Forensic Anthropology Methods

Learning Objectives

The course combines lectures and practical sessions on the various methods used by forensic anthropologists in the investigation of heavily decomposed and skeletonised human remains. Students will be introduced in the working framework of the forensic anthropologists, will learn how to:

• examine unknown skeletal remains
• differentiate archaeological from modern skeletal remains
• assess differentiate animal from human bones
• estimate minimum number of individuals and sort commingled remains
• estimate age, sex, stature and ethnicity to built a biological profile
• identify and describe skeletal pathology
• apply basic methods of positive identification
• produce an odontogram
• produce a skeletal report for the court or an archaeological survey
• collaborate with other scientist in the investigation of cause and manner of death for a set of heavily decomposed and skeletonised human remains

Students will also be acquainted with the role of Forensic Anthropologist in Humanitarian missions. Finally the existing guidelines and code of practise in Forensic Anthropology, the validation of forensic methodology and the requirements for accreditation will be covered

Lectures

1. introduction to Forensic Anthropology: definition, history and active roles
2. Human vs Animal bones/ Forensic vs Archaeological remains – PMI estimation
3. Minimum number of individuals: Sorting commingled remains
4. Sex, population affinity & stature estimation
5. Age estimation of adult skeletal remains
6. Age estimation of juvenile skeletal remains
7. Age estimation of living individuals
8. Positive identification methods
9. The significance of skeletal pathology in forensic anthropology casework
10. Humanitarian aspects in Forensic Medical Practice
11. The Forensic Anthropology Report

Practical sessions: 10 x 2h

Recommended Bibliography

• Lecture Notes
• İşcan MY, Steyn M. Human Skeleton in Forensic Medicine,(3rd ed) Charles C. Thomas , Springfield, IL;2013
• Christensen AM, Passalacqua NV, Bartelink EJ. Forensic Anthropology: Current Methods and Practice Academic Press; 2014
• Thompson, T., & Black, S. Forensic Human Identification: An Introduction (1st ed.), CRC Press;2006