Physical and Forensic Anthropology

Course manual 2022/2023

Course content

This course aims to provide students with a broad introduction to the use of scientific techniques within forensic anthropology and their value in reconstructing a the biological profile based on the analysis of human skeletal remains, description and interpretation of ante- and perimortem trauma and estimation of the postmortem interval. Using a range of targeted case studies and specialist literature, each topic will provide a clear overview of the development and current state of research including the limitations of each discipline, especially concerning the reliability of the evidence in forensic criminal cases. Students will have the opportunity to assess the various research methods by way of lectures, practical sessions, presentations and review essays.

The examination of human remains is focused around several main themes. These are:

• Human anatomy and biological anthropology;
• Identification;
• Taphonomy;
• Trauma analyses;
• Specialized techniques.

Study materials

Literature

• Scientific papers and other reading/study material communicated on Canvas.

• Book: WHITE, T. D., & FOLKENS, P. A. (2005). The Human Bone Manual. Burlington, Elsevier.

• Maat, G.J.R., van der Merwe, A.E and Hoff, Th.. Manual for the Physical Anthropological Report. 6 th edition. Leiden, Barge’s Anthropologica 6: 1-50, 2012. ISBN: 978-90-78943-00-6. (Will be given to you during the first practical)

Practical training material

• Descriptions and instruction associated with the practical sessions on Canvas of this course. You will receive a printed copy during the practical sessions.

Other

• Lectures

• Self-study assignments on Canvas

Objectives

• 1. Critically evaluate scientific literature and reports in the field of forensic anthropology.
• 2. Present scientific findings in oral presentation, debate, and writing.
• 3. Apply practical techniques related to core forensic anthropological topics to unknown skeletal remains.
• 4. Draw inferences on the biological profile (estimated age, sex, stature and ancestry) of unknown human remains through the identification of morphological and biological features related to the human skeletal system and its associated tissues as it applies to forensic anthropology.
• 5. Evaluate possibilities and limitations of practical techniques related to core forensic anthropological topics regarding the reliability of the evidential value these techniques provide.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study

Lectures, self study assignments and practicals

Prior to each lecture, students are required to have read the necessary reading material and/or completed the self study assignment (available on Canvas) associated with the lectures. The aim of the lectures in this course is to introduce concepts/methods to the student and discuss the shortcomings, advantages or implications associated with the various topics during active discussion.

Self study assignments are presented on Canvas to assist the student in studying topics which will be discussed during the lectures, assist in the preparation for practical sessions or aid the student in getting a more in depth knowledge on a specific topic.  It is the students own responsibility to complete the assignments and discuss questions which may arise with the lecturer during the practical sessions or lectures.  Students are not required to hand in the self study assignments.

Practical sessions are organised on various topics: f.i. human osteology, biological profiling (age and sex estimation) and cremated human remains. During these sessions students will get the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the human skeleton and practice various forensic anthropological techniques.

Learning activities

Attendance

This programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER part B).

Additional requirements for this course:

Given the persisting uncertain situation surrounding Covid-19, attendance of lectures and practical sessions is not compulsory. However, in order to ensure succesful completion of this course attendance of lectures and practicals are strongly adviced. Missing a class will severely hinder participation in the associated practical session. Lectures and practical sessions will not be recorded. In case of absence it is the students resposibility to make sure that he/she stays up to date and has sufficient knowledge with regards to the missed content. 

Assessment

All components will be graded on a scale from 1 to 10, with a maximum of one decimal after the point. These grades are used to calculate the final grade. In order to pass the course, all components and the final grade have to be sufficient, i.e. at least a five and a half. When a student has not fulfilled this requirement, the examiner will register the mark ‘did not fulfil all requirements’ (NAV) whether or not the averaged grade is sufficient.

The components will be weighted as follows:

The final grade will be announced at the latest 15 working days after the final course activity (January 13th). Between this date and 35 working days after the final course activity (February 16th), a post-exam discussion or inspection moment will be planned. This will be announced on Canvas and/or via e-mail.

Table of specification: the relation between the Learning Outcomes (LO) of the course, the assessment components of the course and the Exit Qualifications (EQ) of the Master’s Forensic Science (described in the Introduction in the Course Catalogue)

Assignments

Component 1 and 2: Skeletal Analysis- Written Report and Presentation

In groups of 2, students will be assigned a skeleton. For each skeleton, the students need to complete a full biological (age, sex, stature) profile estimation, trauma analysis and personal identification evaluation. Hereafter, the students need to write a report (example report will be provided) comprised of all the findings and the methods used. The report will be reviewed by two student colleagues and presented/defended in a group session (max 10 min per presentation and 5 min for questions).

Grading of the report as well as the presentation will be conducted by two lecturers.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Additional information

Coming to the AMC for practical sessions

When coming to the AMC for the practical sessions in this course, please adhere to the following rules:

• Enter te building via the faculty entrance.
• Please see the website of the UvA describing the general information and Covid-related rules in the university buildings.
• All practicals are given on L2 –N in one of the dissection halls (exact dissection hall number to be announced):
  • Take the stairs to the second story between building K and L
  • Turn left on L2
  • Enter the first corridor on your left
  • Disinfect your hands at the swing doors
  • Enter the assigned dissection hall (blue doors to your left)
• All lectures will be given in the AMC.  See the program on Canvas for the room numbers.

What to do in case of a possible Covid infection

Should you develop possible Covid-19 related symptoms please follow the guidelines described by the UvA. Free corona-self tests are available for students in the AMC and will be provided by the coordinator of the course.

Last year's student feedback

In order to provide students some insight how we use the feedback of student evaluations to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. A.E. van der Merwe

Staff

• Yorike Hartman
• dr. L.M. Kootker
• dr. T. Krap
• prof. dr. R.J. Oostra
• Prof. dr. R.R. van Rijn

Guestlecturers

• dr. D. Rijke (NFI)
• drs. M. Groen (NFI)
• dr. B. Oude Grotebevelsborg (NFI)
• prof. dr. E.N.L'Abbé (University of Pretoria, South Africa)