Introduction: Commingled Human Remains Special Issue

Humana Press eBooks, 2008

2019

This document is the second in a series of guides aimed at promoting best practice in different aspects of archaeological science, produced principally by members of the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) of The Cyprus Institute. The current document was largely developed in the context of two projects: People in Motion and Promised. The implementation of People in Motion involved the laboratory study of a large commingled skeletal assemblage from Byzantine Amathus, Cyprus, which came to light in the context of excavations led by the Cypriot Department of Antiquities. Osteological work on this assemblage was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus through the Research and Innovation Foundation (Project: EXCELLENCE/1216/0023). In addition, Promised aims at promoting archaeological sciences in the Eastern Mediterranean, with funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 811068. Commingled assemblages pose special challenges in their study, nonetheless such a study can reveal key information on the osteobiography of those comprising the assemblage and the funerary practices. In addition, since commingling is both a natural and cultural process, it should be viewed not strictly as an impediment to study (though admittedly methodology has to be adapted and ‘traditional’ bioarchaeological conclusions are often limited), but as a kind of ‘life history’ of a skeletal assemblage. In line with the above, the aim of this guide is to cover various aspects of the study of a commingled skeletal assemblage. It should be seen as a supplement to the ‘BASIC GUIDELINES FOR THE EXCAVATION AND STUDY OF HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS; STARC Guide No. 1’, which outlines the key general methods for human skeletal excavation and analysis. As the first protocol, it focuses on the excavation and study of bioarchaeological assemblages, rather than forensic anthropological material, though many of the practices described are shared between these disciplines. Readers interested in the scientific investigation of multiple burials from forensic contexts are advised to consult the volume by Cox et al. (2008). It cannot be overemphasized that each commingled skeletal assemblage will pose different challenges and any approach to field recovery/excavation and laboratory procedures will have to be adapted to these. Therefore, the current guide is meant to serve only as a general outline and the described field and lab-based methods should be modified depending on individual circumstances, such as the degree of commingling, sample size, preservation of the material, research questions and other parameters. A number of excellent edited volumes have been published in the past years, compiling diverse case studies on the retrieval and examination of commingled skeletal remains in archaeological and forensic contexts (Adams and Byrd 2008, 2014; Osterholtz et al. 2014a; Osterholtz 2016). A lot of the information presented here has been drawn from these resources, as well as from other publications and the authors’ personal experience. References are given throughout the document but our aim is by no means to provide an exhaustive account of the literature. This document is an open resource and it is anticipated to be updated at regular intervals. We would greatly appreciate any feedback and recommendations for future improvement.

Florida Scientist, 2017

In 2015, a Florida forensic anthropology laboratory received a commingled assemblage of human remains (one female, one male) recovered from a freshwater context. We used qualitative and quantitative methods to sort the commingled skeletal elements into discrete individuals prior to conducting more in-depth anthropological analyses. Qualitative sorting methods included comparing morphological similarities between paired and/or associated skeletal elements, assessing the fit of anatomical articulations, and matching skeletal elements with consistent secondary sexual characteristics. Quantitative methods included osteometric sorting (which allowed the individual assignment of measured skeletal elements to be supported or rejected) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry (which established chemical elemental profiles for the individuals, potentially enabling the assignment of unattributed remains to one individual or the other). In general, quantitative analyses supported the qualitative segregation. No quantitative analysis rejected an original qualitative assignment. However, there were instances when the quantitative analyses failed to segregate skeletal elements into discrete individuals, even when qualitative segregation was clearly indicated. Further, pXRF failed to differentiate between the individuals, likely due to diagenetic alteration of all remains. Ultimately, the quantitative analyses supplemented, but could not replace, qualitative analyses in the resolution of this small-scale case of commingling. Both approaches are warranted.

Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology introduces the reader to the broad and fluid role of the practicing forensic anthropologist and archaeologist in various parts of the world. In the early beginning of the discipline, the role of the forensic anthropologist was restricted to providing basic biological information about unidentified individuals in a skeletonized or highly decomposed state. Today, forensic anthropologists have gone beyond the basics of skeletal analyses, and assist in the recovery and analysis of human remains from mass disasters and international atrocities, and even sometimes aid in the identification of living individuals. Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology is divided into five parts. Part I consists of nine chapters summarizing the history of the discipline in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, South America, Canada, Australia, and Indonesia. While the historical progression of the discipline varies regionally, there are some underlying themes. These are: 1) the role of the forensic anthropologist is fluid and continuously growing and often depends on the regional and cultural expectations and values; 2) forensic anthropological methods are still frequently carried out by pathologists and other forensic investigators, but an understanding of the value of using trained forensic anthropologists and archaeologists is growing in most parts of the world; 3) medicolegal investigations are multidisciplinary in nature and forensic anthropologists and archaeologists must learn to work as part of a team of experts, and; 4) resources for advancing forensic anthropology are still often lacking, but at the same time, there is an increasing push for better training of students and certification of professionals. While forensic anthropological research is discussed in several chapters of Part I, an unfortunate omission from this section is the contribution of forensic anthropology research to theory and methods in biological anthropology. Parts II and III provide an overview of the standard techniques employed by forensic archaeologists and anthropologists, respectively, during the recovery and analysis of human skeletons. Part II consists of only two chapters. Chapter 11 describes techniques for locating human remains, and Chapter 12 discusses general considerations for conducting forensic excavations. Part III consists of 15 chapters that provide a broad overview of the methods used by forensic anthropologists to assess the forensic importance of bone (human versus nonhuman and contemporary versus noncontemporary), analyze commingled remains, develop a biological profile (assessment of age, sex, ancestry, and stature), interpret antemortem and peritmortem trauma as well as taphonomic and fire damage, and use facial approximation, superimposition, DNA, and odontology to assist in identification. The chapters on forensic anthropological methods provide a good overview of standard methods used by forensic anthropologists but supply little information that followers of the forensic anthropological literature would not know. One of the most interesting aspects of Part III is the discussion by Sauer and Wankmiller (Chapter 16) of the highly controversial topic in biological anthropology regarding the concept of race. They argue convincingly that ‘‘identifying the place of ancestry is a legitimate and useful goal when trying to generate a biological profile and identify unknown human remains’’ (p. 187). Part IV includes nine chapters with case studies that demonstrate the breadth of the discipline and how forensic anthropologists and archaeologists work as part of a multidisciplinary team in homicide, mass disaster, and international atrocity investigations. Finally, the five chapters in Part V cover topics important to the practicing forensic anthropologist. These chapters are on professional conduct and include topics such as ethical practices, expert testimony, legal processes, working with large organizations, and the use of quantitative methods. Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology is an excellent addition to the forensic anthropological literature. The 42 chapters clearly demonstrate the breadth of forensic anthropology and archaeology, and the ways that practicing forensic anthropologists and archaeologists contribute to medicolegal death investigations. The selection of authors by the editors provides both comprehensive and multinational viewpoints— something missing in most books on forensic anthropology. The authors include individuals working in academic settings, medical examiner offices, law enforcement agencies, private consulting firms, and government agencies that have participated in numerous types of forensic investigations around the world. One thing that is abundantly clear from most of the chapters is that forensic anthropology has evolved into more than just a field that deals with the identification of human skeletal remains. Forensic anthropologists and archaeologists are now involved in numerous aspects of medicolegal investigations, including the discovery and recovery of remains, the analysis of trauma in skeletonized and fleshed bodies, and constructing a taphonomic profile. They also act, often in a leadership role, as a crucial part of multidisciplinary teams that respond to humanitarian and criminal investigations. Because of its breadth, Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology is a must for all libraries at universities and colleges that have forensic anthropology or forensic science programs. I would also encourage anyone interested in forensic anthropology and archaeology to read the book. However, because there are numerous chapters on each topic, there is also a lot of repetition. Therefore, readers may want to choose only those chapters that are of particular interest to them. Individuals interested in purchasing the book or teachers wanting to adopt it for class should be aware, however, that Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology is not a laboratory manual or an instructional reference book of forensic anthropological methods. While the book gives an excellent overview of the field and provides some information on forensic anthropological methods, it does not impart specific procedures or instructions on how to analyze human remains in medicolegal context. Of course this is also not the intent of the editors. What this book will do, as was their intent, is spark a conversation about the role of forensic anthropology in the past and present and how it will be practiced in the future. As a practicing forensic anthropologist and scientist conducting forensic anthropological research, I am glad I read the book. I highly recommend it to others with an interest in the growing and diverse fields of forensic anthropology and archaeology.

Encyclopedia of Archaeological Sciences, 2018

officers usually are not properly trained to recover and analyze skeletal remains. The forensic anthropologist is best suited to recover and examine these remains and provide answers to these questions.