Recovery and Identification of Human Remains

MSc Recovery and Identification Of Human Remains

Delivery method: Full-time
Course Reference: MSRIHR

Course Overview

Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology employ a range of skills to search for, locate, recover and identify human remains. This course brings together principles from both fields to assist in the location and identification of the dead. This is needed in cases where human remains have been altered and changed over time, such as historic graves, crypts, missing person’s cases, human rights investigations, major incidents and disasters. This may range from searching for and excavating clandestine graves, excavating mass graves or recovering and identifying air crash victims.

The course is delivered by experienced practitioners with an emphasis on developing varied, employable, professional capabilities, and enhancing the skills of professionals working in this field. Human rights and disaster victim identification (DVI) are generating demand for skills in identification and the determination of the manner and cause of death. Such skills are also needed within the context of domestic criminal activity.

The School of Conservation Sciences at BU includes one of the largest communities of research-active and academic forensic archaeologists and anthropologists in the world. Our mission is to provide the latest theoretically informed, science-based learning as well as practice, research and consultancy relating to the natural and cultural environment. Externally, special relationships, exchange agreements and links with other institutions in the UK and overseas provide numerous opportunities for student placements and personal research. Collaborations have included the Forensic Search Advisory Group, United Nations (International Criminal Tribunals), International Commission for Missing Persons (IC-MP), Universities of Newfoundland, Johannesburg and Witwaterstrand (South Africa), State University of New York (SUNY) at Canton, Metropolitan Museum of Art New York and the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA).

In the School we use a blend of different learning methods from individual tuition during tutorials to formal lectures and practicals, with a range of group sizes. From this blend of styles students gain confidence and flourish in their chosen fields to become professionals in waiting.

The staff and students within the Centre for Archaeology, Anthropology & Heritage and the Centre for Forensic Sciences are undertaking ground breaking research in the field of forensic archaeology, forensic anthropology, physical anthropology and taphonomy, publishing leading books and material in these subjects. Staff are world leaders in the development of simulations of crime scenes such as mass graves, human rights crime scenes, temporary mortuaries and air crashes for training and are consultants worldwide for forensic archaeology.

The School is part of European Union funded schemes such as Socrates-Erasmus, Tempus and Leonardo adding to the cultural diversity of the School and providing opportunities for overseas study.