- Email: [email protected]
Forensic Anthropology in the United Kingdom – current trends, problems and concerns
Forensic Anthropology
- Introduction
A new beginning? This edition of Science & Justice contains something that has not been seen between its covers for many years; a themed collection of peer reviewed papers. I hope that readers find it useful; it should prove useful to any reader who wants a quick review course on what is going on at the forefront of forensic anthropology. Educationalists and students should find it particularly helpful. Library copies of this particular edition deserve to become exceptionally well thumbed. Martin Evison and Tim Thompson are to be congratulated on the superb collection of papers they have facilitated.
The question is, of course, should the exercise be repeated? It is only worth doing again if readers would find it useful. So your feedback is wanted and needed. If you feel that it is worthwhile, or has not been worthwhile, please let use know. If you are enthusiastic enough to suggest a topic for the next themed issue, or even to help to organise it, I would be especially glad to hear from you.
Robert Forrest
Forensic Anthropology in the United Kingdom current trends, problems and concerns TJU Thompson and MP Evison Department of Forensic Pathology, University of Sheffield, The Medico-legal Centre, Watery Street, Sheffield S3 7ES, United Kingdom
Forensic anthropology is developing and maturing at a rapid pace in the United Kingdom. It is now established within the forensic sphere and has been demonstrated to be a potentially important part of the investigation of crime and the identification of human remains. It has penetrated the public consciousness and it often seems that it can be seen, in one guise or another, around every corner. The purpose of this special edition, therefore, is to present an opportunity to raise awareness of forensic anthropology while moving away from the popularist image of the discipline. What we hoped to achieve was to raise a more realistic awareness of the subject to non-specialists and to highlight not only the potential that forensic anthropology has to offer those working within the forensic context, but also the problems that are associated with its application. As such, this issue of Science & Justice has much to offer the non-specialist, the trainee and the practising forensic anthropologist. This issue of Science & Justice has been divided into three main sections. Each of the three sections focuses on forensic anthropology in the United Kingdom. Although the emphasis is clearly on the problems, potential and application of the discipline in this country, many of the points raised will naturally be of relevance to those working and studying elsewhere. This special edition is also significant since it marks the first time that a collective of prominent UK-based forensic anthropologists had been brought together to discuss the discipline.
science&justice Volume 43 ~ o . (2003) 4 I81 - 182
The first section has been devised to set the scene for the reader - it is an attempt to examine the current state of the discipline as a whole. The paper by Thompson discusses the nature of the discipline, what is expected of it and how it can deliver these expectations while the paper by Black examines how the development of the discipline has now demanded the implementation of a scheme of registration as part of the widereaching Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners strategy, and what the consequences of this implementation mean for all of us. The second section includes papers that discuss some important and highly significant issues that particularly concern forensic anthropologists at the moment. The points raised in these articles need to be borne in mind by all those intending to utilise the expertise of a forensic anthropologist. The first paper, by Stephan, plunges straight into the facial reconstruction arena and attacks many of the misconceptions that exist concerning this practice in an attempt to present a more plausible image of the potential of facial reconstruction. The next paper, by Lewis and Rutty, examines many of the problems faced when attempting to identify juvenile individuals - an extremely pertinent paper
O The Forensic Science Society 2003 Key words Forensic science, forensic anthropology.
Page 181
Forensic Anthropology - Introduction
considering many of the recent and highly publicised cases presented in the media. Subsequent papers by Duhig and then by Guimarges discuss the issues surrounding the determination of forensic burial contexts from archaeological and the application of DNA analysis to unidentified individuals respectively. The third and final section of this special edition revolves around the actual application of forensic anthropology. The paper by Duhig describes cases of recovery and analysis of skeletalised human remains from clandestine graves in the UK. GuimarZes highlights the plight of forensic anthropology in Brazil in the identification of hundreds of individuals murdered during the country's darker past. This segues into the paper by Ferllini that describes the development of international human rights investigations since the Second World War. Again this should be of great interest considering the current situations in the Balkans region and the Middle East. The final article in this section, and the one that marks the end of the special edition of Science & Justice, is by Cox who discusses the importance of establishing and maintaining databases of forensic anthropologists willing to aid in human rights investigations.
It is hoped that the publication of this special edition will contribute towards a more realistic view of forensic anthropology in the UK as a discipline and its associated limitations at the start of the 21st century. In addition, there should also be an accompanying improvement in the understanding of what it has to contribute to society and what it has to offer at the crime scene, in the laboratory and in the diplomatic arena. There are many people that must be thanked because without their contributions a special edition as stimulating and as thorough as this could never have been possible. Firstly to Robert Forrest, editor of Science & Justice, for encouraging the development of this issue, and to Jane Cross for her patient (and constant) assistance. Secondly to the nine authors who have contributed a selection of excellent papers that have consequently showcased forensic anthropology in the UK. Finally, the contribution of the anonymous peer reviewers for their extremely helpful and insightful comments is greatly appreciated and duly acknowledged.
announcing the launch of
forensic-technology o corn o informationto industry
0
0 0
I
your one-stop shop for forensics With new content added every day, www.forensic-technology.com is a cutting edge information source for abstracts, case studies, latest news, events, message boards and supplier profiles. The Web site is regulated by some of the world's leading forensic professionals to ensure credibility and integrity of information at all times. We look forward to your visit. For more information please contact: [email protected]
iiiazia
Page 182
in association with the
www.for.ensic-technology.com a Smart Media Group Website
science&justice Volume 43 ~ 0 . (2003) 4 181 - 182
- Introduction
A new beginning? This edition of Science & Justice contains something that has not been seen between its covers for many years; a themed collection of peer reviewed papers. I hope that readers find it useful; it should prove useful to any reader who wants a quick review course on what is going on at the forefront of forensic anthropology. Educationalists and students should find it particularly helpful. Library copies of this particular edition deserve to become exceptionally well thumbed. Martin Evison and Tim Thompson are to be congratulated on the superb collection of papers they have facilitated.
The question is, of course, should the exercise be repeated? It is only worth doing again if readers would find it useful. So your feedback is wanted and needed. If you feel that it is worthwhile, or has not been worthwhile, please let use know. If you are enthusiastic enough to suggest a topic for the next themed issue, or even to help to organise it, I would be especially glad to hear from you.
Robert Forrest
Forensic Anthropology in the United Kingdom current trends, problems and concerns TJU Thompson and MP Evison Department of Forensic Pathology, University of Sheffield, The Medico-legal Centre, Watery Street, Sheffield S3 7ES, United Kingdom
Forensic anthropology is developing and maturing at a rapid pace in the United Kingdom. It is now established within the forensic sphere and has been demonstrated to be a potentially important part of the investigation of crime and the identification of human remains. It has penetrated the public consciousness and it often seems that it can be seen, in one guise or another, around every corner. The purpose of this special edition, therefore, is to present an opportunity to raise awareness of forensic anthropology while moving away from the popularist image of the discipline. What we hoped to achieve was to raise a more realistic awareness of the subject to non-specialists and to highlight not only the potential that forensic anthropology has to offer those working within the forensic context, but also the problems that are associated with its application. As such, this issue of Science & Justice has much to offer the non-specialist, the trainee and the practising forensic anthropologist. This issue of Science & Justice has been divided into three main sections. Each of the three sections focuses on forensic anthropology in the United Kingdom. Although the emphasis is clearly on the problems, potential and application of the discipline in this country, many of the points raised will naturally be of relevance to those working and studying elsewhere. This special edition is also significant since it marks the first time that a collective of prominent UK-based forensic anthropologists had been brought together to discuss the discipline.
science&justice Volume 43 ~ o . (2003) 4 I81 - 182
The first section has been devised to set the scene for the reader - it is an attempt to examine the current state of the discipline as a whole. The paper by Thompson discusses the nature of the discipline, what is expected of it and how it can deliver these expectations while the paper by Black examines how the development of the discipline has now demanded the implementation of a scheme of registration as part of the widereaching Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners strategy, and what the consequences of this implementation mean for all of us. The second section includes papers that discuss some important and highly significant issues that particularly concern forensic anthropologists at the moment. The points raised in these articles need to be borne in mind by all those intending to utilise the expertise of a forensic anthropologist. The first paper, by Stephan, plunges straight into the facial reconstruction arena and attacks many of the misconceptions that exist concerning this practice in an attempt to present a more plausible image of the potential of facial reconstruction. The next paper, by Lewis and Rutty, examines many of the problems faced when attempting to identify juvenile individuals - an extremely pertinent paper
O The Forensic Science Society 2003 Key words Forensic science, forensic anthropology.
Page 181
Forensic Anthropology - Introduction
considering many of the recent and highly publicised cases presented in the media. Subsequent papers by Duhig and then by Guimarges discuss the issues surrounding the determination of forensic burial contexts from archaeological and the application of DNA analysis to unidentified individuals respectively. The third and final section of this special edition revolves around the actual application of forensic anthropology. The paper by Duhig describes cases of recovery and analysis of skeletalised human remains from clandestine graves in the UK. GuimarZes highlights the plight of forensic anthropology in Brazil in the identification of hundreds of individuals murdered during the country's darker past. This segues into the paper by Ferllini that describes the development of international human rights investigations since the Second World War. Again this should be of great interest considering the current situations in the Balkans region and the Middle East. The final article in this section, and the one that marks the end of the special edition of Science & Justice, is by Cox who discusses the importance of establishing and maintaining databases of forensic anthropologists willing to aid in human rights investigations.
It is hoped that the publication of this special edition will contribute towards a more realistic view of forensic anthropology in the UK as a discipline and its associated limitations at the start of the 21st century. In addition, there should also be an accompanying improvement in the understanding of what it has to contribute to society and what it has to offer at the crime scene, in the laboratory and in the diplomatic arena. There are many people that must be thanked because without their contributions a special edition as stimulating and as thorough as this could never have been possible. Firstly to Robert Forrest, editor of Science & Justice, for encouraging the development of this issue, and to Jane Cross for her patient (and constant) assistance. Secondly to the nine authors who have contributed a selection of excellent papers that have consequently showcased forensic anthropology in the UK. Finally, the contribution of the anonymous peer reviewers for their extremely helpful and insightful comments is greatly appreciated and duly acknowledged.
announcing the launch of
forensic-technology o corn o informationto industry
0
0 0
I
your one-stop shop for forensics With new content added every day, www.forensic-technology.com is a cutting edge information source for abstracts, case studies, latest news, events, message boards and supplier profiles. The Web site is regulated by some of the world's leading forensic professionals to ensure credibility and integrity of information at all times. We look forward to your visit. For more information please contact: [email protected]
iiiazia
Page 182
in association with the
www.for.ensic-technology.com a Smart Media Group Website
science&justice Volume 43 ~ 0 . (2003) 4 181 - 182