Summary of Week 5
This week has been a bit more technical and some of you may have found the content more challenging. If so, then please ensure that you have a look at …
Course: Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
DNA CASE STUDY
Perhaps one of the most famous cases of DNA identification is that of the skeletal remains of the last Russian Royal Family: the Romanovs. The Romanov family was the last …
Ancient DNA Analysis
Although based on the same principles, ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis requires extra protection against contamination. Watch this video to learn more about the process of preparing and analysing samples for …
Forensic Archaeology: DNA Sampling
DNA Sampling What bones should be sampled? Teeth and bones are the most environmentally resistant human tissues, and they can survive, even for millennia, when the soft tissues are long …
DNA in Forensic Contexts
With the exception of monozygotic (identical) twins, the genetic information of a person is unique and can, therefore, be used for human identification in conflicts, mass disasters or crime scene …
What is DNA?
DNA Analysis: The Answer to all our problems? Most people know a lot about DNA. Or perhaps think they do from watching crime programmes or from using Ancestry DNA kits, …
Application to Forensic Cases
It is tempting to see isotopes as a conclusive method for identifying whereabouts someone was born and grew up because they are a scientific method and provide a ‘number’. There …
Investigating Migration
You are where you eat Isotope analyses of strontium (87Sr/86Sr), oxygen (δ18O), and lead (Pb – various ratios) can provide information on the movements of past populations by identifying individuals …
Reconstructing diet from isotopes
You are what you eat! Isotopic analysis of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) is a well-established technique for the reconstruction of human and animal diets in past populations. In teeth …
Preparing and performing isotopic analysis
In this video see how teeth are prepared for isotopic analyses. Once you understand the process a bit better, go to the next step to learn about how isotopes inform …
What is an Isotope?
Stable isotope analysis has had a transformative impact on the archaeological study of humans. Analyses of the ratios of different chemical elements within bones and teeth have allowed archaeologists to …
Skeletal Pathology in Forensic Investigation
Evidence of pathology and trauma on the skeleton provide important information that can help to identify the deceased and can provide possible evidence of the circumstances or cause of death. …
Skeletal Pathology and Trauma
In this section, we’re going to talk about skeletal pathology, so abnormal changes on the bones. As you might expect, this is a vast subject, there have been lots of …
Forensic Odontology: A Case Study
Identification of a Murder Victim The following case provided by Dr Claudia Garrido-Varas (pictured above) will illustrate some of the benefits of dental forensic examination for human identification, using both …
Recording Teeth and Dental Pathology
Dental disease is routinely studied in both archaeological and modern skeletons because it is such a rich source of information. Not only can dental disease be useful in helping to …
