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Forensic Archaeology

Module description

This module will introduce you to the way archaeologists are employed by law enforcement agencies to find and recover buried human remains. You will be introduced to key scientific approaches that are of common value to both traditional and forensic archaeology as well as techniques for searching and locating buried remains, the identification of evidence, excavation and recovery of buried remains. You will have the opportunity to put into practice the skills you have leaned during a daylong practical involving a mock crime scene where you will be required to locate and recover human remains according to UK police procedures. After a debrief session, you will write up a report that would be appropriate for use in court.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim is to:

• Introduce you to key scientific approaches that are of common value to both traditional and forensic archaeology and provide you with basic practical skills in relevant techniques.
• Introduced techniques for searching and locating buried remains, the identification of evidence, excavation and recovery of buried remains.

The role of the forensic archaeologist in court will be a key component of the module following your participation in a mock outdoor crime scene practical.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Know and understand the basic principles and limitations behind locating buried evidence through field craft, patterns of offender behaviour and the application of databases (Catchem, Necrosearch)
• 2. Recognise the role of the forensic archaeologist in the investigation of a major incident, from the crime scene to the court room
• 3. Identify evidence types within the buried environment and know and understand sampling procedures and issues of contamination
• 4. Know and understand the basic principles of forensic excavation
• 5. Demonstrate basic practical skills in locating buried remains, identifying evidence types, excavating anomalous features, soil sampling, recovering buried remains and recording the crime scene

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Demonstrate basic field skills
• 7. Work safely in the field
• 8. Have a competent overview of the use and acquisition of data
• 9. Effectively communicate methods and results to non-experts

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. Acquire a range of observational and analytical skills which are applicable in the wider world especially in the context of professional work

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Introduction to module; overview lecture on role of the forensic archaeologist and structure of those involved in the investigation of a major incident.
• Search and location, introducing the application and limitations of various techniques such as the use of field craft, geophysics, cadaver dogs, search databases, POLSA search teams.
• Forensic taphonomy. Identification of evidence types and the recovery of buried remains.
• Crime scene practical (8 hours). The forensic archaeologist in the courtroom practical.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Brothwell, D.R. and Pollard, A.M. (eds) 2001 Handbook of Archaeological Sciences. Chichester: Wiley.
• Hunter, J. and Cox, M, 2005 Forensic Archaeology: advances in theory and practice. London: Routledge.
• Hunter, J., Roberts, C. and Martin, A. 1996 Studies in Crime: An Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. London: Batsford.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2399

ELE contains lecture PowerPoint presentations, handouts and module details.

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Departmental archaeology excavation equipment
• Replica skeletons

Key words search

Forensic, taphonomy, archaeology