Manual of Forensic Archaeology
Part V
Team F
Everett Criswell – Author
Essential to the field of forensic archaeology is the proper management and
processing of all data recorded in the field. Data obtained before, during, and after an
investigation of any kind is very important because that information can be used in a
court of the law.
Good management of information found during an investigation
includes properly labeling and storing all materials and evidence found at the site, as
well as taking very detailed and intricate notes throughout the investigation. Processing
the data and materials collected means maintaining a good chain of custody. All of this
is critical to ensuring that cases are investigated as thoroughly as possible.
If an excavation is performed, everything found during the process must be
photographed, thoroughly documented regarding location, depth, and identification of
what was found. This includes items of clothing, tools, weapons, bones, hair, partially
decomposed soft tissue and any other items found at the site that could possibly
constitute as evidence. All data concerning the items must be properly logged and
organized, and the items themselves need to be correctly labeled and stored with care,
taking into consideration the type of material found. Special care needs to be taken for
the storage of any organic remains, especially soft tissue.
The usual technique for
conservation of soft tissue is refrigeration, which in most cases will easily prevent
desiccation. However, in more specialized cases, depending on the condition of the
organic material, other methods of preservation have been used.
The famous Bog
Bodies found in Northern Europe, such as the Tollund Man pictured below are protected
from decomposition using freeze drying techniques. Because of a severe lack of good
conservation methods when Tollund Man was discovered, most of the body decayed. In
fact, only his head is original today (Omar 1989). Both techniques of preservation can
be employed on any forensic case where organic material is found, specifically human
remains.
Figure 1: Tollund Man
Of equal importance is taking very detailed notes both in the field and before the
investigation actually takes place, taking into consideration all data that might be
relevant to the investigation. This includes information such as the latitude, longitude
and elevation of the site or area of work. It is important before gathering data in the field
to assess the nature of the field and its surrounding environment. The geologic features
at and around a potential site are important to take note of. The primary types of rock,
soil type and composition, presence of karst topography (caves/sinkholes/large deposits
of limestone and/or dolomite), mountains/large hills and bodies of water can indicate the
types and rates of erosion that take place in the area. It may also be of value to test any
nearby bodies of water for acidity, pH, and alkalinity to gauge the dissolving power of the
water. All of these can provide an indication of the condition we can expect to find
evidence in. At the site itself it is very import to note any disturbance in the soil that does
not appear natural. This can be on the surface or at any depth.
When in the field, during the investigation, it is very important to take notes and
collect data on anything that may seem significant. Taking photographs of all evidence
found and documenting the location of where it was discovered are both very important,
but also of value is taking note of the condition the items are in. If tools or other metallic
objects are found that are heavily rusted or otherwise highly oxidated, it is important to
note that because that information can provide a rough idea of how long a burial has
existed. Certain types of fabric can decompose over time, especially during warmer
months. Damage to items, such as clothing, tools, protective gear, and human remains
are important to document because they can indicate what may have occurred at a
particular site. Possible weapons are very important to take note of for exactly the same
reason. For data processing during and just after an investigation it is necessary to fill
out with as much detail as possible various types of forms. These include Excavation
Level Forms, Excavation Summary Forms, Feature Level Forms, and Feature Summary
Forms
When in the process of collecting evidence and processing data, everything
within reason should be taken from the site. This includes all possible evidence found
during the investigation and any excavations that take place. These items must be
properly packaged.
This includes labeling with detail and care all items and
bags/boxes/packages that items may be stored in. As discusses above, it also means
carefully managing all items that need some kind of preservation. Chain of custody must
always be maintained throughout a period of processing. As a current example for data
processing, a 6,500 year old city in Bulgaria, the oldest ever found in Europe was
recently discovered and excavated. This city included two story houses, numerous pits
used for rituals, and a necropolis or burial site (Smithsonian 2012). Obviously this kind
of case will require careful handling, identification, labeling and packaging of all artifacts
found at the site. Human remains found at the necropolis will require preservation using
various techniques before storage.
Good data management and processing is paramount in forensic archaeology. It
is critical to keeping a good record of what was found at the site, and what the evidence
implicates about the situation that occurred there. Any data collected can be used by
law enforcement or in court, so it very important to keep very thorough and
comprehensible notes during an investigation.
Evidence found must be properly
handled, identified, labeled, and stored. Especially during forensic cases, photography
is very important in keeping a thorough record of excavations. Many cases are resolved
because of excellent data processing and management.
Works Cited
Omar, S. The Conservation of Bog Bodies By Freeze Drying. 1989.
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/Readings/Omar%20McCord%20&%20Daniels.p
df
Smithsonian. Newly Uncovered, 6,500-Year-Old Fortified Stone City the Oldest in
Europe. November 1, 2012.
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2012/11/newly-uncovered-6500-year-oldfortified-stone-city-the-oldest-in-europe/