Surprisingly, very little is known about the way in which the internal and external structure of bones changes throughout life. This can mainly be attributed to the lack of relevant skeletal material upon which to carry out such research and the lack of an appropriate means of analysing irreplaceable skeletal collections. However, through the application of modern imaging techniques applied to the unique Scheuer collection of juvenile skeletal remains I have been able to overcome these previous limitations to gain an insight into the structural architecture of the developing skeleton. Recently, this work has focused on the pelvis and has considered the way in which the internal bone structure changes in response to normal developmental milestones such as the attainment and maturity of walking and puberty. Already this research is producing exciting results which have challenged current concepts of bipedality and have resulted in the formulation of revised theories regarding the early developmental progression of the bone. In addition to contributing to advanced anatomical and anthropological theory this research also has a potential clinical and forensic application.

Dr Craig Cunningham lectures in Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology within CAHID and holds a joint honours BSc in Anatomical and Physiological Sciences and a Doctorate in Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology.  Dr Cunningham is heavily involved in the teaching and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students in anatomy and forensic anthropology and is module manager for a large proportion of the undergraduate and postgraduate forensic anthropology programmes.

Craig also leads the coordination and delivery of international CPD training courses in skeletal development and has responsibility for the curation of the Scheuer collection of juvenile skeletal remains housed within CAHID. He acts as a consultant on the virtual anthropology service run by the University of Dundee and holds a Scottish Government license as a teacher of anatomy. Recently, he was appointed as chairman of the Academic Programmes committee within the British Association of Forensic Anthropology

• Yusof, N.A., Soames, R.W., Black, S.M., Cunningham, C.A. (2012). Growth of the human ilium: relationship to key developmental milestones. Clinical Anatomy. 25: 543.
• Cunningham, C.A and Stephen, A. (2010). The appearance of Harris lines at the iliac crest. AXIS. 2:13-21.
• Cunningham, C.A. and Black, S.M. (2010). The Neonatal Ilium – Metaphyseal Drivers and Neurovascular Passengers. Anatomical Record. 293(8):1297-1309.
• Duce, S., Madrigal, L., Schmidt, K., Cunningham, C., Liu, G., Barker, S., Tennant, G., Tickle, T., Chudek, S and Miedzybrodzka, Z. (2010). Micro-magnetic resonance imaging and embryological analysis of wild-type and pma mutant mice with clubfoot. Journal of Anatomy. 216:108-120.
• Cunningham, C. (2009). Structural Maturity in the Neonatal Ilium. Clinical Anatomy. 22:856
• Cunningham, C.A. and Black, S.M. (2009). Iliac Cortical Thickness in the Neonate – The Gradient Effect. Journal of Anatomy. 215:364-370.
• Cunningham, C.A. and Black, S.M. (2009). Anticipating Bipedalism: Trabecular Organisation in the Newborn Ilium. Journal of Anatomy. 214:817-829.
• Cunningham, C.A. and Black, S.M. (2009). Development of the Fetal Ilium – Challenging Concepts of Bipedality. Journal of Anatomy. 214:91-99.