This course explores a wide range of topics pertaining to the medico-legal recovery and investigation of human remains to provide a comprehensive introduction to the fields of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. Students will receive practical and theoretical training in the identification and analysis of skeletonised human remains and the archaeological recovery of forensic evidence through core lectures, labs, and field training exercises such as the mock crime scene investigation. Guest lectures by leading forensic experts from the ANU and beyond cover real-life examples drawn from domestic and international cases to give students broad interdisciplinary insights into cutting-edge approaches to, and applications of, the forensic study of both the skeleton and the crime scene. Students will gain skills necessary, and appropriate in terms of the requirements of the Australian medico-legal professions, for the practical management and excavation of a body/crime scene.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- reconstruct a basic biological profile from a set of human skeletal remains;
- recover forensic evidence using archaeological methods as part of a mock excavation in the field;
- analyse and report forensic evidence in multiple formats;
- describe, explain, and critically evaluate methods used in Forensic Anthropology; and
- apply ethical best practices in Forensic Anthropology.
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
Students undertake a mock crime scene excavation and complete authentic assessments using the data they have collected. Provides key practical and analytical training required for a career in forensics.
Indicative Assessment
- 2 x Forensic Anthropology Reports (1 page each) (30) [LO 1,4,5]
- Mock Expert Testimony (15 minutes) (15) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- Crime Scene Management Report (1 page) (15) [LO 2,3,4,5]
- Non-Skeletal Evidence Report (1 page) (15) [LO 2,3,4,5]
- Crime Scene Investigation Report (2500 words) (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 37 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 22 hours of lectures, 11 hours of laboratories, and 4 hours of field training*; and
b) 93 hours of independent student research, reading, and writing.
*Please note that participation in the field training (mock crime scene excavation) is mandatory. The times and dates of the excavation will be confirmed at the beginning of semester, but it is likely that the excavation will be repeated each day from Monday to Friday in Week 6. Each student participates in the excavation for one half-day only (10am-2:30pm). The allocation of students to a particular excavation session is undertaken at the start of the course to account for each student's Week 6 commitments as far as possible.
Inherent Requirements
Students are expected to work in teams to complete up to 6 hours of moderate intensity outdoor physical activity (mock crime scene excavation and outdoor mapping exercises) in both warm and cold/wet weather. Participation in these activities is required to meet Learning Objective 2 of the course, and will involve tasks including but not limited to: bending, kneeling, digging, stretching, lifting moderately heavy items, walking on uneven terrain, fluctuating temperatures, working in teams with other students. Limited adjustments (e.g., seating, modified duties) are available for these activities on request. If you require adjustments/additional support for the excavation or have concerns about participation, please contact the course convenor or ANU Accessibility to discuss your needs.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must have their own copy of the following text book: White TD, and Folkens PA. 2005. The Human Bone Manual. Boston: Academic Press. This book is invaluable for helping with learning skeletal anatomy and for aiding bone identification in field and lab settings. A detailed list of course readings will be uploaded to Wattle prior to the start of semester.
Preliminary Reading
Christensen, A. M., Passalacqua, N. V. & Bartelink, E. J. (2019). Forensic Anthropology: Current Methods and Practice, Second Edition. San Diego: Academic Press.
Langley, N. R., & Tersigni-Tarrant, M. A. (2017). Forensic Anthropology : A Comprehensive Introduction, Second Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Byers, S. N., & Juarez, C. A. (2024). Forensic Anthropology Laboratory Manual, Fifth Edition. Abingdon: Routledge.
Assumed Knowledge
Prior knowledge of the human skeleton and biological profiling (e.g., age and sex estimation from the skeleton) is advantageous for this course. Students wishing to develop this knowledge are encouraged to take BIAN2015 Human Skeletal Analysis prior to enrolling.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8697 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |