Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology (MSc) (Taught)

Forensic archaeology uses archaeological skills to assist with the location and recovery of human remains and forensic evidence. Forensic anthropology is the analysis of human remains for the medico-legal and humanitarian purposes of establishing identity.

Both play a key role in UK and international investigations in cases of inter-personal violence and homicide, repatriation, mass disasters, and war crimes.

Many of our staff are forensic experts. They will help you gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the skills needed to search for, and recover, human remains in a number of different scenarios and analyse and interpret skeletal remains.

You will learn how to write forensic archaeological and skeletal reports, and how these reports are used in the legal process, including presenting evidence as an expert witness in court.

You will develop the practical skills and knowledge required by those who search for missing people and will be involved in the recovery of remains from clandestine burials.

Modules: forensic human osteology; trauma and taphonomy; forensic archaeology 1; disaster victim identification; forensic human identification; forensic archaeology 2; forensic science and the law; research project.

Assessments will take the form of in-course essays, paper appraisal and practical exercises in addition to final degree examinations and MSc research dissertation.