Course coordinator
Dr Jaime Swift
Course overview
- Study period
- Summer Semester, 2025 (01/12/2025 - 14/02/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
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.
WARNING: This course covers material that may upset some people. The course material will include images of deceased people, decomposition and skeletal remains.ﾠIn 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, we advise you not to enrol in this course.
For the information of students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, ancestral burial sites will be discussed in this course and some readings will discuss ancestral remains from Australia in the context of human osteological examination. No ancestral remains will be handled in this course.
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
School enquiries
Student Enquiries School of Social Science
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
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 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, stature and ancestry;
- human skeletal pathology and trauma;
- a consideration of forensic evidence, including trace evidence analysis and other crime scene contextual evidence;
- archaeological field methods with respect to the location, collection and recording of evidence;
- the criminal justice system;
- 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:
LO1.
Describe the role and history of forensic archaeology and anthropology within the forensic sciences
LO2.
Identify and describe characteristics of basic human skeletal anatomy (including naming and siding skeletal elements, developing a biological profile, and skeletal trauma)
LO3.
Describe the role and use of forensic evidence within the criminal justice system
LO4.
Explain the role of the forensic experts within the criminal justice system
LO5.
Describe and explain the natural processes occurring at and after human death, and cultural responses to death
LO6.
Describe archaeological search, recovery and recording techniques in the context of forensic investigations
LO7.
Explain the ethical issues arising from forensic archaeological investigations
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
Osteology Exam
|
30% |
5/01/2026 - 7/01/2026
In scheduled laboratory class time |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Forensic Expert Witness Report | 40% |
30/01/2026 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique, Examination |
Written Exam
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/02/2026 - 14/02/2026
Centrally scheduled exam during the Summer Semester exam period. |
Assessment details
Osteology Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
5/01/2026 - 7/01/2026
In scheduled laboratory class time
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
Task description
Short-answer and multiple choice, in-class practical assessment covering all aspects of human osteology from the lectures and practicals in Weeks 1-3. This assessment will be run during the normally scheduled workshop class times. Please attend the workshop class for which you registered.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Use of AI: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Exam paper to be submitted to the Course Coordinator or Tutor in scheduled laboratory class.
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. Your application must include supporting evidence. The request will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply.
An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a 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.
For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Forensic Expert Witness Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
30/01/2026 2:00 pm
Task description
This assignment consists of a written Forensic Expert Witness Report covering the recovery and analysis of skeletal remains and associated materials from the simulated crime scene. The report will conform to legal guidelines, and will include mapping and excavation details, chain of custody information, details of analyses conducted, and an expert assessment of the victim profile and events surrounding the death and burial. This is a stand-alone document, however your conclusions should be supported by references from the published literature where necessary.
At all times you should use plain, easily understood and unambiguous language. Keep the document as succinct as possible, while still covering the essential points in sufficient detail that your report is credible as a basis for the police to provide to the Coroner. The report should be no more than 2500 words (excluding appendices; i.e., illustrations, tables, logs and references). No penalty will be applied for responses within the 2500 word limit, but a 2 mark penalty will be deducted for every 250 word block over 2500 words.
In-text referencing and the final reference list should be in APA Referencing Style.
Students will work in groups during the mapping, recovery and recording of the simulated crime scene and analysis of human remains and associated evidence and will share information in their group, but will submit one report per individual.
Guidelines and marking criteria and/or marking rubrics for this assessment are provided in the Assessment Folder in Blackboard.
Use of AI: 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 artificial intelligence 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 complete an AI usage declaration and submit it with their assignment. Additional resources are available through UQ AI Student Hub.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
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, 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 a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. 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. 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 who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
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.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one 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.
Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Written Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/02/2026 - 14/02/2026
Centrally scheduled exam during the Summer Semester exam period.
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
Task description
Task Description: For this assessment, you are required to prepare a 200 word response to each of the three (3) questions chosen from a list questions provided. Each of the questions provided will relate to content and concepts discussed in the lectures and readings in weeks 1-8 of the course.
It is your choice which three questions you select from the list, but it is not permitted for you to create your own question. Within one document, provide a 200 word response to each of the three questions you have chosen. Responses which demonstrate independent research and cite supporting references from the published literature will receive higher marks.
This assessment will be paper-based.
Word Count: Concise writing is an important skill and the response to each question should be no more than 200 words. No penalty will be applied for responses within the 200 word limit, but a 2 mark penalty will be deducted per 20 word block more than 200 words. In-text references and the final reference list are not included in the 200 word limit.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Paper-based exam during centrally scheduled UQ Exam Period.
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. Your application must include supporting evidence. The request will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply.
An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a 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.
For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. 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: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
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 students 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 to the student 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
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.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Textbook: White, T.D. and Folkens, P.A. (2005). The Human Bone Manual. Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic | Available electronically via the UQ Library | |
| Human Osteology Workbooks | Learning materials available on Blackboard to assist in the osteology laboratory practical classes |
Additional learning resources information
Selected course readings and lecture notes will be made available from the ARCS2003 Blackboard webpage. Additional information can be found in the following sources. These are optional further resources for developing a further interest in forensic anthropology and related fields:
Books:
Bass, W.M. (1995). Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual. Columbia: Missouri Archaeological Society.
Blau, S. & Ubelaker, D.H. (Eds.). (2016). Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. Taylor and Francis Group.
Burke, H., Morrison, M., & Smith, C. (2020). The Archaeologist's Field Handbook. London: Routledge.
Dupras, T.L., Schultz, J.J., Wheeler, S.M., & Williams, L.J. (2006). Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological approaches. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Oxenham, M. (Ed.). (2008). Forensic Approaches to Death, Disaster and Abuse. Bowen Hills, Queensland: Australian Academic Press.
Schotsmans, E.M.J., Marquez-Grant, N., & Forbes, S.L. (2017). Taphonomy of human remains: Forensic analysis of the dead and the depositional environment. ﾠJohn Wiley & Sons.
Wolstenholme, R., Jickells, S., & Forbes, S. (2021). Analytical techniques in forensic science. John Wiley & Sons.
Journals:
Available electronically via the UQ Library:
American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology (from 1996 onwards)
American Journal of Physical Anthropology (from 1997 onwards)
Australian Archaeology
Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Forensic Science International (from 1978 onwards)
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (from 1997 onwards)
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory (from 1994-1996; 1999 onwards)
Journal of Archaeological Science (from 1974 onwards)
Journal of Forensic Sciences (from 2006 onwards)
University of Queensland Law Journal
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (01 Dec - 07 Dec) |
Lecture |
Course Overview and Introduction to Forensic Archaeology (In-person) Course introduction, learning objectives, assessment, and required/recommended readings. (In-person) Introduction to forensic science and archaeological practice, ethics and human remains. |
Lecture |
Estimating Sex from the Human Skeleton (In-person) Introduction to techniques for determining demographic data from the skeleton including estimating biological sex. |
|
Workshop |
Osteology 1 Lab Safety: All students must complete the Laboratory Safety Induction before the workshop classes in the Archaeology Teaching Laboratory [Room 325, Michie Building (09)]. Identifying, naming, and siding the human skeleton. |
|
Week 2 (08 Dec - 14 Dec) |
Lecture |
Estimating Age at Death, Ancestry and Population Affinity (In-person) Introduction to techniques for determining demographic data from the skeleton including estimating age-at-death, ancestry and population affinity. |
Workshop |
Osteology 2 Human skeletal analysis: Developing a biological profile. Estimating biological sex, age-at-death and population affinity. |
|
Week 3 (15 Dec - 21 Dec) |
Lecture |
Trauma and Pathology (In-person) Identifying and understanding the effects of trauma and disease on the human skeleton. |
Workshop |
Osteology 3 The human skeleton: stature in life estimation Human vs. animal skeletal anatomy |
|
Week 4 (22 Dec - 28 Dec) |
Lecture |
Time Since Death and Taphonomy (In-person) Natural and cultural processes surrounding human death including decomposition, burial, and treatment of the dead. Estimations of time since death, including the use of forensic entomology. |
Not Timetabled |
Optional Revision Prac Session before holiday stand down If enough interest is registered, the lab space and teaching materials can be made available for students wishing to take advantage of an additional, optional revision session. This lab session would be for self-guided revision. However, the session would be supervised and with the opportunity to ask questions or for assistance from the Course Coordinator or Tutor. |
|
Mid Sem break (29 Dec - 04 Jan) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-semester break No classes this week. |
Week 5 (05 Jan - 11 Jan) |
Lecture |
Forensic Search Methods and Archaeological Concepts (In-person) Forensic Search Methods and Archaeological Concepts: Overview of search techniques, archaeological excavation and recovery of human remains, collecting evidence and maintaining a chain of custody. |
Workshop |
In-class Osteology Quiz Short-answer and multiple choice, in-class practical assessment covering all aspects of human osteology from the lectures and practicals in Weeks 1-3. This assessment will be run during the normally scheduled practical class times. Please attend the practical class for which you registered. |
|
Week 6 (12 Jan - 18 Jan) |
Lecture |
Trace Evidence and Expert Evidence (In-person) Includes overviews of both human and non-human trace evidence. This includes DNA evidence, blood, fluids, and fingerprints, as well as evidence from soil, water, air, plants, animals, and objects. |
Workshop |
Crime Scene Excavation (ATARC) Mapping, excavation and recording of simulated human remains and crime scene evidence. All day (9am-4pm) practical class at the ATARC on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 January 2026. Students will be allocated to one day or the other, not both. |
|
Week 7 (19 Jan - 25 Jan) |
Workshop |
Laboratory analysis 1 Analysis of recovered human remains and other excavated evidence. |
Week 8 (26 Jan - 01 Feb) |
Workshop |
Laboratory Analysis 2 Analysis of recovered human remains and other excavated evidence. |
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
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.