Themes

Ethical considerations in dealing with human remains

What is this about?

Traditionally forensic anthropologists are occupied with skeletal remains but more and more they are dealing with a different range of preservation of human bodies and body parts that take part in medico-legal processes. In addition, forensic anthropologists are involved in the identification, missing person cases, and individualization of mass disaster victims ^[1]. During their work, forensic anthropologists deal with different ethical issues that concern social, cultural, and political domains so ethical considerations can be applied to the profession and the individual ^[2].

Why is this important?

Forensic anthropologists need to adapt to the different socio-cultural aspects of dealing with death, the deceased, and human remains in various populations.

The leading questions to be answered:

· Is it necessary to have a defined code of practice or personal best practice is something to follow in everyday work?

· How many details are considered enough in writing the final report?

· Archaeological cases vs. forensic cases: obligation to further analysis even though the forensic significance of the case is missing?

· Are human remains still a person or evidence^[3]?

For whom is this important?

EducatorsAnthropologists

What are the best practices?

The training of forensic anthropologists is usually associated with archaeology, with little or no contact with human remains that are not skeletonized. Education is important for the proper implementation of ethical principles. So, it is necessary to educate forensic anthropologists in practical skills, and moral and legal responsibilities brought about by their work.

Moreover, when talking about forensic anthropology there are few international or national associations with formal codes of ethics like the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, the British Association for Forensic Anthropology, and the International Forensic Center of Excellence for the Investigation of Genocide. These associations provide broad guidelines about behavior but little attention to practice ^[4] .

Natalie Evans, Tina Baresa contributed to this theme. Latest contribution was Aug 11, 2022

Other information

↑ 1. Black, S., Aggrawal, A., & Payne, J. (Eds.). 2010. Age Estimation in the Living: The Practitioner’s Guide. New York: Willey
↑ 2. Hunter, J., & Cox, M. 2005. Social and intellectual frameworks, in J. Hunter & M. Cox (Eds.), Forensic Archaeology: Advances in Theory and Practice: 204–25. London: Routledge
↑ 3. Blau, S., Ubelaker DH. (Eds).2016. Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology: More than just bare bones: 593-606. New York: Routledge
↑ 2. Hunter, J., & Cox, M. 2005. Social and intellectual frameworks, in J. Hunter & M. Cox (Eds.), Forensic Archaeology: Advances in Theory and Practice: 204–25. London: Routledge.

[1] 1. Black, S., Aggrawal, A., & Payne, J. (Eds.). 2010. Age Estimation in the Living: The Practitioner’s Guide. New York: Willey

[2] 2. Hunter, J., & Cox, M. 2005. Social and intellectual frameworks, in J. Hunter & M. Cox (Eds.), Forensic Archaeology: Advances in Theory and Practice: 204–25. London: Routledge

[3] 3. Blau, S., Ubelaker DH. (Eds).2016. Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology: More than just bare bones: 593-606. New York: Routledge

[4] 2. Hunter, J., & Cox, M. 2005. Social and intellectual frameworks, in J. Hunter & M. Cox (Eds.), Forensic Archaeology: Advances in Theory and Practice: 204–25. London: Routledge.

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