Download Broken Bones, Buried Bodies: Forensic Anthropology and Human

Broken Bones, Buried Bodies: Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights
KHC AR101 Spring 2016
Jonathan D. Bethard, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Boston University School of Medicine
72 East Concord Street (L1004)
[email protected]
617-638-4039
Office Hours: TBD
Course Description
Over the course of its historical development, forensic anthropology has moved from a peripheral
application of biological anthropology to a full-fledged specialty in its own right. Contemporary
forensic anthropologists work in contexts around the globe on cases which vary in scope and
complexity. While some instances involve natural disasters, many forensic anthropologists work
in contexts which are the direct result of political conflict, state-sponsored violence, and/or
genocide. Often couched in a framework of human rights, forensic anthropologists have made
significant contributions to multiple stakeholders including surviving kin of victimized
individuals.
The purpose of this seminar is threefold: 1) to demonstrate how forensic anthropology has been
applied to diverse human rights contexts around the globe; 2) to introduce students to basic
methodological and theoretical principles of forensic anthropology applied in human rights
contexts; and 3) to provide a forum where students learn from anthropologists who have been
involved in human rights work.
Course Objectives
1. Understand the ways in which forensic anthropologists utilize human skeletal remains to
answer questions of medico-legal significance in human rights contexts
2. Understand the ways in which anthropologists study and document human rights abuses
3. Identify regions of the world where forensic anthropologists have worked to contribute to
human rights investigations
4. Develop basic skills related to the analysis of human skeletal remains
5. Continue to enhance critical thinking and writing skills
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Course Requirements
Required Reading and Texts
Textbooks:
 Annihilating Difference: The Anthropology of Genocide (2002). Alexander Hinton
(Editor). University of California Press.
 The Human Bone Manual (2005). Tim White and Pieter Folkens. Academic Press
 Bioarchaeological and Forensic Perspectives on Violence (2014). Debra Martin and
Cheryl Anderson (Editors). Cambridge University Press
Course Blackboard Site:
Assigned readings are listed in the course readings section below; with the exception of the texts,
they will be posted on the course’s Blackboard site (http://learn.bu.edu)
Course Grading
There are two short (3-4 pages) papers, laboratory exercises, and a final exam. Due dates will be
announced at least 2 weeks in advance and late papers will lose 2 points for every day they are late.
Relative contributions to the final grade:
 2 short papers: 30% (15% each)
 Laboratory exercises related to human osteology: 30%
 Final Examination: 40%
Attendance
Attendance in class is required; only 1 unexcused absence will be permitted.
Academic Dishonesty
http://www.bu.edu/academics/resources/academic-conduct-code/
Course Outline and Readings
Week 1.
Introduction to forensic anthropology and human rights investigations
(September 2nd)
Define and introduce forensic anthropology, begin to understand how forensic anthropology has
been applied in human rights contexts and discuss assigned summer readings
Readings:
 Steadman, DW. (2005). The scope of anthropological contributions to human rights
investigations. Journal of Forensic Sciences 50(1):23-30.
 Dirkmaat DC, Cabo LL, Ousley SD, and Symes SA. (2008). New perspectives in forensic
anthropology. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology 47:33-52.
 Komar D. (2003). Lessons from Srebrenica: the contributions and limitations of physical
anthropology in identifying victims of war crimes. Journal of Forensic Sciences 48(4):713716.
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Week 2.
Anthropology and violence
(September 9th)
Begin to understand and discuss how forensic anthropologists and bioarchaeologists define and
document evidence of violence in both the prehistoric and contemporary past
Readings:
 Martin DM and Harrod RP. (2015). Bioarchaeological contributions to the study of
violence. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology 59:116-145.
 Martin and Anderson: Chapters 1
Week 3.
Anthropology and the investigation of genocide
(September 16th
Define genocide and discuss how anthropologists have contributed to documenting its effects
Readings:
 Hinton: Chapters 1-3
Week 4.
The process of otherization: examples from the Holocaust
(September 23rd)
Readings:
 Hinton: Chapters 4, 5, 9
Week 5.
Local dimensions of genocide: case studies from around the world
(September 30th)
Discuss examples of genocide from Rwanda, Guatemala, and the former Yugoslavia
Readings:
 Hinton: Chapters 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
Week 6.
Introduction to the Human Skeleton Part I: Bone Biology, Bone Growth and
Development
(October 7th)
Introduce human skeletal biology and discuss how the human skeleton can provide clues into the
lives of individuals represented by skeletal remains
Readings:
 Bone Manual: Chapters 1-6
Week 7.
Introduction to the Human Skeleton Part II: Axial Skeleton
(October 14th)
Introduce the bones of the skull, dentition, and rib cage. Discuss how these elements are useful for
documenting such parameters as sex and age-at-death
Readings:
 Bone Manual: Chapters 7-10
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Week 8.
Introduction to the Human Skeleton Part III: Appendicular Skeleton
(October 21st)
Introduce the bones of the limbs. Discuss how these elements are useful for documenting such
parameters as sex and age-at-death
Readings:
 Bone Manual: Chapters 11-16
Week 9.
Methods of Sex and Age Estimation
(October 28th)
Introduce the ways in which anthropologists estimate sex and age from skeletonized remains
Readings:
 Bone Manual: Chapter 19
 Klales et al. (2012). A Revised Method of Sexing the Human Innominate Using Phenice’s
Nonmetric Traits and Statistical Methods. American Journal of Physical Anthropology
149:104-114.
Week 10.
Skeletal Trauma Analysis
(November 4th)
Introduce the ways in which anthropologists understand and differentiate the types of skeletal
trauma
Readings
 Ta’ala SC, Berg GE, and Haden K. (2006). Blunt Force Cranial Trauma in the Cambodian
Killing Fields. Journal of Forensic Sciences 51(5):996-1001.
 Martin and Anderson: Chapters 4, 5, 15
Week 11.
Archaeological Investigations of Mass Graves
(November 11th)
Introduce archaeological recovery methods and discuss how human remains are excavated from
mass graves
Readings:
 Djuric M, Dunjic D, Djonic D, and Skinner M. (2007). Identification of victims from two
mass-graves in Serbia: A critical evaluation of classical markers of identity. Forensic
Science International 127:125-129.
 Ríos L, Ignacio JIC, Prieto JP. (2010). Identification process in mass graves from the
Spanish Civil War I. Forensic Science International 199:e27-e29.
 Ríos L, García-Rubio A, Martínez B, Alonso A, and Puente. (2012). Identification
process in mass graves from the Spanish Civil War II. Forensic Science International
219:e4-e9.
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Week 12.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Erin Kimmerle (University of South Florida)
(November 18th)
Dr. Kimmerle is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the
University of Florida. She worked as a forensic anthropologist for the United Nations and the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
Readings:
 Okoye, MI, Kimmerle EH, Baraybar JP. 2006. Forensic Investigations of Human
Rights Violations, Abuse, Mass Graves, and War Crimes. In. Forensic Sciences,
Wecht, CH (ed.). Volume 2: Pp.1-29.
Week 13.
No Class. Thanksgiving Recess. (November 25th)
Week 14.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth DiGangi (Binghamton University)
(December 2nd)
Dr. DiGangi is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at
Binghamton University (SUNY). She lived in Bogotá, Colombia for five years where she worked
as a consultant helping train forensic anthropologists charged with helping identify missing people
disappeared during the ongoing Colombian conflict.
Readings:
 Lopez AMG and Umaña AP. (2007). Who is Missing? Problems in the
Application of Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology in Colombia’s Conflict. In
Forensic Archaeology and Human Rights Violations, Ferllini, R (ed.). Pp. 170-204.
Week 15.
Review – Last Class
(December 9th)
Final Exam
TBD
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