This course in intended
to give the student an introduction to the techniques needed when
with human remains within the legal frame work: at a crime and mass
scene, and as well at the mortuary. The course provides students
skills required to produce a basic legal statement based on the
human remains as it is done at a mortuary, and to aid the police in
of the person(s) in question by understanding what the police looks
how to work within a multidisciplinary team of forensic
DNA specialists and others. It is expected that the students
this course has a basic knowledge of human osteology or have taken ARLCG143
Morphology and Palaeopathology of the Human Skeleton
Aims of the course
- To introduce students to the wide range of crimes and circumstances where the Forensic Anthropologist is required.
- To provide students with a comprehensive background in the function and role of forensic anthropological skills in forensic identification at the scene and mortuary.
- To outline the role of other forensic specialists when arriving at an identification.
- To introduce the students to the stages of body decomposition and how it applies to forensic identification.
- To introduce the student in the analysis of cremated remains and the application in forensic cases.
On completion of the course the student should:
- Fully understand the varied role of the forensic anthropologist
- Have an understanding of what is required at a scene and at a mortuary.
- Understand the importance of working within a multidisciplinary team
- Recognize when the skills in human identification could assist the investigations, and when other specialists have to be called in.
- Be able to write a simple report based on anthropological findings
Teaching the course is accomplished by a combination of formal lectures, as well as by discussion and practical sessions. Each teaching session focuses on a particular topic and has an associated reading list.
- Code: ARCLG151
- Credits: 15
- Coordinator: Carolyn Rando
- Prerequisite: It is expected that students have a basic knowledge of human osteology and biological profiling.
- Handbook: open»
For registered students
- Moodle page: open»
- Turnitin id: 611829
- Reading list:
Availability: Runs every year