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Forensic Anthropology

Module description

This module establishes the framework of the parent field, biological anthropology (with emphases on human anatomy and human biology) in order to explore the parameters by which to establish the personal identity (bio-profiling) of the deceased, a procedure that lies at the base of both forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module provides an introductory survey of the basic principles of the study of human remains to establish personal identity with emphases on the metric and non-metric characterisation of skeletal shape and size, and application of demographic reference standards for age and sex determination and population affinity. It also introduces pathological and anatomical variation applied to establishing human identity and the place of such studies within the discipline of biological anthropology.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Demonstrate understanding of the key concepts of forensic anthropology
• 2. Use terms and conventions commonly employed in forensic anthropology
• 3. Demonstrate competence in the identification of the bones of the human skeleton

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. Show initiative in interpreting a variety of information forms
• 5. Demonstrate familiarity with the literature base germane to forensic anthropology

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 6. Demonstrate competence in summarising published research
• 7. Demonstrate a competent knowledge base under examination conditions

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:

• Skeletal anatomy
• Determination of age-at-death from skeletal remains
• Determination of ancestral heritage from skeletal remains
• Determination of stature from human remains
• Determination of biological sex from human remains
• Definition and identification of pathological conditions
• Categorisation and identification of trauma
• Categorisation and identification of non-metric anatomical variants
• Role of the forensic anthropologist from crime scene to court
• Role of the forensic anthropologist in international criminal investigations
• Role of the forensic anthropologist in mass disaster investigations

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

• Bass, W.M., 2005: Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual. Columbia: Missouri Archaeological Society.
• Blau, S. and Ubelaker, D.H., 2009: Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. Walnut Creek: Left Coast Press.
• Boddington, A., Garland, A.N. and Janaway, R.C., 1987: Death, Decay and Reconstruction: Approaches to Archaeology and Forensic Science.
• Brickley, M. and Ferllini, R., 2007: Forensic Anthropology Case Studies from Europe. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas.
• Byers, S,N., 2011: Introduction to forensic anthropology. Harlow: Pearson Education.
• Evis, L., 2016. Forensic Archaeology: The Application of Comparative Excavation Methods and Recording Systems. Oxford: Archaeopress Publishing. 
• Gunn, A. 2019: Essential Forensic Biology. Third Edition. Chichester: Wiley.
• Haglund, W.D. and Sorg, M.H., 1997: Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
• Haglund, W.D. and Sorg, M.H., 2002: Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory and Archaeological Perspectives. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
• 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.
• Hunter, J. Simpson, B. and Colls, C.S., 2013: Forensic Approaches to Buried Remains. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
• Klepinger, L., 2006: Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology. Chichester: Wiley-Liss.
• Richards, M.P. and Britton, K., 2020: Archaeological Science: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• White, T.D. and Folkens, P.A., 2005: The Human Bone Manual. Amsterdam: Academic Press.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE - https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11468

Key words search

Archaeology, Anthropology, Forensic Science, Osteology