Are you curious about the molecular and biological processes that occur after death and how we can apply this knowledge in forensic research?

In the minor Molecular Taphonomy and Forensic Anthropology, you will learn how DNA and other biomolecules behave during the decomposition of an organism. You will apply techniques such as DNA extraction, applied analytical chemistry, and histology to decomposed tissue or skeletal remains. Additionally, you will learn how to analyze human remains and determine sex and age. You will write a skeletal analysis report on this topic.

Parallel to this period, you will immerse yourself in the literature of a topic of your choice and write a research proposal for an applied taphonomic, molecular, or anthropological study addressing an identified knowledge gap. In the second part of the minor, you will put your research proposal into practice by conducting your study and completing it with a thesis.

Added value:

This minor, that combines knowledge from anthropology and forensic science, is a niche subject. Interesting for students with either an forensic or biological background and an interest in the molecular aspects of decomposition, such as DNA degradation, protein breakdown, and the chemical changes that occur after death.

The minor offers them hands-on experience and knowledge on the taphonomic changes in cadaveric material and skeletal analysis. 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).

After this course the student has/is able to:

• Insight in the value and complexity of taphonomic studies.
• Knowledge of the process of decomposition of the human body.
• Knows the effects of in- and external variables on the process of decomposition.
• Can analyze human archaeological skeletal remains to obtain information about age and sex, and provide an analysis of the context of the bones
• Can apply techniques such as DNA extraction, applied analytical chemistry, and histology to decomposed tissue or skeletal remains.
• Identify possible knowledge lacunae in literature, based on acquired knowledge, and write a research proposal. 
• Set up a taphonomic, molecular, or anthropological experiment, execute it and report the results.
• Make microscopic slides from bone. 

Propedeuse behaald.

Biomedische wetenschappen, biotechnologie, forensic science, biologie.

During the minor, work will be done with human material. It is important that you are vaccinated for Hepatitis B. A complete vaccination against Hepatitis B consists of three injections in months 0, 1, and 6, and generally provides lifelong protection. To confirm this, blood should be drawn one to three months after the last Hepatitis B vaccination to determine the antibody level (titer). It is advisable to contact local health centers or your general practitioner as soon as possible to arrange your vaccination.

• Mandatory: Forensic Taphonomy, the post-mortem fate of human remains, by William D. Haglund & Marcella H.  
• Mandatory: Manual of ForensicTaphonomy, by James T. Pokines & Steven A. Symes.(2014) 
• Advised: Human bone manual, by Pieter A. Folkens en Tim White
• Proper work clothing and gear. 

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

Practice
Workshops: 40 hours
Short reports: 32 hours
Skeletal analysis: 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

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

Maximaal 50 studenten: 30 intern, 20 extern.