During this course you will become familiar with the background and procedures used in forensic archaeology.  You will learn specific techniques to be used in the search, excavation and recovery of skeletonized human remains and associated evidence. 

The bones of the human skeleton will be identified and you will learn how to determine the age, sex and race of the individual.  In addition, the techniques employed to document the evidence found at the crime scene will be examined in detail.

Exercises involving the search and recovery of surface skeletons will provide you with "hands-on" experience as you employ the excavation techniques taught in class to locate and unearth mock graves.

Topics include:
•  Search techniques in locating graves and skeletal remains
•  Excavation of buried bodies
•  The different bones of the human skeleton
•  Determining the age, sex and race of the skeletal remains
•  Determining the time, manner and cause of death of skeletal remains
•  Collection, packaging and transportation of skeletal material and physical evidence
•  Documentation through photography and sketching
•  Using archaeological techniques in homicide investigations
•  Search, recovery and excavation of mock burials and surface skeletons through field exercises

Audience:   Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, prosecutors, and military investigative personnel

Course length:  40 hours