Jake Smith is a Forensic Anthropologist and licensed embalmer and funeral director. He received his Associate Degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service in Virginia and has been in the funeral industry for more than 17 years. More recently, he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Anthropology at the University of Tennessee with a concentration in Biological and Forensic Anthropology and a graduate certificate in Disasters, Displacement, and Human Rights. Jake specializes in human decomposition and taphonomy and worked intricately within the Forensic Anthropology Center’s Body Donation Program at The University of Tennessee. In addition to teaching forensic-specific courses, he teaches Anatomy and Physiology Labs, Cultural Anthropology, and Restorative Art II. Jake serves as expert witness in court for negligent embalming and mortuary litigation cases, has testified in forensic cold cases, and lectures for various groups nationally and internationally. Jake can be found embalming, teaching, or assisting with skeletal recoveries at a moment’s notice and he enjoys research. Jake honorably served in the U.S. Navy during the first Gulf War and worked as a mechanic for many years before changing careers, and now holds embalmer/funeral director licensure in Virginia, Florida, and Tennessee. Jake enjoys life with his wife, their son, and their pups on a 10-acre farm raising chickens and gardening. In the near future, they hope to add honeybees into the mix. Jake is a Vol For Life.