World peace with forensic archaeology?

World peace with forensic archaeology!  Is it possible?

While world peace might be a bold claim in terms of forensic archaeology all on it’s lonesome, peace is somewhat part of what what the profession is about. Besides the general digging up of dead bodies or retrieving body parts during mass disasters and major incident investigations, there is in my opinion a deeper meaning to this area of forensics.

Forensic science in general is concerned with using science for the law and is used (generally speaking) to fight crime in order to render people accountable for their wrongdoings as well as provide a form of closure for victims.

In essence, forensic science is there to provide the best possible scientific evidence in support of a legal dispute. Be that civil cases or criminal investigations.

Forensic archaeology continues to be used in the detection and excavation of mass graves in relation to war crimes and genocide investigation. These include some of the worst atrocities known to man and beg belief when looking at the psychological and social motives for such crimes.

On an ethical basis it absurd that someone would want to do such horrible things to another human being and yet as a species, we are no strangers to war and death.

Without straying any further from the point, forensic investigations could be regarded as a safeguard for people. After all forensic archaeology is part of a system in support of the police and other law enforcement agencies.

Consequently forensics is participating as a driving force towards a utopian society where ultimately, after having achieved world peace, it would no longer be necessary to have said profession! While this may not happen in the immediate future, or maybe ever (given the grotesque nature of our species), this should not diminish our efforts in trying to reach this objective.

This positive course of action has been happening in all areas of our society for a long time. Just look at how we are dealing with global warming and taking positive steps towards sustainable and environmentally friendly living.

As we live in an ever increasingly populated world, forensic archaeology and forensic science can act as a deterrent to some criminals and therefore bring us slightly closer to a world in which we can live side by side (at this point you can get out the hippie flower necklaces), acknowledging our differences but above all, living in harmony.

That’s a vision of world peace I could live with.

Many Thanks and peace to all,

Alex

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Isotope Analysis

A developing field in forensic anthropology is stable and radioactive isotope analysis.

In archaeology comparisons of quantities and ratios of elements present (for example comparing the ratio of radioactive carbon 14 with it’s more stable carbon 12 and 13) within the body can get be used as a way of aging skeletal remains.  Due to elemental variations in location and diet, it is possible to use similar analysis to estimate where an individual comes from.

The relatively simple analyses can be made on a number of bone or soft tissues and yield information regarding the whereabouts of an individual. By performing the analysis on various parts of the skeleton it is possible to gain geographic information about an individual at various stages of their lives.  Analysis of elements such as Strontium, calcium or carbon in dental enamel may reveal details of the person’s younger life while analysis of hair may reveal the location within the last few weeks or months prior to death.

Isotope analysis is increasingly being used in drug related crime investigation therefore may be of assistance in identifying drugs (Giblin, 2008; Bergslien et al, 2008; Fantle and Bullen, 2008; Shibuya et al, 2006).

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Ultraviolet light search

Ultraviolet light has a number of applications in forensic analysis and search including authenticating paintings, illuminating trace evidence and fingerprints.  It can also be used during a search for skeletal remains.

Ultraviolet light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that has a shorter wavelength (between 10 and 400 nm) than the visible light spectrum and is naturally present in sunlight.  It is used in various ways such as blacklights in bars, sunbeds and portable torches that can be used in forensics. The radiating energy produced from the source will cause a fluorescence in certain substances and this can be seen in the form of visible light.  Bone fluoresces under UV light and therefore it can be used as a technique during night time search and recovery.  In theory fluorescing bone can be easily identified and while this technique can be very useful, in practice it can prove slightly more challenging to identify skeletal material in inhospitable

terrain.  UV light can help identify fragments of bone that may not have been identified during a daytime search and vice versa.

It remains that the use of UV light for the search purposes may be utilised in conjunction with other daytime search methods as a way of maximising the collection of evidence however more published research is needed in this area.

Palynology

A forensic palynologist is a particular specialism of botany that involves  the study of pollen grains and spores as trace evidence (Walsh and Harrocks, 2003).

Any person in the particular vicinity of a plant releasing palynomorphs may acquire them on their clothing, hair, body and in their nostrils, ears and lungs.  The palynological profile can be highly accurate to a specific location and useful in placing people or objects at a scene as well as determining the time of year. The diversity of the palinological profile can vary to within a few meters within the same area.

It is possible to retrieve palynological trace evidence (inhaled during life) from the nasal cavity even when a corpse is fully skeletonised. Pollen and spores can remain on clothing and other objects for months and even years and retain palynomorphs even after they have been washed and dry cleaned following a crime. (Wilthire and Black, 2006; Wiltshire, 2006; Haglund and Sorg, 1997; Walsh and Harrocks, 2003; Mildenhall et al, 2006).

Overuse of the term ‘forensic’

The definition of “forensic” literally means pertaining to the law, however the term has become increasingly overused by the media and consequently the general public.  There are an exhaustible list of techniques from different ologies (read disciplines) such as fingerprinting or archaeological methods that can be used forensically to investigate crimes.

Often the term is misused to describe methods or techniques that are not related to a court of law simply because it is cool.  The distorted use of the term has been amplified by the CSI effect and the media in general, adding to the misinterpretation of your average Joe Bloggs.

My gripe is when television programmes, newspapers and online media make reference to using forensic techniques for other uses…..What? For example using forensic techniques for an archaeological excavation on episodes of Channel 4’s Time Team. Despite the fact that time team has done a lot to bring archaeology to the masses, and for that we should be thankful, if you are no longer using a technique with legal implications then it ceases to be forensic.

Using forensic techniques in other fields actually means using methodologies that have been developed specifically for forensic science in other fields. Meticulously searching for a needle in a haystack does not mean that you are looking for it forensically. Likewise if you happen to come across a bronze age skeleton, say in your back garden, that was supposedly murdered it, this does not automatically warrant the title of forensic but is in fact archaeological since it is more than one hundred years old.

Those who know better should take it upon themselves to make better use of the word “forensic” in its proper context in order to ensure continued precision within the field and outside.

Mummification

Mummification occurs in hot dry environments where the body can dehydrate quickly and bacterial action is minimised.  The process can take place in days or weeks and the skin would appear dark, leathery and dry while the internal organs would desiccate and reduce in size.  In arid environments this can occur at any time and embalming of a body can ensure this takes place as has often been found with bodies that have been preserved for millennia in Egyptian tombs. In temperate climates mummification is most likely to occur in summer months (Dix and Graham, 2000; Mann et al 1990).

A note to the forensic community

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