ObjectivesSpecialist anthropological and archaeological skills can contribute, not only to our understanding of the past, but also to the effective investigation of serious crime, particularly murder and genocide. Forensic anthropology is concerned with the analysis of human skeletal remains within a forensic context and provides a vital suite of expertise and skills. Internationally, human rights violations and genocide are generating demand for skilled practitioners who can contribute to the identification of victims of such crime and the determination of the manner and cause of death. Such skills are also needed within the context of domestic criminal activity. Forensic anthropology demands an understanding of legal issues and constraints, professional skills enabling evidence to be presented to the Courts, and an understanding of location and recovery of victims. Biological anthropology also has value within archaeology where it is applied to skeletal materials from archaeological contexts.
Entry requirementsCandidates are likely to have achieved a good Honours degree in an appropriate foundation discipline, which may include biology, archaeology, anthropology or the medical sciences. Mature students with appropriate professional experience are also considered and encouraged to apply.
Academic titleMSc Forensic and Biological Anthropology
Course descriptionProgramme Content
-Legal Framework and Crime Scene Investigations
-Forensic Science and Analytical Skills
-Human Anatomy
-Developmental Biology
-Biological Anthropolgy
-Pathology in the Forensic and Biological Context
-Mass Fatalities Management
-Expert Witness and Courtroom Skills
-Dissertation
This Masters is a full-time, one-year course. Students take eight taught units with the majority of the third term devoted to the completion of a Masters dissertation for the award of MSc. Formal lectures, seminars and practical laboratory and field based sessions will be delivered by the programme team with contributions by experts who are leading practitioners and authorities in their fields. The anatomy aspects of the course are delivered in a leading UK teaching hospital.
Students learn in a wide variety of ways on the course including: osteological and archaeological practicals, role-play, a crime scene workshop, written assignments and a dissertation. Just as there are many ways to learn, there are a variety of ways your learning can be assessed, through coursework, group exercises, case study reports, presentations and role-play.
Assessment will be based entirely on course-work and the dissertation. Assignments will address specific theoretical and practical problems and some will attempt to simulate tasks likely to be encountered in the professional environment. They will include, for example professionally-structured reports, in-course tests identifying aspects of human bone, essays, presentations (in individual or group contexts)and role-play.
Candidates unable to complete the full Masters course may be able to leave with an interim award, Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Post Graduate Diploma (PG Dip) based oin the sucessful completion of four or eight taught units respectively.