Interpretare (e testimoniare) certe modificazioni del corpo: le competenze dell'antropologa/o nel sistema di giustizia italiano

One aspect of body changes is the act of cutting. That is a cultural significant gesture. To interpret and explain cultural meanings of “certain” types of human body cutting – those that produce damage, injure or impairment in an illegal or criminal sense –, the anthropologist has to use effective tools and work for improve them. The aim of the present article is to reflect exactly on the importance of including anthropological competences in the analysis of culture(s)-related to body cutting in the Italian criminal justice system. The author believes that the forensic field of cultural anthropology has to emerge and expand itself, precisely now that the anthropological discipline is experiencing a broader process of professionalization in Italy. By examining some forensic applications of cultural anthropology, this article wants to bring out the value of anthropological knowledge for increasing the credibility of the anthropologist as a qualified and irreplaceable professional during all the different stages of Italian justice system