Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry Arena

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• Price: $99.95 $89.96
• Hardback: 398 pages
• Also available in e-Book
• Published: October 2011
• ISBN: 978-1-4398503-0-5
• Publisher: CRC Press

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This reference, now in its second edition, is a comprehensive guide that focuses on the practical aspects of excavating and recovering human remains, as well as any associated evidence, from crime scenes. It highlights the protocols and techniques that are used to successfully survey, map, recover, document, collect, and transport evidence. New additions to the reference include discussion questions and suggested readings, updated mapping and measuring techniques, including a section on GIS and backpack differential GPS systems, expanded information on botany, DNA, and soil, and non-forensic burial contexts. Almost 200 illustrations are included to help clarify concepts.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Forensic Archaeology

Anthropology in the Medicolegal Process

What Do Forensic Anthropologists Do?

What Do Forensic Archaeologists Do?

Locating and Eliminating Areas of Interest

Interpreting Scene Context

Mapping the Scene

Excavation of Remains

Collecting Remains and Evidence

Education and Training

Employment in Academic and Nonacademic Settings

Locating a Forensic Anthropologist or Forensic Archaeologist

Tools and Equipment

Search and Site Preparation Equipment

Field Excavation Equipment

Mapping and Measuring Equipment

Drawing and Recording Equipment

Optional Equipment

Caring for Your Equipment

Basic Field Equipment Checklist

Human Skeletal Terminology

Terms Associated with Bone Morphology

Terms Associated with Bone Features

Anatomical or Relative Position

Basic Adult Human Skeleton

Basic Juvenile Human Skeleton

Basic Human Dentition

Terms Associated with Dental Morphology and Position

Dental Numbering Systems

Understanding the Forensic Context

Defining a Forensic Context

Indications of a Forensic Context

Location of Remains

Position and Orientation of the Body

Preservation of the Remains

Associated Artifacts and Evidence

Common Non-Forensic Contexts

Prehistoric Finds

Historic and Modern Cemetery Settings

Ritualistic or Anatomical Use of Remains

Search Techniques for Locating Human Remains

Types of Search Areas

Planning the Search

Visual Foot Searches

Strip or Line Pattern

Grid Pattern

Spiral Pattern

Other Recommendations for Visual Searches

Briefing Team Members Prior to Search

Indications of Surface Deposit of Remains

Common Taphonomic Processes of Dispersal

Dispersed Remains

Indications of Burial of Remains

Cadaver Dogs

What Is a Cadaver Dog?

Limitation of Cadaver Dogs

Locating a Cadaver Dog

Intrusive Search Methods

Probe Searches

Shovel Testing and Shovel Shining

Heavy Equipment Searches

Methods of Geophysical Survey

Ground-Penetrating Radar

Electromagnetic Induction Meters

Electrical Resistivity Meters

Magnetometers

Magnetic Locators

Metal Detectors

Side-Scan Sonar

Locating a Geophysical Survey Consultant

Surveying and Mapping Methods

Units of Measure

Using Maps

Using the Global Positioning System

Using Aerial Imagery

Creating Sketch Maps

Creating a Site Plan

Datums, Baselines, and Offsets

Transit Survey Systems

Compass Survey Maps

Creating Scaled Drawings

Establishing Limits and Using the Datum

Frameworks for Drawing to Scale

Section Drawings from Mapped Data

Mapping on a Slope

Applying Archaeological Methods in a Forensic Context

General Principles of Archaeology

Provenience and Context

Features

Stratigraphy and Soils

Principles of Deposition

Geotaphonomy

Archaeological Approaches to Recovering Human Remains

Recovering Surface Remains and Associated Evidence

Removing Buried Remains and Associated Evidence

How to Use an Archaeological Trowel

Collecting Botanical and Entomological Evidence

Forensic Botany

Sources of Botanical Evidence

Collecting and Preserving Botanical Evidence

Locating a Forensic Botanist

Forensic Entomology

Insect Life Cycle

Insects Significant to the Recovery of Human Remains

Collecting and Preserving Entomological Evidence

Locating a Forensic Entomologist

Basic Entomology Collection Kit Checklist

Collecting Skeletal Remains

Human Skeletal Remains

Collecting Human Skeletal Remains

Collecting Juvenile Skeletal Remains

Collecting Fleshed Remains

Collecting Burnt Remains

Collecting Evidence of Surgical or Dental Modifications

Nonhuman Skeletal Remains

The Nonhuman Mammal Skeleton

The Avian Skeleton

The Reptilian Skeleton

The Amphibian Skeleton

The Fish Skeleton

Common Misidentifications of Human and Nonhuman Bone

Writing the Final Report

Report Contents

Beginning Information

Case Summary

Participants

Scene Information

Search Summary

Surface Deposit

Excavation Summary

Remains Recovered

Associated Evidence

Collected Samples

Photographs/Video

Field Drawings/Maps

References

Appendices

Signatures and Dates

Example of a Case Report

Appendix A: Adult Skeletal Inventory Form (Field Collection)

Appendix B: Infant Skeletal Inventory Form (Field Collection)

Appendix C: Child Skeletal Inventory Form (Field Collection)

Appendix D: Personnel and Scene Summary Form

Appendix E: Recovery Scene Context Form

Appendix F: Surface Deposit Recovery Form

Appendix G: Feature Excavation Form

Appendix H: Remains Summary Form

Appendix I: Forensic Entomology Data Collection Form

Appendix J: Photography/Video Record Form

Appendix K: Evidentiary Inventory Form

Appendix L: Evidentiary Chain of Custody Form

Glossary

Index

Author/Editor Biography

Tosha L. Dupras, Ph.D. specializes in bioarchaeology, particularly diet reconstruction through chemical analysis, and has been associated with the Dakhleh Oasis and Dayr al Barsha projects in Egypt where she has excavated in several cemeteries and analyzed many skeletal remains. Dupras also assists local law enforcement agencies with the search for and excavation of human remains.

John J. Schultz, Ph.D.’s primary research focuses on forensic and archaeological applications of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for grave detection, and detection of buried metallic weapons using various geophysical technologies. Schultz is also a consulting forensic anthropologist in the central Florida area for various law enforcement agencies and the local Medical Examiner’s Office.

Sandra M. Wheeler, Ph.D. specializes in bioarchaeology, paleopathology, juvenile osteology, and mortuary archaeology. Wheeler has conducted fieldwork in Belize and Mexico and continues to actively work with the Dakhleh Oasis Project, Egypt. She has assisted law enforcement in Florida and Canada with the search for and recovery of human remains.

Lana J. Williams, Ph.D. specializes in biochemical analysis of human remains, mortuary archaeology, and human osteology. Williams has conducted fieldwork in Greece and Belize and is currently working with the Dakhleh Oasis and Dayr al Barsha projects in Egypt. In addition, she has assisted law enforcement in Florida and Canada in the search, recovery, and analysis of human remains.