Forensic Recovery of Human Remains

Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches, Third Edition provides a comprehensive and updated guide to the search, recovery, documentation, and excavation of human remains in forensic contexts.

Recognizing that many crime scene and law enforcement personnel lack formal training in archaeological techniques and skeletal biology, the book equips readers with practical methods for processing scenes with skeletal remains and decomposing bodies, while documenting context. Coverage includes new case studies, expanded figures and tables, updated citations, and two new chapters. One chapter now focuses solely on taphonomic modifications, while the final chapter highlights how research has advanced forensic archaeology practice.

While complex scenarios such as mass burials or water recoveries should be handled by specialists, the book prepares readers to manage less complex cases, such as single burials and surface recoveries, competently. It also outlines how professionals can apply proper search and recovery techniques, ensuring that critical evidence is preserved and that forensic investigations are conducted with rigor and accuracy, from field to courtroom.

The Third Edition serves as an essential resource for undergraduates, graduate students, law enforcement and death scene personnel, forensic anthropology practitioners, and forensic archaeologists.