Thesis (B. S.)--University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse, 2008. / Also available online. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 19-20).

This dissertation outlines the history of the discipline of forensic archaeology in South Africa, reviewing its development over the years. Forensic archaeology is an important discipline in the detection and recovery of human remains and related evidence. While forensic archaeology has been shown to be important, it’s existence is largely within the shadows of forensic anthropology. What is further evident is that it’s development has been significantly varied from one country to the next. I principally focused on four countries (Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and South Africa) to critically assess its historical development. Furthermore, two sets of respondents were interviewed through the use of questionnaires to provide the necessary insights. These were the students studying Physical Anthropology (ANA 315) and the professionals working directly and indirectly within the industry of forensic archaeology. I found that the discipline is in its embryonic stages in the country, with no one really identifying as a forensic archaeologist. There are no independent courses offered for one to train as a specialist in the field. Equally, there are no set of requirements for those who wish to practice as forensic archaeologists. / Dissertation (MA (Archaeology))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Anthropology and Archaeology / MA (Archaeology) / Unrestricted

This project uses radionuclides from the uranium-238 decay chain series in conjunction with lead, strontium carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios to achieve accurate dating and geographical sourcing of human skeletal remains. A pilot study was conducted in order to test the hypothesis that 210pb stored within the skeleton during life decays at a known rate once death occurs. Samples of femur were used from 12 Portuguese individuals whose year of death was known.

The use of geophysical tools to locate clandestine burials involving bodies has seen increasing popularity among forensic personnel. Often, these search methods are important to highlight certain areas where a body may or may not be located prior to utilizing invasive search techniques. Because of the success of these tools within real-life forensic searches, the use of controlled studies that monitor and detect cadavers over certain lengths of time have been increasingly utilized. However, these controlled studies have not monitored various burial scenarios that mimic real-life situations. This study focused on detecting and monitoring six burials containing pig carcasses used as proxies for human bodies and two control burials with a conductivity meter and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with a 500-MHz and a 250-MHz antenna over a twelve month period. Each burial within this study represented a different forensic scenario that mimicked a real-life situation. Further, forensic use of GPR in both controlled settings as well as real-life searches have mainly focused on the use of a 500-MHz antenna. Therefore, this research also compared the use of a 250-MHz antenna with a 500-MHz antenna. Lastly, a number of GPR imagery options were utilized including reflection profiles and horizontal slices with various GPR software programs to compare the results obtained. Results obtained from the conductivity meter were compared to the results obtained by both antennae of the GPR. Overall, the use of multiple GPR imagery options provided increased resolution of the burial scenarios. Results showed that the conductivity meter was not a beneficial geophysical tool because none of the burial scenarios were detected. On the other hand, the use of GPR showed that the graves with objects added to the pig carcasses provided iv increased resolution compared to the graves containing only pig carcasses. Lastly, the 250-MHz antenna provided better resolution of the burial scenarios than the 500-MHz antenna due to easier discrimination of the forensic targets. Therefore, the use of a 250-MHz antenna would be a viable option to search for clandestine burials containing adult-sized bodies

No

This thesis explores the extent to which forensic archaeology and forensic anthropology are utilised within Great Britain and to what extent they aid, or do not aid, medico-legal investigation of death. Chapter One introduces the topic and considers the need for an exploration of these issues. In Chapter Two, the differences between the American and British situations are examined and an explanation for the differences proposed, based on the development of the academic ‘parent’ disciplines during the last century. Chapter Three explores issues around accreditation and registration in the UK. The role of the courts in maintaining standards of expert evidence is examined. National and European schemes are considered. After considering the practitioners in this way, Chapter Four looks at the methods, and how the practitioners’ experience informs their choice of method. One specific topic for each discipline is discussed in depth and the complexity of choice illustrated. The difficulty in assessing the full scope for use of forensic archaeology and forensic anthropology are detailed in Chapter Five, with the marked lack of available research data. The problems inherent in media-derived data are considered. The scope for use of the two disciplines is discussed and illustrated with examples from the Media Derived Case List In Chapter Six, a complex multiple-burial multiple-murder case is discussed; and interviews across one police force area are discussed. These illustrate the use and usefulness of forensic archaeology in practice. Conclusions are drawn in Chapter Seven, and radical recommendations are made.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Nov. 18, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-97).

ABSTRACT Delic, Admira. 2007. Forensisk arkeologi: Har forensisk arkeologi en framtid i Sverige? (Forensic archaeology: Is there a future for forensic archaeology in Sweden? C-uppsats i arkeologi. Högskolan i Kalmar ht 2007) This paper is about what forensic archaeology means, how the work is done, what methods are used in a forensic investigation. It is discussed whether there is any difference between how archaeologists and forensic scientists work. Interviews with archaeologists, an osteologists and a forensic scientist are made in order to get a wider perspective of the subject. Keywords: Sweden, Forensic archaeology, criminal science, ostoelogy, AFFA

<p>ABSTRACT</p><p>Delic, Admira. 2007. Forensisk arkeologi: Har forensisk arkeologi en framtid i Sverige?</p><p>(Forensic archaeology: Is there a future for forensic archaeology in Sweden? C-uppsats i arkeologi. Högskolan i Kalmar ht 2007)</p><p>This paper is about what forensic archaeology means, how the work is done, what methods are used in a forensic investigation. It is discussed whether there is any difference between how archaeologists and forensic scientists work. Interviews with archaeologists, an osteologists and a forensic scientist are made in order to get a wider perspective of the subject.</p><p>Keywords: Sweden, Forensic archaeology, criminal science, ostoelogy, AFFA</p>

Yes / For the printed issue of the journal in which this article appears, please see the library catalogue.