Short Courses Offered:

Forensic Anthropology Field Methods - June 2-4, 2010 (click here)

This is a 3-day field intensive course designed to enhance one’s knowledge in forensic recovery techniques. Various mapping techniques and equipment will be discussed and applied to an outdoor context. Participants will be responsible for the recovery of scattered and buried human remains at the Anthropological Research Facility. This course is best suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in physical and forensic anthropology that have experience with osteology.

Outdoor Recovery Course - June 7-11, 2010 (click here)

This course is designed for medico-legal personnel that are actively involved in the recovery of human remains. Participants will be introduced to the role of the forensic anthropologist in a forensic investigation and how they can assist in the recovery of remains in an outdoor context. Topics covered include the basics of time since death determination and an introduction to new techniques available to law enforcement, the basics of insect collection and the use of entomological data, and forensic odontology. The archaeological approach to surface and burial recovery and the use of current technology available to aid in the recovery of human remains at the Anthropological Research Facility will be emphasized.

Pre-requisites: Participants must be gainfully employed in the medico-legal community. Medical Examiners, death investigators, law enforcement or other related fields will be considered.

Introduction to Human Identification - July 5-9, 2010 (click here)

This is a laboratory methods course designed to provide an overview of the methods used to analyze human remains. Participants will review human versus non-human osteology, examine age, sex, stature, and ancestry estimation using the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection, and ways in which to establish a positive identification. Quantitative methods in forensic anthropology and data collection techniques will also be discussed. Participants will apply learned material to selected cases and present these to the class.

Pre-requisites: Participants should have some knowledge of Anthropology and/or Anatomy, or have previous forensic skills or educational-related background.

Advanced Laboratory Methods in Forensic Anthropology - July 12-16, 2010 (click here)

This is a hands-on laboratory based course designed to enhance prior knowledge in forensic anthropology techniques. Participants will analyze several case examples to understand alternative methods used in the construction of the biological profile. The uses of transitional analysis aging and the ADBOU program and statistical methods and FORDISC 3.0 will be discussed. The basics of paleopathology and trauma identification and interpretation will also be covered. Participants will be given extensive material to analyze and discuss throughout the week.

Pre-requisites: Participants must have prior experience with osteology and have advanced experience in anthropological techniques. Preference will be given to graduate students and professionals in the field.

Death and Decay: Forensic Taphonomy - July 19-23, 2010 (click here)

This is a laboratory and field methods class in which participants will learn the various taphonomic influences that would affect the recovery and identification of human remains. Participants will be provided with an overview of the biological profile and the role of taphonomy in this process. Topics covered include human decomposition and postmortem interval estimation techniques, forensic entomology, and natural taphonomic effects on bone (e.g. post-mortem scavenging and bone weathering). An introduction to mapping and recovery in relation to these processes will also be discussed. Participants will be required to recover the remains from a fire scene and an outdoor context, and be able to interpret how fire and other taphonomic processes influence bone.

Pre-requisites: Participants must have a background in field and/or scene recovery methods, osteology and anthropology, or have taken a previous FAC course.

For more information please contact Rebecca Wilson