How do Forensic Anthropologists construct a biological profile? By gaining an advanced practical skill set that builds upon the modules 'Advanced Human Osteology and Anatomy', and ‘Growth, Disease and Taphonomy’, you will learn how to detemine age-at-death, biological sex, and stature from hard tissue. You will extend your knowledge of skeletal disease into non-specific and specific infections. You will learn protocols for disaster victim identification and be introduced to the most up-to-date soft-tissue biometric identification methods. You will become proficient in presenting biological profiles to an audience, which is essential for a practicing forensic anthropologist. Upon completion you will have gained a skill-set that transitions directly into the professional world.
Practicals 16 hours, Lectures 16 hours, Seminars 8 hours
Practical Competency: 1 hour Advanced Skeletal Disease worth 25%
Written Report: 3000 words Biological Profile worth 50%
Practical Competency: 1 hour Biological Practical worth 25%
Reassessment: 100% Written Assessment (2,000 words)
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Critically assess complex methods used to identify human remains in both hard and soft tissue.
2. Build a complete biological profile for an unknown individual using a variety of complex methodologies.
3. Critically apply state-of-the-art research methods in hard and soft tissue human identification, disease and taphonomy.
4. Critically interpret differences between pathology, taphonomy and trauma.
5. Create critical and reflective reports based on their own personal actions for a range of different audiences in line with expectations of a practicing forensic anthropologist.
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