Forensic Anthropology/Scene Excavation Activity
by Denise Spencer
Name______________________
Scene No. _________
Scenario:
Mr. T.J. smith was walking his dog in a local park. Suddenly, his dog stopped and started
to dig a hole. To Mr. Smith’s surprise his dog uncovered a bone. Mr. Smith took the bone
to the nearest park ranger and the ranger contacted the authorities. The bone was then
sent to Dr. Mandible, an anthropologist for examination. Dr. Mandible concluded that the
bone was human.
Your task is to excavate and process the secure scene for human remains. You must
communicate closely with your team and document your findings.
Materials:
Secure scene (24” x 10” wooden box, 5 inch disarticulated skeleton, soil)
Spoon for digging
Numbered place markers
Sifter
Small Baggies
String
Tape
Scissors
Graph paper
Paper towels
Ruler
Large bowl
Procedure:
1. Decide who will dig, who will sift the soil, who will place the numbered markers,
and who will package all evidence found.
2. Each bone or piece of evidence must be placed in a separate baggie and labeled
with the marker number and a description of where it was found.
3. Based on the search patterns below, choose which pattern your group will use for
your search of the scene. Draw and label your search pattern on the graph paper
provided.
(James, S. & Nordby, J. (2005) Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and
Investigative Techniques, Second Edition. CRC Press: Boca Raton, Florida.)
4. Dig in one section at a time according to your search pattern.
5. Place 2-3 spoonfuls of soil in the sifter. Slowly and carefully sift the soil over a
paper plate until all of the soil has sifted through to the plate. If bones or other
evidence is found, place a numbered marker (starting with the no. 1) in the spot
where the soil came from after returning the sifted soil.
6. Place the evidence in a baggie and label the baggie with the marker no. and
description of where it was found.
7. Record all information in the given data table.
8. Continued steps 4-7 until you have completed your search pattern.
9. Place all bones in a paper towel and reassemble the skeletal remains.
10. Based on your study of forensic anthropology, completely answer the analysis
questions.
11. Turn in completed paperwork to be graded.
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Data Table
Marker No.
Type of evidence
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Description of
evidence
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Was the evidence
intact or
fragmented?
Analysis:
1. Explain why your group chose your search pattern. Would a different search
pattern have worked better? Why or why not?
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2. Examine the skeletal remains and determine:
A. gender _________
B. height __________
C. race ____________
D. age ____________
3. After examining the remains, was this person’s death natural or unnatural?
Describe the evidence that led to your conclusions.
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4. Reconstruct the scene and describe in detail your theory (hypothesis) of what may
have occurred that resulted in this person’s death. (You may draw a picture and
describe your theory or you may just write a paragraph or two.)
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