Progress to level 5 of a forensic or policing award

Student Handbook
PC and Projector
Blackboard VLE
Access to the garden of Crime Scene House (practical aspects)

100% - A PORTFOLIO of practical work based on a case study scenario and the fieldwork sessions.
Learning Outcomes 1-4

Additional Assessment Details
Criteria for assessing the summative work will be provided in the module handbook and via in-class discussions

Students will be provided with formative work and feedback during in-class exercises.

This module will examine the role of the forensic archaeologist, both within UK criminal investigations and international mass death scenarios. The fundamental principles of search, recovery and post-recovery analysis will be explored and the various scenarios in which forensic archaeologists can become involved in investigations centred around buried or concealed remains will be discussed. Students will be introduced to the various methods that can be employed by forensic archaeologists at crime scenes, such as intelligence gathering, remote sensing, geophysical survey and excavation. Case studies involving the search for, and recovery of, human remains, drugs, weapons and other clandestinely buried items will be presented, whilst specific sessions focusing on the logistical and environment factors that may hinder these investigations will be delivered. Sessions discussing the variety of trace evidence and samples that can be taken from a grave and their evidential value will allow the students to consider the methods introduced to them in other modules, such as Introduction to Forensic Science and Science For Justice, in the context of the burial environment. Practical sessions in geophysics and excavation will complement the taught components and provide the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of the methods discussed. Lectures by specialist practitioners regularly involved in case work will offer a `real-world' perspective. Additionally, students will be expected to critique specialist reports in order providing an opportunity to understand up-to-date developments within the discipline, and as enhance their research and analytical skills.

Hunter, J. and Cox, M. 2005. Forensic Archaeology: Advances in Theory and Practice. Routledge

Blau, S. and Ubelaker, D. 2010. Handbook of Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology. World Archaeology Congress

Killam, E. 2004. The Detection of Human Remains. Charles C Thomas

Hunter, J. Roberts, C. and Martin, A. 1996. Studies in Crime: An Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. Routledge

18 hours made up of tutor-led lecture/tutorial or problem solving classes. These sessions will introduce students to the theoretical aspects of forensic archaeological investigations and relevant case studies.

2 hours of practical work relating to the application of geophysical methods, 2 hours of practical work relating to the excavation of a clandestine grave and 2 hours of practical work relating to archaeological illustration.

126 hours of independent study will be used to research background material, case studies and to complement the practical sessions.

This module will examine the role of the forensic archaeologist, both within UK criminal investigations and international mass death scenarios. The fundamental principles of search, recovery and post-recovery analysis will be explored and the various scenarios in which forensic archaeologists can become involved in investigations centred around buried or concealed remains will be discussed. Students will be introduced to the various methods that can be employed by forensic archaeologists at crime scenes, such as intelligence gathering, remote sensing, geophysical survey and excavation. Case studies involving the search for, and recovery of, human remains, drugs, weapons and other clandestinely buried items will be presented, whilst specific sessions focusing on the logistical and environment factors that may hinder these investigations will be delivered. Sessions discussing the variety of trace evidence and samples that can be taken from a grave and their evidential value will allow the students to consider the methods introduced to them in other modules, such as Introduction to Forensic Science and Science For Justice, in the context of the burial environment. Practical sessions in geophysics and excavation will complement the taught components and provide the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of the methods discussed. Lectures by specialist practitioners regularly involved in case work will offer a `real-world' perspective. Additionally, students will be expected to critique specialist reports in order providing an opportunity to understand up-to-date developments within the discipline, and as enhance their research and analytical skills.