Forensic Recovery of Human Remains

Archaeological Approaches

John J. Schultz, Lana J. Williams, James T. Pokines, Tosha L. Dupras, Sandra M. Wheeler

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN:
  9781138706729
• Edition: 3
• eBook ISBN:
  9781351782647
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Physical Anthropology
• Index: Social Sciences

Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches 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, this 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, this 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.

This third edition serves as an essential resource for undergraduates, graduate students, law enforcement and death scene personnel, forensic anthropology practitioners, and forensic archaeologists.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Table of Contents
• Foreword to the Third Edition
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• The Authors
• Chapter 1 Introduction to Forensic Archaeology
• Chapter 2 Tools and Equipment
• Chapter 3 Human Skeletal Terminology
• Chapter 4 Understanding the Forensic Context
• Chapter 5 Taphonomy
• Chapter 6 Search Techniques for Locating Human Remains
• Chapter 7 Methods of Geophysical Survey
• Chapter 8 Surveying and Mapping Methods
• Chapter 9 Collecting Botanical and Entomological Evidence
• Chapter 10 Applying Archaeological Methods in a Forensic Context
• Chapter 11 Collecting Skeletal Remains
• Chapter 12 Writing the Final Report
• Chapter 13 Forensic Archaeology Research and Training
• Appendix A: Skeletal Inventory Forms
• Appendix B: Personnel and Scene Documentation Forms
• Appendix C: Botanical and Entomological Evidence Forms
• Appendix D: Surface Recovery and Feature Excavation Forms
• Appendix E: Soils Data and Sample Collection Forms
• Appendix F: Evidence Inventory and Chain of Custody Forms
• Glossary
• Index