Short Courses

Death-Scene Archaeology: Field Methods in the Location, Recovery, & Interpretation of Human Remains from Outdoor Contexts

This five day short course will introduce participants to the principles and methodologies of Forensic Archaeology. Lectures and mock outdoor crime scenes will be used to describe state-of-the-art methods available to investigators during the documentation and recovery of physical evidence- including human remains- from a variety outdoor, fire, and mass fatality contexts.

• Date: June 3, 2013 to June 7, 2013
• Location: Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
• Price: $795 (10% discount available for multiple courses)

Laboratory Methods in the Identification of Human Skeletal Remains

The goal of this five day short course is to familiarize students and professionals with current analytical methods in the interpretation of human skeletal remains in the laboratory. Focus will be on the determination of personal identification through assessment of chronological age, sex, ancestry, stature, and pathology. Further, antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem (taphonomic) trauma effects on the human skeleton will be discussed. Extensive hands-on opportunities with demonstrations, cast, and case-study specimens will supplement the detailed lectures and presentations.

• Date: June 10, 2013 to June 14, 2013
• Location: Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
• Price: $795 (10% discount available for multiple courses)

Analysis of Bone Trauma and Pseudo-Trauma in Suspected Violent Deaths.

The goal of this five day short course is to familiarize students and professionals with current analytical methods in the interpretation of bone trauma. Focus will be on the differentiation of ante-, peri-, and postmortem trauma to bone, beginning with recognition and preliminary interpretation at autopsy through biomechanical interpretations in the laboratory. Students will be provided with extensive hands-on opportunities with demonstration, cast, and case-study specimens which will supplements the detailed lectures and presentations.

• Date: June 17, 2013 to June 21, 2013
• Location: Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
• Price: $795 (10% discount available for multiple courses)

Recovery and Interpretation of the Fatal Fire Scene

Fatal fire scenes represent the most difficult of forensic scenes to process effectively because of the destructive nature of fire and heat on both the scene and the victim. In this course, we will first discuss the role that forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology play in the proper location, recovery, and interpretation of the fatal fire victim. A large-scale mock fire scene (house structure or car fire) will then be
processed using newly developed protocols. In addition, significant hands-on opportunities analyzing heat altered human remains in the laboratory will be provided.

• Date: June 24, 2013 to June 28, 2013
• Location: Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
• Price: $795 (10% discount available for multiple courses)