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 estimate 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 further develop your research proposal by conducting a literature review and expanding it into a comprehensive, fully elaborated study design that could be carried out in practice.

Added value:
This minor, that combines knowledge from biological 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 with skeletal analysis, laboratory work and knowledge on the taphonomic changes that cadaveric material undergoes. 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 taphonomic studies, understands the decomposition process of the human body, and is able to develop and report a fully elaborated research design for a taphonomic, molecular, or anthropological study.
• Skeletal analysis & Bone Bell ringer test (9 EC)
  The student can analyze human skeletal remains to estimate age and sex, assess the contextual significance of the bones, interpret taphonomic changes, and apply techniques such as DNA-extraction, analytical chemistry, and histology, including the preparation of microscopic bone slides, to investigate decomposed tissue or skeletal material.
• 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 and Biology.
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.
• Bone bell ringer test, individual bone exam.
• 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.