Forensic Anthropology of the Human Skeleton

Course description

This course was formerly titled: The Answers are Written in Bone: Forensic Anthropology of the Human Skeleton.

This six-part series will examine topics of forensic anthropology, and teach you how to create an individual profile for unidentified human skeletal remains in a medico-legal context. Each lecture will be followed by a hands-on lab exercise, in which we will explore what happens to bodies when they decay in various environments, learn how to personally identify the deceased (including sex, age, stature), study causes of death from trauma or pathology, and practice processing outdoor crime scenes. This will involve the handling of human remains.

One session will take place outside (rain or shine on the UVic campus) and will involve crouching, as well as searching on the hands and knees. Appropriate outdoor attire is required. You will receive more information at the first lecture.