Case study Rwanda 1996. And Kosovo
One of the biggest problems with analysing techniques and methods used by forensic archaeologists, in non-historic mass graves excavation, is the fact that almost all data is hidden under the veil of secret. This raises many ethnical questions and concerns. Despite this makes no sense, it is the reality according to Steele (2008). In her work for Journal of the World Archaeological Congress, she pointed out that due to the importance of these excavations and evidence collected for the criminal trials, everything is kept far away from the eyes of the general population and even scholars. No one is saying that mass graves that date before the Second World War are less important. On the contrary, they have enormous cultural and historic value. While the mass graves, which originated as a consequences of the wars in the last couple of decades have some additional purposes. The discovery and revelation of these mass graves aims to bring the ones that are responsible for their creation to justice, and to identify the victims of the crime in question. (Steele, 2008)
Hanglund et al (2001), advocates that the excavation of mass graves provides us with information and documentation, on both legal forensic investigation and human rights work. For example, mass graves excavation in countries of former Yugoslavia and Rwanda came as a consequence of establishing the United Nations Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, as well as, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. In the last decades there has arisen increasing need for the usage of archaeological techniques for forensic investigations. Thanks to the above mentioned tribunals, in 1996. In these countries, over 1,200 bodies were exhumed. The r...
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...(Cox and Mays, 2002)
Works Cited
William D. Haglund, Melissa Connor and Douglas D. Scott. (2001). Historical Archaeology
Vol. 35, No. 1, Archaeologists as Forensic Investigators: Defining the Role (2001), pp. 57-69
Published by: Society for Historical Archaeology
Steele (2008). Archaeology and the Forensic Investigation of Recent Mass Graves: Ethical Issues for a New Practice of Archaeology. Archaeologies: Journal of the World Archaeological Congress
David Hodo ( 2012). Research paper: FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGISTS, MASS GRAVES AND THE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW www.academia.edu
Margaret Cox, Simon Mays (2002). Human Osteology: In Archaeology and Forensic Science. Cambridge University Press .
http://forensicoutreach.com/strange-cases-wood-chips-bone-fragments-and-a-clean-machine/
http://forensicosteology.org/about.php?language=en
Forensic Science Introduction: Someone in a restaurant has suddenly fallen ill and a mystery powder has been discovered with the victim. As the chief investigator, your duty is to identify the mystery substance through a lab. In this lab, it will consist of five known compounds and one unknown compound. Your job is to distinguish which one out of the five substances is the mystery powder. To figure out the mystery matter you will have to compare their physical and chemical properties and match them with the appropriate compound.
“Skeletons in the Closet”, written by Clara Spotted Elk, is a well-built argument, but it can be enhanced to become immensely effective. Firstly, Elk’s position is effective in obtaining her purpose and connecting her audience to it, because she includes a broad scope and background of the problem in the first few paragraphs. She describes the amount of Indian skeletons preserved and contained by American museums, through the use of data and statistics. For instance, Elk states: “we found that 18,500 Indian remains…are unceremoniously stored in the Smithsonian’s nooks and crannies” (13-15). By using this data, the background of the argument is illustrated to assist the audience in understanding her argument. Now, by knowing this statistic, readers can connect with Elk and her assertion, since we realize that there are plenty of skeletons that
The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the media’s portrayal of forensic anthropology in the TV show ‘Bones’, compared to what it is in real life. It is important to evaluate an episode of ‘Bones’, due to the growing effect of media on society. TV shows romanticizing forensic anthropology can give people who do not have real forensic knowledge, like the jury, unrealistic expectations in real life cases that involve the expertise of forensic anthropologists and cloud their judgments. The method to be used to evaluate the episode is triangulation of sources using lecture notes, textbooks, and peer reviewed journals on forensic anthropology. The portrayal of forensic anthropology in ‘The feet on the beach’ is inaccurate
There has been a lot of controversy regarding human remains and the field of archaeology for some time. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) protect the Native American’s rights over their human remains and cultural items. Proposed by the Morris Udall, former Congress Member for Arizona second District, NAGPRA was passed by the Congress in November 1990. The congress’ intention was to facilitate the repatriation of the Native Americans skeleton and cultural remains that were held in museums and federal agencies. In compliance with the Act, anthropologists returned several skeletal remains that were conserved in their study laboratories and museums to the respective Native tribes. In 1998, for example, the University of Nebraska repatriated over 1702 cultural artifacts to the affiliated Native Americans (Niesel 1). This was a significant blow to the scientific and anthropology studies as it marked the loss of necessary resources in unraveling the development of the human being.
Forensic anthropologists will use their skills and education in order to discover the different traumas that can occur to bones. The different types of trauma that will be discussed in this paper are projectile, sharp and blunt. Projectile trauma is most associated with firearms and bullets. Knowing what type of projectile caused the injury to the bone can help in locating the type of gun used, which can lead to a suspect. “When faced with a skeleton containing projectile wounds, forensic anthropologists should aim to supply as much information concerning the causative weapon as possible law enforcement officials.” according to Introduction to forensic anthropology (Byers, 2011, p. 248)
Bruttmann, Tal. Mass Graves and Killing Sites in the Eastern Part of Europe. The Final Solution
Anthropology is a study of mankind that goes beyond the fragment of ones skeletal remains. Anthropology Studies involved within this science include the culture and surroundings a person once lived in.Anthropology, (2014) A example scientist often conduct archaeological digs. Their findings reveal many different aspects of that person or person’s life. The weather a person could have been exposed to. The environment or activities that person might have participated in. The scope of life that can be recovered from human remains is astonishing. Forensic Science as a whole is an impressive and interesting science that can be used within many different realms.
Forensic anthropology is the study of bones in relation to a criminal investigation. Some have probably seen it used on television, but this is not an accurate portrayal of what this truly is. Many times, this area of forensic science is hidden from the public eye; people only get to see all of the glamorous parts. What they do not see is all of the hard work and effort that is put in to get the job correctly done. This career is a rare decision for someone to choose, because of the lack of opportunity for employment positions as well as the low income per year; however, it is an extremely fascinating occupation. Forensic anthropology has been known to help many organizations, including museums, and law enforcement agencies.
8. Mark, T., & Carter, D.O. (2010). Cadaver Decompossition and Soil: Processes. Soil Analysis in Forensic Taphonomy: Chemical and Biological Effects of Buried Human Remains (p. 35-36). CRC Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.es/books?id=aksRkfr1d6kC
In order to understand Forensic Anthropology we must break it down into the components. According to Oxford American Dictionary the term Forensic is significant to the use of scientific methods to investigate a crime. Anthropology is defined by Oxford American Dictionary as the study of societies, cultures, and human origins. The combination of both, Forensic and Anthropology, consists of applying the principles which are introduced by Anthropologists to solving a crime. Forensic Anthropology is currently a small field but is expected to grow in the upcoming years due how it is being portrayed in books, television shows, classes, and many other resources. The usage of this field is becoming crucial because of how gruesome the crimes being committed by criminals are becoming. Although Forensic Anthropology is currently a small field it requires a lot of education, carries plenty of job responsibilities, and continues to aid in the solving of crimes.
Chamberlain, Andrew, and Pearson Michael Parker. Earthly Remains: The History and Science of Preserved Human Bodies. New York: Oxford UP, 2001. Print.
Press, The Associated. "Zimbabwe Mass Grave Used as Political Propaganda." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 31 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 May 2014.
Through this research I have found that forensics and forensics anthropology work hand in hand. They seem to be closely related in regards (regards is an emotion, you mean regard) to solving criminal cases. A huge interest for me, while conducting this research is the impact the analysis has on cold cases. Cold cases are very important and require an extensive analysis of one’s life whose life? Mine?. Often victims in a cold case do not have strong family bonds, or persons that they are close to. It is imperative within life to have friends and persons, who will say something if you are not seen in a couple of days or weeks. Knowing where a person may be or what a person is involved is important in the case of a missing person. It is a vital part of forensics in relation to forensic anthropology. Within forensics anthropology you can find out more detailed information on the decomposition process. Steadman (2014) The information (what information?) can be used to identify a victim and maybe lead to clues of the perpetrator. New paragraph The study of a victim may also l...
I shall gather various types of archaeological publications dealing with deviant burial. It is important to include differing types of publications to see if it affects the way in which deviancy is dealt with. I will then determine if any common patterns are apparent within the study of deviant burial. If common patterns are found, each one will be explored individually. Searching for specific statements within the texts, I will attempt to determine how the patterns relate to the interpretation of deviant burial. As I have not previously dealt with deviant burials, I will also briefly convey my interpretations – as a simulated intended audience reader – of the way in which deviancy is conveyed through the material. This will give a distinctive perspective as to how the true intended audience of the publications may view the evidence as presented by the archaeologists. A discourse analysis is never complete as there are too many aspects to ever fully dissect a subject (Dijk 2001; Phillips and Hardy 2002). However, it is my intent to try to examine deviant burial as thoroughly as this thesis permits, as well as to bring a unique point of view to the
According to The Society for American Archaeology, the definition of Archaeology is, “to obtain a chronology of the past, a sequence of events and dates that, in a sense, is a backward extension of history.” The study of ancient civilizations and archaeology is rather ambiguous due to the primitive nature of the time period. With little imagery and even less textual evidence, professionals in the field must work diligently when studying their subjects. Naturally, archaeologists cannot see or communicate with those whom they are studying, so they must be extraordinarily meticulous when analyzing past cultures. This relates to all aspects of the ancient world including; foods, raw materials, artifacts, agriculture, art work and pottery. All of these elements can collectively provide new and innovative information to curious archaeologists who may wish to gain a better understanding of those who came before us. This information is equally beneficial for both historians and archaeologists who plan to compare the histories of societies from all around the world. In the world of archaeology, archaeologists strive to better explain human behavior by analyzing our past. Therefore, the study of archaeology is a key element in understanding a time before our own.