Forensics: The Archaeology of Death & Crime Scenes (ARCS2003)

Course overview

This course explores the place of archaeological techniques of search, recovery and analysis within a forensic (pertaining to the law) context. An introduction to human skeletal analysis, searching, trace evidence, DNA and forensic testing, the criminal justice system, and the archaeology of human death are provided. For ethical reasons this course is taught using high quality model human bones, rather than real human remains.

In the first part of the course, we spend several weeks on an introduction to human skeletal analysis using high quality plastic casts. This involves learning the fundamentals of skeletal anatomy (naming bones, their anatomical parts and key landmarks, standard anatomical/osteological terminology), siding of bones, and osteological techniques of age-at-death, biological sex, stature, elements of ancestry estimation, and skeletal trauma examination, recording, and interpretation. The second part of the course focuses on the application of this knowledge and methods within forensic contexts. We look at forensic search methods, various types of forensic evidence, the role of the expert witness within the criminal justice system, the different stages of human body decomposition, mass burials and disasters, as well as specialised analytical techniques such as bone and tooth histology. The course culminates with students applying archaeological and anthropological techniques to a stimulated crime scene with a clandestine grave, and writing a mock expert forensic report.

***WARNING*** This course contains material that may upset some people. For example, we will view images of deceased people, human decomposition, skeletal remains, mummified remains, and traumatic injury to soft tissue and bone. In addition, the course covers potentially confronting subject matter such as the recovery of human remains after disasters, and the excavation and recording of mass graves. If this material is likely to upset you, consider not enrolling in this course.

For the information of students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, this course teaches elements of ancestry estimation from the human skull, meaning that plastic casts based on human remains recovered from ancestral Indigenous burial sites might be viewed. However, no real ancestral remains will be handled in this course. We will also view images of deceased individuals on a regular basis, but those will not be of Indigenous contexts and/or individuals.

Course requirements

Assumed background

The course makes no assumptions regarding previous knowledge or study.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

4 units of courses

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

CRIM2060 and BIOM2003

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

This course comprises in-person lectures and in-person practical/workshop classes that provide hands-on experience in human osteology and forensic archaeological methods. Practical classes are held in the Archaeology Teaching Laboratory Room 325, Michie Building (9), except for the simulated crime scene excavation which is held at the Archaeology Teaching and Research Centre (ATARC). The ATARC is facility number 56J and is situated between the Alumni Teaching Garden and Sir William Macgregor Drive, near the UQ Lakes Bus Stop and opposite the CityCat Ferry Terminal.

Aims and outcomes

Forensic investigation is a relatively recent addition to the usual aims of archaeology. The aims and techniques of crime scene investigation have much in common with methods developed by archaeologists over the past century, and this overlap is increasingly being recognised by crime investigators.

The course explores a variety of forensic contexts and techniques at an introductory level, including:

• human skeletal anatomy and basic identification of biological sex, age-at-death, stature and ancestry;
• human skeletal pathology and trauma;
• a consideration of forensic evidence, including DNA and trace evidence analysis;
• forensic entomology and other crime scene contextual evidence;
• archaeological field methods with respect to the location, collection and recording of evidence;
• the nature of evidence and its role in criminal justice; and,
• preparation of an expert forensic report.

Students will develop skills in critical thinking, and the application of archaeological and other scientific techniques to legal investigations.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

In-class osteology exam

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

45%

Due date

30/03/2026 - 31/03/2026

In scheduled practical class

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

The exam will be held in class time.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

You can request a deferred exam if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original exam at its scheduled date and time. All deferred exam requests must be accompanied by documentation that supports the reason for the request. The request will be assessed based solely on the evidence you provide when you apply. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.

An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a registered medical practitioner must assess your condition and provide a signed medical certificate that covers the day of the examination. You must obtain a medical certificate no later than two business days after the date of the original examination. Further details of acceptable evidence for deferred examination can be found here.

Additional information on eligibility and application instructions, can be found on my.UQ’s Deferred Exam Information page.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Online lecture quiz

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

15%

Due date

5/05/2026 - 8/05/2026

Students can complete the quiz via Inspera at any point during Week 10. The quiz will last 30 minutes and must be completed in one sitting. The completion and submission can be done at any point in Week 10 as long as it occurs between 9AM Tuesday 5 May 2026 and 5PM Friday 8 May 2026.

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission via Inspera.

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students must identify AI usage in Inspera before submitting their quiz answers. Additional resources are available through UQ AI Student Hub.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

If you are requesting an extension for this assessment item, you must provide supporting documentation that covers at least the final date of this assessment submission period (Friday 8 May 2026).

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit your application on or before the assessment due date and time.

Grounds of an Extension

A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. All extension requests must be accompanied by documentation that supports the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. You must provide documentation that covers the entire period of the quiz availability (Week 10). 

Students registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services / SAP

In the School of Social Science, extensions granted on the basis of registration with Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) or a Student Access Plan (SAP) will be the lesser of 7 calendar days or the maximum extension allowable for the assessment task.

More information is provided in Part D of the Assessment Procedure.

Discretionary Extensions

You are eligible for a discretionary extension for a single assessment task per semester of study for a duration of 48 hours, with no documentation required. You can apply if the assessment task allows (see the course profile for details) and if it is your first extension request for that assessment.

You cannot receive an extension using both discretionary grounds and SAP grounds for the same assessment and must select one basis when making their initial request.

Maximum Extension Requests

You can request a maximum of 3 extensions for the same assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. If after the third approved extension you submit the assessment late, late penalties will apply.

Late Extension Applications

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.

Additional information

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. Course Coordinators are unable to grant extensions directly.

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation to the next graduation period.

The maximum extension length is 7 days.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Late submissions via Inspera will not be possible.

Forensic report based on assemblage analysis

• Team or group-based

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

40%

Due date

29/05/2026 5:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Students will work in groups during the mapping and recording of the simulated crime scene and analysis of human remains and associated evidence, but will submit one individualised report per student.

You must submit your assessment electronically by the due time, on the due date.

Your assessment must be submitted via Turnitin on Blackboard Ultra. To submit your assessment electronically log in to Blackboard Ultra with your UQ username and password and navigate to the relevant submission link for that assessment item on Blackboard Ultra. No emailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.

By submitting your assessment through Turnitin, you confirm that all work is your own, except where properly referenced. Only submit assessments that contain your original work.

You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt within a few hours, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit your application on or before the assessment due date and time.

Grounds of an Extension

A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. All extension requests must be accompanied by documentation that supports the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.

Students registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services / SAP

In the School of Social Science, extensions granted on the basis of registration with Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) or a Student Access Plan (SAP) will be the lesser of 7 calendar days or the maximum extension allowable for the assessment task.

More information is provided in Part D of the Assessment Procedure.

Discretionary Extensions

You are eligible for a discretionary extension for a single assessment task per semester of study for a duration of 48 hours, with no documentation required. You can apply if the assessment task allows (see the course profile for details) and if it is your first extension request for that assessment.

You cannot receive an extension using both discretionary grounds and SAP grounds for the same assessment and must select one basis when making their initial request.

Maximum Extension Requests

You can request a maximum of 3 extensions for the same assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. If after the third approved extension you submit the assessment late, late penalties will apply.

Late Extension Applications

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.

Additional information

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. Course Coordinators are unable to grant extensions directly.

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation to the next graduation period.

Group Work

Dysfunctional group dynamics, poor performance by individual group members, illness or other issues of a group member are generally not considered sufficient grounds for an extension on submission of a group assessment item. These issues should be actively managed by the group and the Course Coordinator as appropriate, during semester.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Assessments will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements and graduate attributes for an eligible course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow, and only for students who receive a final grade of 3 or N. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.

Additional assessment information

Academic Integrity: You must complete the Academic Integrity Modules by the due date.

School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments

Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to you in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.

Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result

Student Grievance Resolution and Appeals: If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you may appeal through the Formal Administrative Grievances/Appeals process as per the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure. Before submitting an appeal, it is recommended that you review the Student Grievance Resolution Guideline. If you require help with drafting an appeal, Student Advocacy and Support can provide assistance. Time limits apply to submit an appeal; please refer to Student Grievance Resolution Procedure for the relevant timeframes. 

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Analysis of recovered bones and objects for the assemblage analysis assessment

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide
• Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.