ARCH43030: Research Skills in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology

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• To enable students to acquire an advanced understanding of key concepts, research methods, study and presentation skills in forensic archaeology and anthropology. This is a module has some overlapping taught sessions with an existing core module Research and Study Skills in Archaeological Science (ARCH 40130), with respect to computing and statistics, poster presentation skills, grant writing, radiography and introduction to biomolecular methods. Other lectures are bespoke to the forensic context, including lectures and seminars on the ethics and legislative requirements of forensic archaeology, frameworks of standardisation of practice, specialist report writing and formulating forensic strategies.

• Ethical and legislative requirements within the forensic context
• Mock court exercise
• Standardisation of practice within the forensic context
• Writing skills both academic and specialist report writing
• Producing research designs and research applications
• Poster presentation skills, including Powerpoint presentations
• Computing and statistics.
• Forensic strategies and range of specialisms involved in human remains recovery.
• Radiographic analysis and introduction to biomolecular methods.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the parameters involved when formulating a forensic strategy in the field and laboratory and an understanding of the requirements involved in ensuring the continuity of evidence within investigations involving body recovery.
• Knowledge, and critical understanding of, a range of key terms, concepts, approaches, techniques and debates in the method, theory and practice of forensic archaeology and anthropology
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation, standards, ethics and codes of practice underpinning investigative requirements for forensic practitioners within an international context.
• An understanding of the range of scientific techniques that can be applied to organic remains and their current and future potential to investigate forensic contexts
• An understanding of contemporary professional principles and good practice pertaining to forensic archaeology and anthropology

Subject-specific Skills:

• Ability to apply appropriate scholarly, theoretical and scientific principles and concepts to archaeological and anthropological problems within a forensic context.
• Ability to evaluate and critique forensic strategies
• Understanding of the potentials and limitations of advanced analytical techniques that may be applied to the skeleton to gather further information pertinent to identification in the forensic context.
• Experience of the practical scientific analysis of organic remains
• Ability to apply statistics to scientific data relevant to forensic archaeology and anthropology and to present results in a clear and comprehensive way.

Key Skills:

• Use of computer and information technology, (including internet, word processing, spreadsheets, computer-based mapping, graphing, image processing and searching relevant proprietary and open databases to support interpretation).
• Ability to undertake independent study, research and problem-solving.
• Sampling, collection, recording, quantitative analysis, critical analysis and interpretation of complex primary and secondary data.
• Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, results, interpretations and arguments in oral, written and visual form.
• Design a programme of primary research.
• An ability to produce work to prescribed guidelines and deadlines.

• The module will be delivered using a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical sessions. It aims to help students gain skills necessary for the world of work and/or research within the context of forensic archaeology and anthropology. The delivery methods and assessment are therefore focused on attaining those skills e.g. oral and written communication, computing and statistical analysis, and methods of analysis in forensic science.

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