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Certificate of Achievement
has completed the following course:
Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
This course covered the principles and practice of archaeology and anthropology within a range of different forensic contexts using real-life case studies. Topics covered included, the location of grave sites using methods such as remote sensing, decomposition and taphonomy, excavation methods, establishing human identity from skeletal remains, identification of pathology and trauma, stable isotope and DNA analysis in forensic contexts, the challenges of commingled and cremated human remains.
6 weeks, 3 hours per week
Rebecca Gowland
Professor of Archaeology
Durham University
Tim Thompson
Professor of Applied Biological Anthropology and Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching)
Durham University
Transcript
Learning outcomes
- Explore the application of archaeology and anthropology to different forensic contexts
- Develop knowledge of the latest methods in forensic archaeology and anthropology
- Compare the roles of different forensic specialists
- Interpret the post-mortem changes to the human body in differing contexts
- Describe a range of forensic case studies
- Evaluate the potentials and limitations of the scientific methods used to locate and recover human remains in forensic contexts
- Investigate the different scientific techniques used to identify deceased individuals from skeletal remains and establish cause of death
- Reflect on learning gained throughout the course, including the latest research, and how this can be applied to modern forensic and archaeological contexts.
Syllabus
- Body location and recovery in forensic contexts
- Osteoprofiling (skeletal analysis of sex, age-at-death, stature)
- Identification of pathology and trauma
- Latest developments in biomolecular techniques
- Taphonomic processes (decomposition and commingling of human remains)
- Forensic case studies (e.g. post-conflict regions, mass disasters)
In association with
Issued on 15th November 2021
The person named on this certificate has completed the activities in the transcript above. For more information about Certificates of Achievement and the effort required to become eligible, visit futurelearn.com/proof-of-learning/certificate-of-achievement.
This certificate represents proof of learning. It is not a formal qualification, degree, or part of a degree.