Unit Overview

Description

Lectures and practical workshops introduce students to the field of forensic anthropology. Students learn how to correctly handle and store human remains, and how information gathered from skeletal material can be used to estimate the age, sex and stature of an individual, while providing evidence of pathology and/or trauma

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)On-campus

The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) handle and store human skeletal remains in accordance with ethical, legal, and professional standards; (2) identify and interpret basic human skeletal structures relevant to forensic analysis; (3) distinguish human skeletal remains from non-human (animal) remains using anatomical and morphological criteria; (4) undertake biological profiling of human remains, including estimation of age, sex, population affinity, and stature; (5) select, apply, and critically evaluate appropriate population reference standards, recognising their limitations and contextual relevance; (6) identify and interpret personal and individualising features present in the human skeleton for forensic identification purposes; and (7) recognise and interpret skeletal evidence of trauma and pathology relevant to forensic investigation and reporting.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) practical work; (2) research essay; and (3) theory and practical examinations. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Daniel Franklin
Contact hours
lectures (6 x 3hrs) and practicals (5 x 3hrs)
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.