1 NATIONAL MUSEUMS LIVERPOOL 16 February 201611/04/2007 Application for the sampling and analysis of Human Remains (Destructive/ Non-Destructive analysis) Respect for diversity of belief and respect for the value of science. DCMS, 2005, Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums Introduction: Osteoarchaeology and related disciplines make important contributions to the studies of past lifeways, medicine and associated scientific fields, and public knowledge. They also raise ethical issues regarding the treatment of human remains. Due to the sensitivity of such material, requests for invasive and non-invasive analyses of human remains in National Museums Liverpool collections will undergo a rigorous review. The main criteria are: 1. That the research plan is well thought through and underpinned by a sound methodology. 2. That there is a realistic prospect of achieving useful results. 3. If invasive, that it is clear why non-invasive techniques cannot be used to achieve similar results. 4. That the project will further current knowledge, and that the benefits will outweigh any irreversible damage sustained by the sampled material. Careful consideration will be given to the impact of the analysis/sampling on the remains in question, and how this will affect their future stability, display, educational and research potential. Procedure: Applications will be circulated to the relevant Curatorial and Conservation Divisions for comment. Then forwarded to the Keeper and a representative of the NML’s Human Remains Group, to formally agree a decision. If the applicant requires a decision by a specific deadline (e.g., to include sampling expenses in a grant application), the form should be submitted a minimum of eight weeks in advance to allow for processing. If the museum needs to seek external advice, this is likely to increase the review time beyond eight weeks. Guidelines: 1. This form must be completed and approved before any sampling or analysis is undertaken. 2. In accordance with the guidelines of the Museums Association Code of Ethics (2002), researchers must, wherever feasible and relevant, acquire consent from authorised representatives of genealogical and culturally-affiliated individuals or groups. For burials of named individuals, permission must be sought from surviving family members, if known. For burials from known cultural groups, permissions must be sought from representatives of source communities. Such permissions are also required for DNA sampling, so that sequences can be deposited in the Genbank. The 2 researcher is advised to contact the Curatorial Department to discuss this issue well in advance of the sampling application. 3. The remains must be treated with due respect at all times. According to some source communities, photographs of the remains should also be handled with respect. 4. Human remains considered particularly sensitive, or subject to a pending claim for return, will not normally be made available for research. 5. The smallest possible sample should be taken. Invasive sampling must never lead to the total loss of any object: some part must be retained for future reference. 6. NML Curatorial and Conservation Departments must approve the suitability of each requested element for sampling and the specific sampling locations on each element. 7. If the application is approved, the applicant must provide NML with a complete recording of each element sampled, including measurements and ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs. In some cases it may be necessary to make a cast before sampling and the researcher is expected to cover any expenses. NML may also request that sampling sites be in-filled at the researcher’s expense. 8. Destructive sampling will only be undertaken at the highest standard of expertise and care. NML will generally carry out, or directly supervise, any invasive sampling rather than allowing researchers to do such work themselves. However, should the relevant member of staff be unavailable for such work, NML will request confirmation (e.g., by CV) that the person undertaking the sampling is suitably qualified and experienced, or that the researcher has funding in place to support sample taking by qualified and experienced personnel approved by the NML Curatorial and Conservation Departments. _____________________________________________________ Collection: ______________________________________________________________ Curator: ______________________________________________________________ Date form completed: Date application approved: Date sample(s) taken: Date results/report received: 3 PART A: 1. Applicant details Name: Academic position: Institutional Affiliation: Address and contact details: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: Name of supervisor/head of department/sponsoring institution*: Grant supporting body: Name and address of analyst/technician carrying out the analysis, and their institutional affiliation (if different from above): * if the researcher is a student, a letter of introduction and support from the candidate’s supervisor must be included with the submitted form. 2. Project Information 2.1 Project title: 2.2 Brief description (method and aims of analysis). Please attach a formal and detailed research proposal and curriculum vitae of the principle investigators: 2.3 How will NML collections contribute to research aims? 4 2.4 Supportive information/references: 3. Items requested for sample/analysis and techniques: 3.1 Samples requested (continue overleaf if necessary): Accession number Item Material Provenance Decimation of Information 3.2 Is the test destructive to the remains or does it alter them in anyway? 3.3 Is there a non-destructive test that can produce the same results? If yes, explain the need for a destructive test. 3.4 Size of sample(s) required (give justification). Please describe in familiar terms (eg., size of a pea, a grain of rice, a grain of sand, etc.) and – provide drawing of sample location on skeletal element (append another page if necessary): 3.5 Weight of sample(s) required (mg): 3.6 How many samples are required from each element? 3.7 Can the samples be used again (either for a re-run or for other purposes?) 5 3. Items requested for sample/analysis and techniques cont. 3.8 Method of sampling/analysis: x-ray manual (e.g., cutting) chemical scalpel scrape other_________________ give details: 3.9 Method of storing sample(s) after analysis: 3.10 Accuracy and precision of analytical techniques: 3.11 Will the sampling be done at NML or must it be done somewhere else? If somewhere else, where? Why? 3.12 If researcher is to undertake sampling, please supply supportive documentation listing qualifications/experience in taking samples*: 4. Dissemination of Information: Indicate where and when results will be published: If permission for sampling is granted, I agree to undertake the following: 1/ to supply photographs or casts of each sample prior to destructive sampling (to be agreed in advance as appropriate with curator) 2/ to provide a copy of the results to the museum as soon as they become available prior to publication 3/ to return to the museum any remaining samples or mounted material within one year (longer periods must be agreed in writing in advance with the curator) 4/ to provide a copy of analytical data and the relevant publications pertaining to the samples taken 5/ to pay any agreed costs incurred Signed: Date: ______________________________________________________________ Countersigned (Supervisor)*: Date: ______________________________________________________________ * in the case of a student the form must be countersigned by the University’s Head of Department who must ensure that the applicant fulfils his/her agreed obligations. 6 PART B: 1. Curator’s comments Date: Signature: ______________________ 2. Conservation’s comments Conservator: Date: Signature: ______________________ _____________________ Conservation Science: Section: Signature: ______________________ _____________________ 3. Keeper’s comments Section: Date: Date: APPROVED ________________________ NOT APPROVED _________ Comments: Signature: ______________________ 4. If artefact/materials have to be loaned for sampling a/ have loan forms been completed? Please attach photocopies. b/ how will artefact/material be transferred? c/ dates: start of loan: return of loan: 5. Date when copies of this form filed in: 1/ History file/object record (curatorial): 2/ Conservation object record: 3/ Conservation Science: Information must be input into appropriate database by relevant member of staff.