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Forensic Archaeology

Module description

In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the techniques, processes, and theories that underpin forensic archaeological practice, with theoretical concepts reinforced through hands-on exercises and simulations. You will develop the ability to search for, locate, identify, recover, record and interpret evidence from scenes of forensic interest, whilst adhering to admissibility principles, legislative frameworks, and scene of crime protocols.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the role of the forensic archaeologist from crime scene to court, alongside the theories and practical skills that underpin this work.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Understand the key principles, theories and techniques used during forensic archaeological investigations.
• 2. Use terms and conventions commonly employed in forensic archaeology.
• 3. Demonstrate an ability to identify human remains in a range of taphonomic states.
• 4. Demonstrate knowledge and understand the basic principles and limitations associated with locating buried evidence through field craft and patterns of offender behaviour.
• 5. Recognise the role of the forensic archaeologist in the investigation of a major incident, from the crime scene to the court.
• 6. Demonstrate knowledge of how to identify evidence types within the buried environment; understand sampling procedures and issues of contamination.
• 7. Demonstrate understanding of the principles that underpin archaeological excavation, recording and interpretation.
• 8. Demonstrate an awareness of the work undertaken by forensic archaeologists in criminal, humanitarian and mass disaster contexts, both nationally and internationally.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 9. Show initiative in interpreting a variety of information forms.
• 10. Demonstrate familiarity with the literature base relevant to forensic archaeology.
• 11. Have a competent overview of the use and acquisition of data.
• 12. Demonstrate competence in summarising published work.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 13. Acquire a range of observational and analytical skills which are applicable in the wider world especially in the context of professional work.
• 14. 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 the following topics: 

• The origin, development and scope of forensic archaeology 
• Ethical considerations and practice   
• Legislative frameworks and admissibility regulations
• Role of the forensic archaeologist from crime scene to court
• Role of the forensic archaeologist in domestic, international and mass disaster investigations  
• Collaboration and contribution of other scene personnel and forensic experts
• The search for and detection of illicit activity
• The search for and detection of human remains
• The recovery and recording of forensic evidence, scenes and human remains
• Forensic taphonomy
• Archaeological excavation
• Archaeological recording
• Digital approaches
• Health and safety

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

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Reading materials:

• Adams, B. and Byrd, J., 2014: Commingled Human Remains: Methods in Recovery, Analysis and Identification. Elsevier Science: San Diego.
• Balme, J. and Paterson, A., 2013: Archaeology in Practice: A Student Guide to Archaeological Analysis. Second Edition. Wiley, Chichester.
• Blau, S. and Ubelaker, D.H., 2009: Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek. 
• Ellingham, S., Adserias-Garriga, J., Zapico, S.C. and Ubelaker, D.H., 2023: Burnt Human Remains: Recovery, Analysis, and Interpretation. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.
• Evis, L., 2016. Forensic Archaeology: The Application of Comparative Excavation Methods and Recording Systems. Archaeopress Publishing, Oxford.
• Ferllini, R., 2007: Forensic Archaeology and Human Rights Violations. Charles C Thomas, Springfield Illinois
• Gills, C., 2007: First Aid for the Excavation of Archaeological Textiles. Oxbow Books, Oxford.
• Groen, M.W.J., Márquez-Grant, N. and Janaway, R., 2015: Forensic Archaeology: A Global Perspective. John Wiley and Sons, Newark.
• Gunn, A. 2019: Essential Forensic Biology. Third Edition. Wiley, Chichester.
• Haglund, W.D. and Sorg, M.H., 1997: Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
• Haglund, W.D. and Sorg, M.H., 2002: Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory and Archaeological Perspectives. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
• Hunter, J. and Cox, M., 2015: Forensic Archaeology: Advances in Theory and Practice. Routledge, London.
• Hunter, J., Roberts, C. and Martin, A., 1996: Studies in Crime: An Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. Batsford, London.
• Hunter, J. Simpson, B. and Colls, C.S., 2013: Forensic Approaches to Buried Remains. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester.
• Joris, K. and Balcells, M., 2014: Cultural Property Crime: An Overview and Analysis of Contemporary Perspectives and Trends. Brill, Boston.
• Knüsel, C.J. and Schotsmans, E.M.J., 2022: The Routledge Handbook of Archaeothanatology: Bioarchaeology of Mortuary Behaviour, Routledge, London.
• Moran, K.S. and Gold, C.L., 2019: Forensic Archaeology: Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Springer International Publishing, New York.
• Oxenham, M., 2008: Forensic Approaches to Death, Disaster and Abuse. Australian Academic Press, Brisbane.
• Renshaw, L., 2016: Exhuming Loss: Memory, Materiality and Mass Graves of the Spanish Civil War. Taylor and Francis, Walnut Creek.
• Richards, M.P. and Britton, K., 2020: Archaeological Science: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
• Roberts, J. and Márquez-Grant, N., 2012: Forensic Ecology: From Crime Scene to Court. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester.
• Schotsmans, E.M.J., Márquez-Grant, N. and Forbes, S.L., 2017: Taphonomy of Human Remains: Forensic Analysis of the dead and the depositional environment. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester. 
• Smith, E. and Klinkner, M., 2023: Mass Graves, Truth and Justice: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Investigation of Mass Graves. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham.
• Symes, S., Pokines, J.T. and L’Abbé, E.N., 2022: Manual of Forensic Taphonomy. Second Edition. CRC Press, Boca Raton. 
• Weiner, S., 2010: Microarchaeology: Beyond the Visible Archaeological Record. Cambridge University Press, New York.

Journals:

• Forensic Science International
• International Journal of Legal Medicine
• Journal of Archaeological Science
• Journal of Forensic Sciences
• Science and Justice

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE2

Key words search

Archaeology, Forensic Science, Crime Scene