Forensic Archaeology

Forensic archaeology involves the utilization and adaptation of traditional archaeological methods for locating, documenting, and recovering human remains and associated evidence from a full range of medicolegal scene contexts. While forensic archaeology developed within the field of forensic anthropology, the application of field methods lagged behind the development of forensic anthropology laboratory methods for skeletal identification. However, proper field methods are now routinely used for various contexts involving recoveries of human remains. At the same time, forensic archaeologists routinely improve field methods through research and provide training to law enforcement personnel and various death investigators.