ANT205H5 Lecture Notes - Pelvis, Body Snatching, Anointing
Document Summary
Measuring tape through middle of scene (compass direction) Record distance of object from each point: compass sighting and measurement from fixed point. Videotape entire process: search for and flag exhibits, photograph and map, bag and label evidence, remove evidence. After the evidence is removed: trowel 20-30 cm below body level, save soil for screening and flotation, search site with a metal detector, soil samples for chemical analysis, collect and document everything that you do. Information obtained from graves: location, size and depth of hole, time of year severed roots, disrupted vegetation, evidence of digging tools metallic fragments, rust stains, imprint. Information obtained from graves: grave floor foot, knee or handprints, mixed soil dug by two or more people, may contain fibres from suspect. Crime scenes are unique: every case offers unique challenges, no fixed protocol, forensic anthropologists use experience and judgement, systematic, context. Forensic significance: role to play in medico-legal investigation, skeletal remains. Human vs animal remains: doug ubelaker (smithsonian)
