Do you want to know whether decomposing cadaver material has an effect on the environment, and vica versa? You reconstruct past events, get hands-on experience in skeletal analysis, and dive into the study of fossilization of organic remains. In the minor Forensic Taphonomy we combine different scientific fields that can help answer these questions.

When you dive into this unique world you get to work with themes as decomposition of human remains, (micro)environmental effects (flora and fauna), extreme situations like fires, all applied to forensics. After performing a series of outdoor analysis, you write a field analysis report. Parallel to this period, you immerse yourself in the literature of a topic of your choice and write a research proposal for an applied taphonomic study into an identified knowledge gap. In the second part of the minor, you roll up your sleeves and, for example, put your own research proposal into practice by carrying out a taphonomic experiment. You set this up yourself and you complete it with a thesis.

Added value:
This minor, that combines knowledge from archaeology and forensic science, is a niche subject. Interesting for students with either an archaeological or biological background and an interest in forensic science. The minor offers them hands-on experience and knowledge on the taphonomic changes in cadaveric material. Students will participate in a large research group and learn how to set-up their own experiment. Notable also is that further education on this topic at home and abroad, is limited, especially of this volume (30 ects).

• Research proposal (6 EC)
  The student can identify a knowledge lacunae in the literature based on acquired knowledge and propose a study to fill in the lacunae by means of experimental work.
• Research thesis (9 EC)
  The student shows understanding of the value and complexity of taphonomy, understands the decomposition process of the human body, and can design, execute, and report on a taphonomic experiment.
• Field analysis (9 EC)
  The student can macroscopically assess the state of remains, or degree of taphonomic change, by using internationally accepted models. The student is also able to adapt these models if necessary, analyze and interpret data on decomposition, objectively document the decomposition process according to guidelines, apply knowledge of human or non-human decomposition, and explain the effect of influencing variables.
• Exam Taphonomy (6 EC)
  The student understands the decomposition process of the human body, the effects of internal and external variables on this process, and has knowledge about the methods for estimating the postmortem interval.

Propaedeutic certificate.

Students from Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Archaeology, and Biology.

• Mandatory: Forensic Taphonomy, the post-mortem fate of human remains, by William D. Haglund & Marcella H. Sorg. 
• Advised: Manual of Forensic Taphonomy, by James T. Pokines & Steven A. Symes.(2014) 
• Proper work clothing and gear. 

Theory
Lectures: 46 hours
Self-study: 150 hours
Presentation: 10 hours

Practice
Field study: 70 hours
Workshops: 8 hours
Field analysis report: 112 hours

Research proposal
Annotation: 20 hours
Literature study: 140 hours
Report: 64 hours

Research
Literature study: 66 hours
Methodology: 12 hours
Execution: 80 hours
Report: 32 hours
Presentation: 6 hours

• Field analysis report, individual essay.
• Research proposal, individual presentation.
• Exam Taphonomy, individual exam, closed book.
• Research thesis, individual essay. 

A maximum of 25 students, of which 20 places are available for internal students and 5 places for external students.

A minimum of 15 participants is required for the minor to take place.