Theme:
2. Archaeological Sciences, Humanities and the Digital era: Bridging the Gaps
Session format:
Regular session
Title:
Forensic Archaeology: The Important Role of Archaeology in Legal and Humanitarian Investigations
Content:
Forensic Archaeology is the application of archaeological theory, methods and techniques to assist in criminal investigations and legal matters. Forensic Archaeology is strongly interdisciplinary, with multiple fields playing a role in recording and collecting evidence to help solve crimes and seek justice. The field has developed as a robust subdiscipline of archaeology, employing approaches and methods such as remote sensing and geophysics for site identification, archaeological excavation and recording of in situ evidence and taphonomic processes. Activities also include humanitarian responses to conflict and human rights abuses, and crimes against archaeological heritage, including looting sites and trafficking artifacts by organized crime or during wars. The rapid development of Forensic Archaeology, encompassing technological advancements, such as the innovative use of digital archaeology, a growing focus on defining detailed and globally accessible protocols, as well as incorporation of criminalistic frameworks to interpret the recovered finds and features, contributes to broadening the horizons of the overarching field of archaeology. This broad scope also highlights forensic archaeologists flexibility to switch between macro and microscale analysis of forensic archaeological evidence. Forensic archaeologists are instrumental in conducting both comprehensive evaluations of crime scenes, and in narrowing the scope of research and analysis to effectively delineate the investigative evidence.
This session aims to shed light on the critical role of Forensic Archaeology in the search, recovery, and of missing persons and decomposed or decomposing human remains, particularly in European casework. It will cover the broad spectrum of approaches and methods used in Forensic Archaeology, from research to sharing knowledge and expertise required for this field. We particularly invite contributions reflecting the interdisciplinary and innovative nature of forensic archaeology as well as those related to the important role of this field in current global conflicts and humanitarian action, and its role within the wider discipline of archaeology.
Keywords:
Forensic Archaeology, Forensic Geoarchaeology, Forensic Taphonomy, Digital Archaeology, Humanitarian Forensic Action
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
Main organiser:
Hayley Mickleburgh (Netherlands) 1,2
Co-organisers:
Pier Matteo Barone (Italy) 3,4
Joanna Drath (Poland) 5
Neghanaz Moghaddam (Switzerland) 6
Affiliations:
1. University of Amsterdam
2. Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State University
3. Forensic Geoscience Italy
4. American University of Rome
5. Pomeranian Medical University
6. University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva
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