remains tells its own story.
“Every set of human remains, every skeleton I look at is unique and every job teaches you something … it’s an interesting process to go through to essentially read the skeleton,” – Senior Sergeant MacGregor
The collaboration between experts in different fields aids in piecing together each case’s narrative, allowing them to deliver answers that families have long sought.
