Forensic Archaeology: Principles and Theory module (CA51016)

Learn how forensic archaeologists have helped solve crimes. Learn how to find and recover the dead in criminal and humanitarian investigations

Credits

Module code

CA51016

Gives you an overview of the role of the forensic archaeologist from the location and recovery of human remains through to the court of law in the UK. Learn the theoretical principles that underpin the discipline within domestic and international investigative frameworks within major crime investigations. Learn the theoretical principles which underpin the discipline within domestic and international investigative frameworks. We'll discuss the importance of the burial environment and the ethical considerations central to forensic archaeology.

Forensic archaeology is the use of archaeological theory and methods in criminal investigations.

This module is an overview of the role of the forensic archaeologist. It introduces the use of archaeology in criminal and humanitarian investigations. It also covers the location and recovery of human remains through to the court of law in the UK.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

consider the role of the forensic archaeologist within an investigation process
describe the use of search strategies in different physical environments. These include geophysical survey and victim recovery dogs
summarise the changes to the ground which can identify the location of a burial in a forensic search
interpret archaeological plans and drawings
discuss the impact of the environment and treatment of the body on the search and recovery of human remains. This includes aqueous environments or wrapped bodies
identify and discuss the current ethical challenges of forensic archaeology

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

design a search and recovery strategy appropriate to specific scenarios
use maps and digital resources to direct search strategies
analyse stratigraphic events to understand the chronological development of a crime scene