Recovery Scene Methods

Question 1

Why do we need specific steps for recovery?

Answer 1

recovery is, by nature, destructive

Question 2

What is a forensic archaeologist?

Answer 2

a person who specializes in applying archaeologist theory to a contemporary context

Question 3

What are two preliminary issues for recovery?

Answer 3

1. Need to secure crime scene against outside intrusion 2. The scene must not be disturbed prior to recovery

Question 4

What are the four steps to the recovery process?

Answer 4

1. location of materials 2. mapping 3. excavation 4. retrieval

Question 5

What is Phase I of locating remains?

Answer 5

finding the remains in a designated area (where’s the rest of the body?)

Question 6

What is Phase II of locating remains?

Answer 6

finding associated materials (aka non-bone evidence)

Question 7

What are the four signs of human remains?

Answer 7

increased insect activity and odor, different colors of bones, differences in vegetation, soil compaction

Question 8

What are the three indicators of soil compaction?

Answer 8

cracks around perimeter, primary depression, secondary depression

Question 9

What is the ray search pattern?

Answer 9

outward-radiating, equally spaced lines

Question 10

What are the four other search patterns?

Answer 10

line, grid, spiral, and zone

Question 11

What is the fixed point of a map called?

Answer 11

datum

Question 12

What do you use to map the area directly surrounding the remains?

Answer 12

a grid square

Question 13

Excavation should be ____ and ____.

Answer 13

slow; precise

Question 14

What is the main record called that keeps track of evidence?

Answer 14

chain of custody

Question 15

Soft tissue gets placed in a …

Answer 15

body bag

Question 16

Dry bone gets placed in a…

Answer 16

paper/cardboard box (needs to breathe)

Question 17

What is a mass disaster?

Answer 17

mass fatalities in which local resources and personnel are overwhelmed

Question 18

What are the four problems/complications related to mass disasters?

Answer 18

different levels of analysis for victims of different nationalities, shortage of expertise, complications due to location and safety concerns, political battles

Question 19

How do forensic anthropologists assist in mass disasters?

Answer 19

assist with excavation and documentation, Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), management of the dead, photos

Question 20

What do the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) act as?

Answer 20

custodians of international humanitarian law (ex. search for dead, maintain their dignity, identify and return to family, note gravesite locations, facilitate access)

Question 21

What does the AAFS Humanitarian & Human Rights Resource Center

Answer 21

promotes application of forensic science principles to global humanitarian and/or human rights projects

Question 22

What is the difference between human rights and humanitarian work?

Answer 22

different goals: human rights are focused on investigation while humanitarian work is focused on a family’s right to know

Question 23

Mass graves are usually assumed to be the product of a …

Answer 23

human rights violation

Question 24

What do forensic anthropologists contribute to a mass grave investigation?

Answer 24

systemic mapping and documentation, human vs nonhuman categorization, MNI, re-association, identification (the goal!)