Forensic Archaeology

Forensic archaeology is defined as the application of traditional archaeological theory and method to legal investigations. Specialists in this discipline assist in locating, documenting, and recovering human remains and/or material evidence; this is required in the context of single or mass death scenarios, whether natural, accidental, or deliberate. Standard scientific approaches within the framework of crime scene protocols and rules facilitate the archaeological recovery of forensic evidence that can be used to reconstruct criminal activity, thus also requiring expert testimony in court. The objective here is to consider the current state of forensic archaeology as a distinct discipline, including a critical evaluation of professional practice.