Forensic recovery of human remains : archaeological approaches

376 Pages·2012·16.93 MB·English

by  Dupras

K12288_cover 9/30/11 11:40 AM Page 1
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
FORENSICS & CRIMINAL JUSTICE D Second Edition
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Forensic Recovery of Human Remains h
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Archaeological Approaches i
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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 F
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enforcement training. Without proper guidance, scenes can be improperly processed and
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vital evidence lost. Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches, e
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Second Edition is an updated, comprehensive reference pertaining to the search,
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recovery, documentation, and excavation of human remains and associated evidence from i
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forensic contexts. R
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Highlights in the Second Edition include: c
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• New chapters on understanding the forensic context and writing the final report v
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• Information on locating experts in forensic archaeology and forensic anthropology r
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• Necessary terminology, equipment, and methods for search, recovery, and excavation

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• Geophysical technologies for searches involving metallic evidence, graves,
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and submerged bodies H
• Surveying and mapping techniques u
• Instruction on excavation of buried evidence m
• Advice on recognizing and collecting associated botanical and entomological evidence a
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• Guidelines for distinguishing between human and nonhuman skeletal remains

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This edition presents a greater emphasis on classroom use and instruction and includes m
case studies, key terms, discussion questions, and suggested readings to facilitate further
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study. An essential reference for forensic experts and non-experts alike, this volume provides i
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the tools necessary to ensure that every piece of potential evidence at the scene is uncovered
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Tosha L. Dupras
and properly processed.
Second John J. Schultz
K12288
Edition
Sandra M. Wheeler
Lana J. Williams
6000 Broken Sound Parkway, NW
Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
711 Third Avenue
an informa business New York, NY 10017
www.crcpress.com 2 Park Square, Milton Park w w w. c r c p r e s s . c o m
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Composite
Second Edition
Forensic Recovery
of Human Remains
Archaeological Approaches

Second Edition
Forensic Recovery
of Human Remains
Archaeological Approaches
Tosha L. Dupras
John J. Schultz
Sandra M. Wheeler
Lana J. Williams
Boca Raton London New York
CRC Press is an imprint of the
Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742
© 2012 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business
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Version Date: 2011928
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to all of the law enforcement officers, fire investigators,
crime scene personnel, and forensic investigators, who, through their tireless
efforts, work to solve cases. The strong emotional toll that this work takes
on all of those involved is great, but with each individual who is recovered,
and once again remembered for who he or she was rather than for the events
surrounding that person’s death, the costs are overshadowed by the solace
brought to families of missing loved ones.
And also to Ruger, a one-of-a-kind dog who is greatly missed but whose
accomplishments live on.
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Table of Contents
Foreword to the Second Edition xv
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments xix
The Authors xxi
1 Introduction to Forensic Archaeology 1
1.1 Anthropology in the Medicolegal Process 2
1.2 What Do Forensic Anthropologists Do? 3
1.3 What Do Forensic Archaeologists Do? 5
1.3.1 Locating and Eliminating Areas of Interest 5
1.3.2 Interpreting Scene Context 7
1.3.3 Mapping the Scene 7
1.3.4 Excavation of Remains 8
1.3.5 Collecting Remains and Evidence 9
1.4 Education and Training 10
1.5 Employment in Academic and Nonacademic Settings 10
1.6 Locating a Forensic Anthropologist or Forensic
Archaeologist 12
Key Words and Questions 17
Suggested Readings 18
References 18
2 Tools and Equipment 21
2.1 Search and Site Preparation Equipment 21
2.2 Field Excavation Equipment 23
2.3 Mapping and Measuring Equipment 28
2.4 Drawing and Recording Equipment 29
2.5 Optional Equipment 29
2.6 Caring for Your Equipment 32
2.7 Basic Field Equipment Checklist 33
Key Words and Questions 34
3 Human Skeletal Terminology 35
3.1 Terms Associated with Bone Morphology 36
vii
viii Table of Contents
3.2 Terms Associated with Bone Features 38
3.3 Anatomical or Relative Position 38
3.4 Basic Adult Human Skeleton 43
3.5 Basic Juvenile Human Skeleton 51
3.6 Basic Human Dentition 53
3.6.1 Terms Associated with Dental Morphology
and Position 54
3.6.2 Dental Numbering Systems 57
Key Words and Questions 60
References 62
4 Understanding the Forensic Context 63
4.1 Defining a Forensic Context 63
4.2 Indications of a Forensic Context 64
4.2.1 Location of Remains 64
4.2.1.1 What Are Surface Deposits? 64
4.2.1.2 What Is a Burial? 64
4.2.1.3 What Are Cremains? 66
4.2.2 Position and Orientation of the Body 67
4.2.3 Preservation of the Remains 68
4.2.3.1 What Is the State of Preservation? 69
4.2.3.2 What Is Taphonomy? 70
4.2.4 Associated Artifacts and Evidence 70
4.2.4.1 Are Personal Belongings or
Cultural Materials Associated with
the Remains? 70
4.2.4.2 Are There Medical or Cultural
Modifications to the Body? 71
4.3 Common Non-Forensic Contexts 71
4.3.1 Prehistoric Finds 71
4.3.2 Historic and Modern Cemetery Settings 73
4.3.3 Ritualistic or Anatomical Use of Remains 73
Key Words and Questions 79
Suggested Readings 80
References 81
5 Search Techniques for Locating Human Remains 83
5.1 Types of Search Areas 83
5.2 Planning the Search 84
5.3 Visual Foot Searches 85
5.3.1 Strip or Line Pattern 86
5.3.2 Grid Pattern 87
Table of Contents ix
5.3.3 Spiral Pattern 87
5.3.4 Other Recommendations for Visual Searches 88
5.4 Briefing Team Members Prior to Search 88
5.5 Indications of Surface Deposit of Remains 89
5.5.1 Common Taphonomic Processes of Dispersal 89
5.5.1.1 Weathering 90
5.5.1.2 Carnivore Activity 92
5.5.1.3 Rodent Activity 94
5.5.1.4 Botanical Activity 94
5.5.2 Dispersed Remains 97
5.6 Indications of Burial of Remains 98
5.7 Cadaver Dogs 101
5.7.1 What Is a Cadaver Dog? 102
5.7.2 Limitations of Cadaver Dogs 104
5.7.3 Locating a Cadaver Dog 105
5.8 Intrusive Search Methods 106
5.8.1 Probe Searches 106
5.8.2 Shovel Testing and Shovel Shining 110
5.8.3 Heavy Equipment Searches 110
Key Words and Questions 122
Suggested Readings 123
References 124
6 Methods of Geophysical Survey 127
6.1 Ground-Penetrating Radar 128
6.2 Electromagnetic Induction Meters 136
6.3 Electrical Resistivity Meters 139
6.4 Magnetometers 141
6.5 Magnetic Locators 142
6.6 Metal Detectors 144
6.7 Side-Scan Sonar 147
6.8 Locating a Geophysical Survey Consultant 149
Key Words and Questions 153
Suggested Readings 155
References 155
7 Surveying and Mapping Methods 157
7.1 Units of Measure 157
7.2 Using Maps 158
7.3 Using the Global Positioning System 159
7.4 Using Aerial Imagery 161
7.5 Creating Sketch Maps 161