The Role and Future of Archaeology in Forensic Science Author(s): Douglas D.

Scott and Melissa Connor Source: Historical Archaeology, Vol. 35, No. 1, Archaeologists as Forensic Investigators: Defining the Role (2001), pp. 101-104 Published by: Society for Historical Archaeology Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25616897 Accessed: 24/11/2010 15:12
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101 Douglas D. Scott Melissa Connor why those responsible for the forensic projects included them in the investigation. The papers in this volume strongly point out there is a role for the archaeologist in forensic work, but there are problems in the archeologists' general lack of training in, and the lack of a professional commitment to, forensic science.

The Role and Future of Archaeology inForensic Science

does a North American archaeologist forensic work answer the question as to doing whether he or she is a forensic anthropologist? We have our degrees in anthropology, most of us consider ourselves anthropologists, and we do How

The Role
excavation, recovery, mapping, Archaeological are routinely and documentation techniques and human rights used in today's medico-legal investigations. The preceding sections discuss the use of pedestrian inventory and metal detec tor inventory for the recovery of evidence and

human remains; the documentation of spatial physical anthropology to questions of medicolegal it could be suggested that associations significance. While through mapping techniques, both forensic physical anthropology could more accu computer mapping techniques sophisticated the importance of a and simple sketch maps; rately be termed "forensic osteology," the cur rent definition of the term "forensic anthropol knowledge of soils both for the delineation of us use to term the "forensic archaeol leads ogy" features, and to interpret site taphonomy; and a mean to of the wide variety of excavation techniques. In addi ogy" application archaeological to of and questions goals paradigms, methods, tion, methods in firearm identification analysis and remote sensing overlap between the two significance. medicolegal A number of North American anthropologists fields. Many of the techniques archeologists cross work consider themselves forensic are familiar with in site location, excavation, doing and trained between physical anthropology documentation, and some analyses have, at some The term "bioarchaeology" was in a forensic time or another, been applied archaeology. coined to describe anthropological interdisciplin context. The preceding sections emphasize that there ary research between mortuary archaeology and in are differences in the human osteology. The use of archaeology application of archaeologi a forensic context is far more than a "forensic cal techniques to forensic investigations and It should involve the entire on a the inclusion of qualified archaeologists bioarchaeology." of archaeological theories and constellation forensic investigation team. Haglund outlines is applicable to forensic methods. Archaeology some of the reasons for the resistance among in the death situations far beyond the techniques investigators to include archaeologists, removal of a single body from a grave. Some including the perceived skill overlap between the to the have skills do forensic bioarchaeologists archaeologist and the crime scene technician and the ignorance of the archaeologist of crime scene work, but not all do. Some archaeologists have the necessary skills, but not all. This volume, protocol and etiquette. Many archaeologists out that on forensic cases so infrequently thatmuch work hopefully, points using archaeological skills in a forensic situation requires a mix of of the crime scene protocol is learned on the skills unique to itself. Sonderman the job. (this volume) describes The purpose of this volume is to work towards on onus The the well. is archaeolo experience and archae defining the role of archaeology gists to educate themselves in forensic work and to educate forensic specialists about what an ologists in forensic work by looking at the cur rent activities of professional archeologists and archaeologist may offer.

The answer would seem to be forensic work. as But defined yes. by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, forensic anthropology is of the methods and goals of the application

Historical Permission

Archaeology, 2001, 35(1):101?104. to reprint required.

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HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY 35(1)

is also not useful without a archaeologist At sites with strong background in osteology. remains, remains are frequently commingled separated on the basis of both spatial arrange ment and the age and sex of the individual. If remains are not well separated into individuals as they are removed from the ground, then chances for error in the post-mortem examina tions become much greater. starting point. As Crist (this volume) points out, there is a Archaeologists who engage in forensic work, level of professional commitment necessary to as in other types of archaeology, need an in be fully accepted in the forensic science world. depth knowledge of the types of artifacts likely to be encountered. In forensic work, thismeans Those who wish to offer their skills as forensic a so. in that incur specialists responsibility they need a solid grounding in modern doing that in includes weapons common to the area in which they are Fulfilling responsibility training in forensic working. A basic knowledge of firearms and the the forensic sciences, membership ammunition they fire is a necessary prerequisite. organizations, publication in forensic journals, In exhuming war dead, this also extends to gre and participation in forensic science conferences. We outline below what we perceive, and what nades, landmines, and other explosive ordnance the authors of this volume have suggested, which needs to identified and documented. This are the basic educational training requirements basic explosive related knowledge serves a dual needed to be that active and productive forensic purpose as unexploded ordnance may be found on site, and care needs to be exercised for investigation team member. The Training Archaeological For working in the forensic field, basic archae ological skills need to be well beyond those of a field school level. This includes not just excava tion techniques, but also survey, cartography, personal safety. A broad knowledge of modern material culture, as well as its use and history, is also neces sary. We find this knowledge common in those trained in the field of historic archaeology. All types of modern objects must be recognized in

In order to encourage the continued and grow in wells, open fields, implement excavations forested areas, rock shelters, caves, in burned ing use of archaeologists as forensic investiga tion team members, archaeologists who wish to and unburned situations, latrines, trash dumps, participate need to obtain the necessary training and urban situations, as well as cemeteries. and have the professional commitment to be These challenges reflect a theme that has run an active and productive team member. Beyond through this volume, the need for flexibility and the basic and for skills forensic acquiring training experience at a breadth of site types. Forensic a the must firm also have work is not the place to be initiated into the work, archaeologist of and exhumation of commingled skeletal material or grasp applying archaeological techniques to and forensic human situa cistern sites. The work proceeds at too fast paradigms rights or a tions. No archaeological pace to learn slowly and the result is too theory technique will transfer from one investigation domain to important to make beginner's mistakes on site. to fit the reality another without modification of the situation. This is especially true in the international investigation arena where political situations are less than stable and the criminal or justice system is often poorly developed constrained by different ideologies and cultural practices. Acquiring the skills necessary to be an archaeological forensic investigator is just a

soils, and remote sensing. The important factor is that the archaeologist has a broad base of experience. Archaeologists who have consistently worked on a single site type and/or a single geo graphical area may have a developed expertise within those parameters, but are unprepared for the variety of situations encountered in forensic work. Archaeologists need to be prepared to

finger of the left hand. These rings frequently carry inscriptions with dates and the initials or names of the people involved. While this is a we as not be familiar may simplistic example, with the material culture of other cultures. For

the fragments typically found in forensic sites. includes not only the archaeologist's own culture, but that of any other ethnic groups who might be encountered in the grave. In the cultures familiar to most of us, it is common for married people to wear a ring on the third This

Scott and Connor-THE ROLE AND FUTUREOF ARCHAEOLOGY INFORENSIC SCIENCE 103 Let us state here first that neither of the authors had formal university training in law enforcement, forensic sciences, or the criminal justice system. Our knowledge of these comes wearer. from extensive reading, professional development courses in forensic anthropology, and on-the-job A basic knowledge of osteology and osteo logical techniques is also necessary to enable training. So this section is the result of what In we have found to be necessary and beneficial accurate site documentation and recording. a multi-disciplinary team, the advanced analyses knowledge. The goal of this training is to build of human remains should be left to a full-time an understanding of the role and responsibilities physical anthropologist or pathologist. As stated of an archaeologist in a multi-disciplinary inves above, the sub-disciplines of anthropology have tigation. The first of these is an overall course in specialized to the point that it is difficult to have forensic sciences, presenting a broad overview of detailed knowledge in multiple sub-disciplines. Neither physical anthropology nor archaeology is the disciplines involved in modern criminology. so simplistic that it can be done well as a part This ranges from pathology to biochemistry to instance, a small package containing a wrapped piece of paper may be a Muslim prayer amulet that would help to shed light on the ethnicity, religion, and perhaps the identification of the

time occupation, but cross-disciplinary knowledge and training in human osteology is important in working with human remains recovery. A broad knowledge of curation techniques is also necessary for forensic work. Much of the material encountered in forensic cases will be that would not extremely perishable material become part of the normal archaeological record, such as clothing, personal papers, money, and religious or ethnic items. This material will

be disintegrating and may need immediate and extensive in-field stabilization and curation. This also extends to stabilization and transportation of material from the scene to the crime lab.

investigation is that the artifacts are evidence and that there is a legal chain of evidence that must be maintained. To treat an artifact as an artifact and not a piece of evidence with a chain of legal custody is to compromise an investigation, with the real potential to lose the case in the judicial system. Finally, an overview of the court system in which the person will be working, as well as other court systems around

osteology. A second useful course would be in crime scene investigation procedures. Again, this allows the archaeologist to understand where they fit into the overall hierarchy in the criminal justice system, as well as the role of the other individuals on site. One of the more important points to master as a team member of a forensic

be employed. Forensic

The archaeologist needs to work here with the evidence technicians and ensure that they both see the curation needs of the material and that neither the chain of evidence nor the evidence itself is compromised. On a large, complex site, a full-time curation specialist may need to

ences, physical evidence gathering protocols, ballistics, forensic photography, and the psycho social aspects of death and funerary rites in varying cultures are a necessary minimum for an archaeologist planning to participate in human rights forensic investigations.

cient for forensic work. Stover suggests courses on international humanitarian and human rights law, a general orientation to the forensic sci

Stover and Crist both point out that archaeo logical or osteological training alone is insuffi

the world is useful. Crist (this volume, Table 1) details specific courses and opportunities for training opportuni ties in the forensic field, applicable to archaeolo He includes courses at the National gists. Museum of Health and Medicine/Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the Smithsonian Institu tion, the U. S. Public Health Service's National Disaster Medical Interna System, NecroSearch tional and others. To date, similar courses are not taught at most universities. The Future

archaeology and forensic anthropology is real and difficult for forensic investigators outside of the

Forensic archaeology as a sub-discipline of or forensic science is far either archaeology from a reality. The overlap between forensic

104 disciplines to recognize. In fact, it is sometimes to difficult for those within the disciplines recognize. The constellation of skills necessary to work at crime scenes is wide and every

HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY 35(1)

for ologists have the skills and qualifications forensic work. However, no body of archaeolo gists themselves has yet determined what is necessary to be a "qualified" forensic archaeolo
gist.

archaeologist will not have the skills for every site. Many of the papers in this volume re-state the concept that as not all physical anthropolo gists are forensic anthropologists, not all archae

working in investigation. Crist discusses the possibilities of a certifying board of forensic archaeologists. Stover sug gests the formation of an international non governmental organization to act as a coordinat for ing body and informational clearinghouse archaeologists and forensic scientistswho wish to apply their skills and expertise to investigations of violations of human rights and humanitarian It may be possible to combine law worldwide. these two goals in a single body.

as Crist points out, through membership, and participation in, professional forensic associations. This commitment to, and acceptance of the responsibilities of, being a forensic professional is a current failing of almost all archaeologists

High profile forensic investigations have engen dered a strong interest in the forensic field in This is not the area for a theoretical archaeolo is an the last decades. Forensic archaeology gist. The forensic archaeologist needs experi exciting adjunct to the general fields of both ence at a variety of site types in a variety of archaeology and forensic sciences, and also is a geomorphological environments. The archaeolo It is a very demanding truly applied discipline. to at the have worked level of direct needs gist field of endeavor and should not be entered into lightly. The future of a discipline called ing these endeavors, in order to direct similar endeavors at a crime scene. The firstcriteria for "forensic archaeology" will depend on the com a forensic archaeologist, then, may be at least mitment of its practitioners to maintain high three years (not field seasons, but full years) expertise in multiple quality, professional-level of fieldwork at sites encompassing open sites, disciplines. structural sites, buried sites, caves, and well or Melissa Conner latrine sites. At least one full year of fieldwork should be at the Field Director level. 11101 South 98th Street In addition, a combination of on-the-job train Lincoln, NE 68526 in crime scene protocol ing and coursework and the responsibilities of a forensic scientist Douglas D. Scott Center Midwest Archeological are necessary. This can be demonstrated either Federal Building, Room 474 100 Centennial Mall North through written or oral tests. The commitment to the forensic sciences should be demonstrated, Lincoln, NE 68508
Forensic Anthropology, Inc.

The papers gathered here emphasize over and over again that recovery techniques are where archaeologists make their strongest contribution. This means a strong background in fieldwork.