Forensic archaeology in the United States

Forensic Archaeology and Forensic Taphonomy: Basic Considerations on how to Properly Process and Interpret the Outdoor Forensic Scene

“…Indoor scene processing protocols do not cover all natural taphonomic agents and are generally ineffective and incomplete for dealing with the outdoor scene. Thus, we must turn to other disciplines, and in fact one is ready-made: forensic archaeology, by which standard archaeological principles, practices and methods (with some minor modifications, see below), is employed to systematically and comprehensively locate, document and interpret evidence at the outdoor forensic scene (8).…”

“…Common questions asked of the indoor scene could thus not be addressed at the outdoor scene, as the evidence for the construction of the scientific hypotheses had not been collected. The most effective tool for evidence collection of the outdoor scene was clearly archaeology (1, 4, 7–9). This was evident simply by comparing the coincidental primary goals of both disciplines: reconstruction of the past based on evidence found in highly altered contexts.…”

“…Since that time, common archaeological methods and practices began to be employed on other forensic scenes, including searches, burials, surface scatters, and eventually, fatal fire and mass disaster scenes. These methods and practices, modified to meet forensic standards, were incorporated into a new discipline appropriately named forensic archaeology (8).…”

“…To be both efficient and effective, search protocols require: 1) a visual assessment of 100% of the surface within the target search area and 2) a detailed notation of the specific area that has been covered at each step by exacting search methods (preferably on maps or aerial photographs). Drawing from both forensic research and what has been learned in regular archaeology, the most effective search methodology is based on straight-line pedestrian searches, with searchers lining up shoulder-to-shoulder and scanning the surface thoroughly and rapidly (8). Properly trained cadaver dogs are often useful in the early stages of the search for relatively fresh (i.e., actively decomposing) remains and can expedite the finding of the body (21).…”

“…The best way to properly collect all these data is through forensic archaeological principles, methods, and protocols, which share the same basic goals as indoor forensic protocols but with an added component largely derived from classic archaeology. However, due to a few major differences in perspective, requirements, and in general, the types of information and evidence targeted at outdoor scenes, forensic archaeological protocols incorporate new, additional techniques, data types, and objectives not considered at either indoor scenes or archaeological sites (1, 8,9).…”