Forensic Anthropology Field School. 4 credits. (Same as CRJ 350)

Catalog description

The Forensic Anthropology Field School is an intensive four-week course focused on exposing students to the application of forensic anthropology in the medico-legal system. Students participate in the process of a mock medico-legal death investigation beginning with crime scene recovery and ending with expert witness testimony. Prior to excavation, students will learn the theory and methods of osteology and archaeology. Once at the "crime scene" students will actively participate in mapping, recording, and excavation. After materials are recovered, students conduct a full analysis and construct a case report to be compared to missing persons reports. The Field School concludes with students testifying as a scientific expert witness in a courtroom. The process will include training and input from law enforcement, legal professionals, forensic scientists, and medical professionals. Ultimately, students will gain a hands-on experience of how death investigations work, and be exposed to the perspectives of many different disciplines. Prereq: Understanding Natural Science; Ethics; Oral Communication.