Forensic Archaeology Nowadays

Introduction to Forensic Archaeology

Today, forensic archaeology is considered a well-established and reliable sub-discipline of Physical Anthropology. It can be defined as the application of archaeological techniques and principles relating to the search, recovery, and excavation of human and faunal remains, buried evidence, and even missing persons; which aids forensic or medico-legal investigations (Márquez-Grant & Roberts, 2012).

Early Development of Forensic Anthropology

During the early years of the twentieth century, anthropology and its surrounding sub-disciplines were pioneered in the USA but initially struggled to gain recognition as a valid and reliable science (Stewart, 1979). Earnest Hooten established the field of physical anthropology and became the first anthropologist to hold a full-time position in the USA (Shapiro, 1954). Additionally, another prominent early anthropologist, Thomas Wingate Todd, was primarily responsible for creating the first large collection of human skeletons in 1912, and his contributions to the field of anthropology remain in use to this day. These early pioneers formalized the field of anthropology, but it was not until the 1940s, with the help of Todd’s student, Wilton M. Krogman, that forensic anthropology gained recognition as a legitimate sub-discipline. Krogman was the first anthropologist to actively publicize the forensic value of anthropology, even placing advertisements in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin to inform agencies of the ability of anthropologists to assist in identifying skeletal remains.

Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology in the Mid-20th Century

In the 1950s, the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps employed forensic anthropologists to identify war casualties during the Korean War, marking the official beginning of forensic anthropology in the US. Additionally, in the United Kingdom, Margaret Cox was one of the early forensic archaeologists to undertake casework in a criminal context and reflect on her work in writing. Cox's historical approach to developing forensic anthropology and archaeology is apparent in the way she combined the practice of international mass atrocity exhumations with the identification, search, location, and excavation of clandestine single inhumations, more commonly associated with domestic major crime investigations—a theme that could be argued to be a direct reflection of the development period of these disciplines (Blau & Ubelaker, 2016).

Contemporary Developments and Global Context

While the lack of definitive recognition of these disciplines in some countries has resulted in limited use and growth of forensic anthropologists and archaeologists domestically, other countries have sought to bring these subject areas into the contemporary mainstream. This has been achieved through the increased accreditation of experts and practitioners, the enhancement of academic respectability, the expansion of organized university and educational courses, and improved support for detailed reporting and research. Subsequently, after the widespread use of forensic anthropologists and archaeologists in the mid-1990s in post-conflict sites, the role of these disciplines in global contexts has become very well established. They now play a crucial role in international criminal tribunals and acts of terrorism, locating, recovering, recording, and analyzing physical evidence to prosecute major human rights violations related to mass executions.

Conclusion

The evolution of forensic archaeology and anthropology from their early 20th-century origins to their current global importance highlights the significance of these fields in both historical and modern contexts. As these disciplines continue to grow and develop, their contributions to justice and human rights will undoubtedly expand, providing invaluable insights into both historical and contemporary issues.

References:

• Blau, S., & Ubelaker, D. H. (2016). Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. Routledge.
• Márquez-Grant, N., & Roberts, C. (2012). Forensic Archaeology: A Global Perspective. John Wiley & Sons.
• Shapiro, H. L. (1954). Man, Culture, and Society. Oxford University Press.
• Stewart, T. D. (1979). Essentials of Forensic Anthropology: Especially as Developed in the United States. Charles C Thomas Publisher.