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, search techniques, excavation, DNA and forensic testing, the criminal justice system, and the archaeology of human death are provided. Training in archaeological techniques, and an introduction to forensic analytical techniques are provided. Students will gain hands-on experience in the excavation, recovery and analysis of human skeletal material and associated evidence at a simulated crime scene on the UQ St Lucia campus. This experience simulates real-world professional tasks in the field of forensic archaeology. Please note this course is taught using high quality models of human bones, not 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 undergrad 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 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 DNA and trace evidence analysis;
• 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:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Osteology Exam

• In-person

Mode

Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Examination

Weight

30%

Due date

16/12/2024 - 20/12/2024

In scheduled laboratory class

Task description

Exam details

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) or Extension Verification Letter (EVL) 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.

Short Paper - Expert Witnesses and Expert Evidence

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

30%

Due date

3/01/2025 2:00 pm

Task description

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.

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.

In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).

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.

Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. 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.

Forensic Expert Witness Report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

40%

Due date

4/02/2025 2:00 pm

Task description

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.

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.

In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).

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.

Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. 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.

Course grading

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

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/

UQ Assignment Writing Guide: Steps for writing assignments - my.UQ - University of Queensland

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

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.

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 - Students Policy and Procedure

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