Forensic Cold Case Investigation

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the issues involved in investigating and solving cold cases in forensic anthropology. Often, forensic anthropologists are contacted by law enforcement to assist with recovery and identification of human remains that have been discovered years after a crime was committed. In addition to covering the basics of forensic anthropology (e.g. age and sex estimation from human remains, search and recovery methods, interpretation of skeletal trauma), this course will focus on topics such as ethics in investigation, addressing media bias, forensic genealogy and new techniques in solving crimes, and understanding the "missing missing." New Hampshire cases will be discussed and students will become familiar with the processes of solving cold cases in their home state. A special focus on social justice and activism work surrounding cold cases will be pursued in this course. By the end of the course, students interested in criminal justice, anthropology, and social work will have a better understanding of the issues and problems involved in resolving long-standing cold cases.