Archaeology and forensic death investigations

Abstract

Historically, the role of the archaeology in forensic death investigation has focused on excavation techniques and documentation of context. Additional skills of the archaeologist relate to familiarity with stratigraphy and soils, collection and conservation of artifacts, and special areas of interest, such as taphonomy. The following discussion surveys the processes by which the methods and personnel of archaeology have been incorporated into forensic recovery of skeletal and buried remains. The current status of the archaeologist’s involvement in forensic investigations is explored. As well, distinctions between the work of medical legal death investigators and crime scene investigators are contrasted to archaeologists working conventional archaeological sites. Finally, the utility of archaeological methods and archaeologists is illustrated using examples ranging from a serial murder investigation in the U.S. to international investigations involving human rights abuses in Honduras and war crimes in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. The contributions of the archaeologist’s skills range from methodologies of excavation and documentation of context to expertise in areas involving soil features, conservation of grave goods, and the uses of taphonomic knowledge to resolve post-mortem issues.