Archaeological forensic anthropology is a specialized field that combines principles of forensic anthropology with archaeological methods to analyze human remains in historical or ancient contexts. It focuses on recovering, identifying, and interpreting skeletal remains from archaeological sites to understand past populations, their lives, and their deaths, often with a focus on legal or historical significance.

 

Meet Mark and Karen. Native to Willcox and Pearce, they now live in Tucson and provide services all across the USA as well as internationally. They have canvassed the Dragoon station area from multiple different angles, at different times, under different atmospheric conditions, using different applications of the same scientific principles of archaeological forensic anthropology. They have clearly established where human remains are located and where they are not at the Butterfield Dragoon station. This is not some folks with a dog that thinks it can find a bone. This is the science of VOC's (volatile organic compounds) sourced from human remains as they change and evolve in the soil and localized environment, over thousands of years. YES, THOUSANDS! 

 

The science is solid. So solid in fact that it is admissible in court! 

 

And they now use the Dragoon Station as a training ground for their extreme front line technicians, Polly & Breicne, their Border Collies, to sharpen their archaeological forensic anthropology skills. 

 

Need to contact them directly? kpaquette1@comcast.net mpaquette1@comcast.net 

Want more on their organization for which they work? https://www.firstdetectionk9.org/ 

 

Archaeological forensic anthropology definition and scope:

• Forensic Anthropology: The application of anthropological and skeletal analysis to identify unknown individuals, determine cause of death, or estimate biological profiles (age, sex, stature, ancestry) in a medico-legal context.
• Archaeological Context: When applied to archaeology, forensic anthropology adapts these techniques to analyze remains from historical or ancient sites, often where no legal case exists but where understanding past events (e.g., mass burials, battles, or rituals) is crucial.
• The field bridges modern forensic science with archaeological recovery techniques to study human remains that may be centuries or millennia old.

Key Objectives

1. Recovery of Remains: Using archaeological excavation techniques to carefully locate, document, and retrieve skeletal remains while preserving context (e.g., burial position, associated artifacts).
2. Identification: Estimating biological characteristics such as age, sex, stature, and ancestry through skeletal analysis.
3. Trauma Analysis: Examining bones for evidence of injury, violence, or cause of death (e.g., weapon marks, fractures).
4. Pathology and Health: Identifying diseases, malnutrition, or other health conditions from skeletal evidence to infer lifestyle or societal conditions.
5. Cultural and Historical Interpretation: Reconstructing burial practices, social structures, or historical events (e.g., mass graves from wars or epidemics).
6. Legal Applications: In some cases, analyzing remains from recent historical contexts (e.g., war crimes, genocides) to provide evidence for legal proceedings.

Methods and Techniques

• Excavation: Precise archaeological methods ensure remains and associated artifacts are recovered without damage. This includes mapping, stratigraphic analysis, and documentation.
• Skeletal Analysis: Techniques like osteometry (measuring bones), dental analysis, and morphological assessment to estimate biological profiles.
• Taphonomy: Studying post-mortem changes to bones (e.g., weathering, animal scavenging) to understand the time since death and environmental impacts.
• Advanced Technologies:
  • Radiography/CT scans: To detect internal bone structure or trauma.
  • Isotope Analysis: To infer diet, migration, or geographic origin.
  • DNA Analysis: To identify genetic relationships or ancestry (if preservation allows).
• Comparative Analysis: Comparing findings with historical records, artifacts, or other archaeological data to contextualize remains.

Applications

• Historical Insights: Studying ancient burials to understand cultural practices, social hierarchy, or demographic patterns (e.g., analyzing Roman or Medieval cemeteries).
• Mass Grave Investigations: Examining remains from historical conflicts, genocides, or disasters (e.g., World War II mass graves or plague pits).
• Repatriation: Identifying remains for return to descendant communities, often in collaboration with indigenous groups or cultural organizations.
• Legal Cases: Providing evidence in cases involving historical crimes or unidentified remains from recent history.

Challenges

• Preservation: Ancient remains may be degraded, limiting analysis.
• Contextual Gaps: Lack of historical records can make interpretation difficult.
• Ethical Considerations: Balancing scientific study with respect for cultural or descendant sensitivities, especially in repatriation cases.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Requires expertise in archaeology, anthropology, history, and sometimes forensic science.