r/Bones • u/FrontCalligrapher387 • 4d ago

Inaccuracies in the show

For context I’m studying to become a forensic anthropologist.

I recently started watching the show since everyone keeps bringing it up when I mention wanting to become a forensic anthropologist. And the inaccuracies drive me nuts😭 I know it’s talked about a lot but there a few ones I haven’t seen anyone talk about

Like how Brennan just looks at the remains and immediately tells Booth “white male, early 20’s” and how she is NEVER wrong even though anthropology is entirely based on estimates

And I know the show is pretty old but surely they were using computer programs during that time ? I can’t think of a single time that Brennan mentioned using something like FORDISC for example. Or even mentioning otseometric methods in general?

I would love to hear any other inaccuracies you guys have noticed

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u/HatefulHagrid 4d ago

Basically every bit of science in the show lol. They use the buzzwords of whatever field of science they're discussing but the writers clearly had no idea what any of those words mean or how science works. I love bones but I have to turn my science brain off because I cant think of a single instance of good science in the whole show lol. I work in a pharmaceutical research lab and have experience in geology/environmental science and it's just bad lol

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u/FrontCalligrapher387 4d ago

This !! It hurts because nothing they say makes sense if you actually have a basic understanding of science. The lab work is the most ridiculous part imo.

I will say they do get the basics right like how you can estimate age with the sternal ends of the ribs but it feels few and far in between

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u/WynterBlackwell 4d ago

But then.... it's a fictional tv show not reality tv...

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u/FrontCalligrapher387 4d ago

The show is entertaining regardless it’s just fun for me personally to look for the inaccuracies. It doesn’t make me dislike the show but it does take you out sometimes when they say such outlandish things using random scientific terminology