Forensic Anthropology, Archaeology and Environmental Sciences

Please note: this is a simulated burial containing plastic human remains.

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Course Summary

The course is designed to provide police officers, crime scene investigators and other professionals with a theoretical and practical insight into the processes required to plan and conduct searches for dispersed, concealed or buried human remains and other buried/concealed items.

An introduction will be given as to the methods used and the considerations required when examining scenes involving human remains and the anthropological examination of human remains. The course comprises a day of lectures, with a further two days spent outdoors on practical exercises applying search, excavation,  examination and recovery skills in the field.

The course will be taught by practicing Forensic Archaeologists and Anthropologists from Cellmark, one of the UK’s leading forensic science providers.

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of the course, participants will:

• Understand when to engage the appropriate experts to assist an investigation
• Understand the principles of archaeological excavation and the importance of this to maximise evidence recovery and interpretation of activity at scenes
• Be able to demonstrate best practice for the search, examination and recovery of human remains from clandestine graves and surface-level remains, focusing on decomposed, burnt, fragmentary and skeletalised remains
• Appreciate the contribution that forensic anthropology examinations, both at the scene and mortuary/laboratory, can bring to investigations
• Be able to identify how various environmental evidence types can provide valuable information to the investigation and be able to demonstrate correct sampling procedures

Course Schedule and Delivery

Day 1 Lectures

• Archaeological search techniques
• Principles of archaeology; recording, excavating and recovering buried human remains
• Archaeological interpretation and reconstruction of activity at the crime scene
• Human skeletal anatomy
• Distinguishing human from non-human remains
• Establishing individual biological information to assist in identification
• The role of a forensic anthropologist at the scene and mortuary
• Environmental evidence – best practice

Day 2 Practical exercises

• Scenario based exercises will run through days 2 and 3, putting learning into practice
• Developing a scene strategy for evidence retrieval and recovery of remains including case studies
• Forensic examination of deposition sites associated with human remains
• Environmental evidence

Day 3 Practical exercises

• Continuation of the practical forensic examination of deposition sites associated with human remains

Find out more about our services:
Forensic Anthropology Forensic Archaeology Search Assessment and Mapping Service UAVs Walkover Survey Archaeological Excavation 3D Crime Scene Modelling Diatoms 3D Digital Body Reconstruction Entomology Soil Botany Pollen Bones ID