Field Protocols and Procedures

Question 1

what are the ten points concerning human remains?

Answer 1

1. the remains are usually found by accident
2. old scenes can still be recovered
3. recovery is difficult
4. case is already cold
5. law enforcement is not trained to handle decomposed remains
6. scene is always larger than it appears
7. goal is 100% recovery
8. archaeology techniques are used
9. contextual clues are important
10. recovery is destructive

Question 2

what are the goals of search and recovery?

Answer 2

1. find the remains with invasive techniques
2. secure the scene so evidence is untainted
3. record where remains are found
4. record relationships to various elements of the scene
5. discover method of disposal
6. properly remove evidence
7. map scene so it can be reconstructed later

Question 3

who has jurisdiction of a scene?

Answer 3

law enforcement

Question 4

who has jurisdiction of the body

Answer 4

medical examiner

Question 5

do forensic anthropologists have jurisdiction?

Answer 5

no, but they can have custody

Question 6

enclosed scene

Answer 6

any scene where the body is confined to a known area like a house or car

Question 7

open scene

Answer 7

scene where the body is found within an unbounded area like the woods, can be scattered

Question 8

surface scatter

Answer 8

open scene, remains are not buried, can be separated

Question 9

burials

Answer 9

can be opened or closed, can be single, multiple, or mass

Question 10

what are the inclinations of human remains?

Answer 10

surface depression/mound
soil color
vegetation
scavenging
evidence

Question 11

non-invasive search methods

Answer 11

not destructive to the scene
satellite/aerial imaging
remote sensing
line and grid searches
cadaver dogs

Question 12

satellite and aerial imaging

Answer 12

can be before arriving at the scene
works best for large areas
may be helpful in narrowing down the aerial imaging

Question 13

what are the types of search patterns?

Answer 13

line search, grid search, and circular search

Question 14

remote sensing

Answer 14

non-invasive techniques 
looks for graves without disturbing the ground 
ground penetrating radar
magnetometry 
infrared photography 
cadaver dogs

Question 15

invasive search methods

Answer 15

irreversibly alter the scene
soil probes, test pits, and trenches
potentially can damage evidence

Question 16

what do you do when searching for remains?

Answer 16

flag the remains and evidence
look for flag patterns
photograph the flagged evidence
record and map positions

Question 17

what should you note about finding the remains?

Answer 17

searching and excavating a scene causes permanent damage

cannot go back to find new info

Question 18

what should be documented while searching?

Answer 18

maps, field notes, and photographs

Question 19

what are the two questions to ask about the scene?

Answer 19

where are the remains in space?

what is the relationship of the remains to each other and other landmarks at the scene

Question 20

what should you do when mapping remains?

Answer 20

1. set up a datum and indicate on the map
2. establish a grid
3. measure between objects and flags and note on a map
4. photograph everything

Question 21

excavating remains

Answer 21

conducted once a grid has been established
use archaeology techniques
screen to remove dirt and look at smaller evidence
map, document, and photograph everything

Question 22

what are the general rules for removing remains?

Answer 22

1. do not remove remains until every skeletal element has been photographed and its location is measured and mapped
2. move and lift the remains the smallest distance possible
3. do not contaminate the scene while moving biological evidence
4. place the skeletal remains in a body bag, evidence bag, or a clean sheet and secure it
5. place the hands of the decedent, if they are still articulated, in paper prior to moving the remains

Question 23

what is the custody of the remains after recovery?

Answer 23

1. the medical examiner takes initial custody
2. release to human ID lab
3. return back to the medical examiner