Forensic Recovery of Human Remains : Archaeological Approaches, Second Edition

This reference, now in its second edition, is a comprehensive guide that focuses on the practical aspects of excavating and recovering human remains, as well as any associated evidence, from crime scenes. It highlights the protocols and techniques that are used to successfully survey, map, recover, document, collect, and transport evidence. New additions to the reference include discussion questions and suggested readings, updated mapping and measuring techniques, including a section on GIS and backpack differential GPS systems, expanded information on botany, DNA, and soil, and non-forensic burial contexts. Almost 200 illustrations are included to help clarify concepts.

Processing a crime scene where human remains are found presents unique challenges and requires specialized techniques not generally learned in standard crime scene and law enforcement training. This volume is an updated, comprehensive reference pertaining to the search, recovery, documentation, and excavation of human remains and associated evidence from forensic contexts. Highlights include chapters on understanding the forensic context and writing the final report, locating experts, terminology and equipment, surveying and mapping techniques, excavation of buried evidence, and guidelines for distinguishing between human and nonhuman skeletal remains. Case studies and discussion questions facilitate further study.