Trained as a Medical Dissector/Prosector in Anatomy, Pathology and Forensic Medicine in Berlin, Heidelberg and Düsseldorf in Germany and pursued doctoral research studies in Forensic Anthropology and Human Anatomy at University College Dublin in Ireland.

Dr Gapert holds a Doctorate (PhD) in Forensic Anthropology and Anatomy and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Radiography from UCD. A Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, a Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, a Member (former Council Member) of the British Association for Human Identification, a Founder Member of the British Association for Forensic Anthropology and a Member of the Medico-Legal Society of Ireland.  A certified Forensic Anthropologist Level III under the UK Justice System and listed on the Forensic Experts Advisers Database of the National Crime Agency (NCA). René also a certified Geographic Profiling Analyst.

Dr Gapert has over 28 years of experience in the examination and analysis of human remains in medical, forensic and historical contexts.