Kathleen Joan Reichs, born in Chicago in 1948, built a dual career in academic physical anthropology and international crime fiction. A graduate of American University and Northwestern University, she holds a Doctor of Philosophy and has applied her forensic expertise while working for institutions including the FBI Academy, the Canadian Police College, and the National Disaster Medical System.
Academic and Forensic Career
Reichs has held teaching positions at Northern Illinois University, the University of Pittsburgh, and McGill University, ultimately becoming professor emerita of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her field experience includes assisting in the identification of human remains in Guatemala near Lake Atitlan and working with the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team following the World Trade Center disaster. She also testified at the United Nations' International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and served as an expert witness in the 2011 Casey Anthony murder trial.
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The Temperance Brennan series, beginning with the 1997 award-winning novel Déjà Dead, utilizes Reichs' background in bioarchaeology and forensic science to ground its narrative. The novels have been translated into 30 languages. Beyond the primary series, she collaborated with her son, Brendan Reichs, on the young adult Virals series. Her standalone bibliography includes titles such as Two Nights, which focuses on the character Sunday Night.
Media and Consultation
The Fox television series Bones was inspired by her professional life and the Temperance Brennan novels. Reichs contributed to the production to maintain scientific accuracy in the portrayal of forensic procedures. She has appeared as an actor on the show and co-wrote episodes including The Witch in the Wardrobe and The Stiff in the Cliff. Her contributions to public service and the literary arts have been recognized through her appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada and an honorary doctorate from Concordia University.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Chicago
- Field: Forensic Anthropology
- Doctoral Degree: Northwestern University
- Notable Works: Déjà Dead, Break No Bones, Virals
- Languages: English, French
- Television Role: Producer and writer for Bones
- Professional Board: American Academy of Forensic Sciences
- Honor: Member of the Order of Canada
Questions readers ask
Is the character Temperance Brennan based on Kathy Reichs?
Yes, Reichs has stated that the fictional heroine shares her professional CV and some personality traits, though their personal lives differ.
Did Reichs work on the Casey Anthony trial?
Yes, she performed a full skeletal analysis of the child victim, concluding there was no evidence of abuse, though she could not determine a cause of death.
Achievements
- Member of the Order of Canada
- Notable work: Break No Bones
- Notable work: Déjà Dead
- Notable work: Death du Jour
- Notable work: Deadly Decisions
