Programme Specification

(1)

Programme Specification

Title:

Forensic Anthropology

Final Award: Master of Science (MSc) With Exit Awards at:

Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) Master of Science (MSc)

To be delivered from: 15 Sep 2014

Level Date

Masters or Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) 2016-17

Masters or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) 2016-17

(2)

1. Introduction

This document describes one of the University of Lincoln's programmes using the protocols required by the UK National Qualifications Framework as defined in the publication QAA guidelines for

preparing programme specifications.

(4)

2. Basic Programme Data

Final Award: Master of Science (MSc)

Programme Title: Forensic Anthropology

Exit Awards and Titles Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert)

Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) Master of Science (MSc)

Subject(s)

Mode(s) of delivery Full Time

Is there a Placement or Exchange? No

UCAS code

Awarding Body University of Lincoln

Campus(es) Lincoln Campus

School(s) School of Life Sciences

Programme Leader Gillian Fowler (GFowler)

Relevant Subject Benchmark Statements Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body Accreditation

Programme Start Date 2016-17

(5)

3. Programme Description

3.1 Overview

Forensic Anthropology is defined as the analysis of human remains in a medico-legal context. This also encompasses the search and recovery of human remains following a mass fatality, a human rights violation atrocity or a police investigation. The Forensic Regulator has recently requested that all forensic scientists must take steps towards professionalisation in which all practitioners must adhere to common standards. Forensic Anthropology has been revolutionary in its approach and produced standards and accreditation criteria for all practitioners through the newly-formed British Association for Forensic Anthropology (BAFA), ratified by the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) of Great Britain and Ireland. This has exposed the need for all new specialists planning to work as a practitioner in this field to aspire to be accredited. This programme envisages supplying the next generation of professionals to become ambassadors for their professions and drive the changes forward and has been specifically designed to follow the RAI Forensic Anthropology curriculum. This programme begins with the fundamentals of forensic anthropology; human osteology and the surrounding soft tissue, constructing a biological profile, and the analysis of traumatic, taphonomic and pathological processes. This programme then presents advanced forensic anthropology topics such as juvenile osteology and burnt and commingled remains. These topics take a hands-on approach set within a theoretical framework and are grounded within wider topics such as the law, ethics and human rights issues. The role of the forensic anthropologist as an expert witness is also examined in depth within this programme.

Forensic anthropologists are constantly on-call and responding to incidents around the globe on a regular basis. The contexts within which they work are becomingly increasingly complex, sometimes within political chaos and societal breakdown. Understanding the mechanisms in which they work under is vital in order to assess what is needed. The ethical approach to forensic anthropology is very much the focus of this programme along with legal ramifications and technological advances. This programme encourages students to critically evaluate all of the processes involved in a forensics anthropological investigation and aim for professional accreditation in the future.

3.2 Aims and Objectives

This new Masters in Forensic Anthropology takes a new innovative global approach and offers a distinctive perspective to the search, recovery and analysis of human remains. This is the first

programme in the UK to fully combine the traditionally separated areas of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. It is also the first programme to be designed to follow the curriculum of the British Association for Forensic Anthropology (BAFA), the professional body of accredited forensic anthropology practitioners in the UK, ratified by the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) of Great Britain and Ireland. This programme aims to produce graduates who are competent and proficient in the practice of forensic anthropology in a wide range of contexts, ultimately providing the next

generation of forensic anthropologist to external agencies and other end-user stakeholders in the UK and around the globe. Fundamental to this approach is the teaching and learning and strategy

exploiting our excellent facilities both in the laboratory and in the field. Our extensive and diverse skeletal collection is at the core of this programme both for teaching and research. This is the first programme in this specialism to offer an Overseas Field module where students actively participate in investigations outside the UK.

The overseas field course will take place in the second semester and will run for approximately fourteen days. This is an ideal opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills obtained on this course

(6)

to a real situation. The students will plan a project and collect data during the duration of the field trip. Each report will then be disseminated to stakeholders involved in the investigation including victim’s groups, government departments and forensic institutes.

The key principles within forensic anthropology embedded within this programme are; 1. Crime scene and mortuary awareness

2. The Criminal Justice System

3. Human osteology and musculoskeletal anatomy 4. Human variation

5. Biological profile

6. Trauma, taphonomy and pathology analysis 7. Imaging of human remains

3.3 Variations to Standard Regulations and Guidance

None

(7)

4. Programme Outcomes

Programme-level learning outcomes are identified below.

Refer to Appendix I – Curriculum Map for details of how outcomes are deployed across the programme.

4.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme a student will have knowledge and understanding of: 1 The key principles and techniques within forensic anthropology;

2 Recent developments in the field of forensic anthropology;

3 The moral and ethical issues involved in the practice of forensic anthropology and the constraints in which professional forensic anthropology is carried out;

4 Specialist topics within the discipline and how these link together in a wide variety of professional situations;

5 Professional standards and practice guidelines;

4.2 Subject Specific Intellectual Skills

On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to:

6 Employ and appraise the principal forensic anthropological methods to an investigation involving human remains;

7 Prepare and assemble a forensic report and assess its scientific principles

8 Identify the constituents of the human skeleton and its surrounding soft tissue and explain human variation;

9 Debate and revise a particular area of forensic anthropology through their chosen research project;

10 Assimilate and assess the role of the forensic anthropologist at a crime scene and in the mortuary and those of other forensic experts involved;

11 Articulate and communicate the role of the forensic anthropologist as an expert witness; 12 Evaluate critically new technological advances and its impact on forensic anthropology; 13 Compare and contrast the procedures used to obtain an identification of an individual in a

mass fatality incident using international Disaster Victim Identification standards;

14 Implement and rate the techniques required to excavate and exhume a mass grave and understand International Humanitarian Law regulating such investigations;

15 Structure and reframe the discipline of forensic anthropology and critically evaluate its published research;

16 Respond as a forensic anthropologist to highly complex scenes involving fragmented, burned and commingled human remains and defend the techniques utilised;

17 Incorporate and interpret critically the techniques required to execute a search and recovery procedure using forensic archaeological techniques;

(8)

4.3 Subject Specific Practical Skills

On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to:

18 Implement and critique the processes involved in mass fatality incidents including mass grave investigations, and demonstrate understanding of these procedures;

19 Interpret and justify the methodologies applied in producing an analysis of human remains in a forensic context;

20 Plan, execute and critically evaluate a piece of research in an area related to forensic anthropology;

21 Demonstrate and prioritise the skills required to act as an expert witness in a court environment;

22 Demonstrate and select the necessary skills required in scenes of a complex nature relating to burned and commingled remains;

4.4 Transferable Skills and Attributes

On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 23 Communicate the results of a report to a wide variety of audiences;

24 Demonstrate engagement and familiarity with recent and current research methods, results and publications;

25 Gather and manipulate data collected in a variety of different forms such as morphological assessments, metric measurements and ethnographies;

26 Demonstrate the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development through an individual research project;

27 Demonstrate competency in problem-solving in complex and open-ended situations;

For details of each module contributing to the programme, please consult the module specification document.

(9)

5. Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies

5.1. Learning and Teaching Strategy

The strategy behind teaching and learning in this programme is designed to prepare students for professional practice embedded within a theoretical research-driven framework. The programme sets out to expose the student to a variety of techniques including lectures to present theoretical content and cutting edge case studies following through with practical laboratory and field work. Laboratory work makes use of the extensive analytical equipment that the College of Science possesses using the latest analytical techniques to analyse our extensive collection of medieval human skeletons. These could include DNA analysis to establish ancestry, or chemometric techniques to investigate diet and disease from bones. Computer software such as the FORDISC 3.0 programme is utilized and the latest technology used at crime scenes such as the 360º camera and geophysical search equipment is also presented. Students are directly supervised in practical sessions and encouraged to work independently on their ideas in a dedicated forensic anthropology laboratory designed for this programme.

Outdoor resources provide the space to present simulated crime scenes including a DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) exercise designed by the students themselves for external agencies and a supervised mass grave simulated activity. A decomposition facility to study taphonomy and

entomology relating to postmortem processes is also a major feature. The Scenes of Crimes House is used to teach students the importance of evidence recovery and documentation procedures. Seminars are also an important part of this programme led by the tutor or the students focusing on problem-solving activities. Case studies, which put the theory into context, are an important element here, providing an appropriate environment for the students to present orally and through posters. A Moot Court provides the students with a simulated court room activity to cross examine and defend a position. Finally this programme makes use of external speakers and facilities specialising in forensic case work and law enforcement.

On this programme the students are encouraged to be autonomous creating an environment which fosters independent research and puts the ‘student as producer’ with a particular focus on

experimental and field activities. Students are encouraged to produce their own posters to present at a national or international conference in forensic anthropology.

As individuals the students study theoretical concepts, reflect on experimental work, solve problems, review case studies and carry out practical skeletal work. The production of a field based research project on the overseas module (option) and a final research project (core) with direct relevance to the advancement of forensic anthropological research is expected.

The learning and teaching strategy reflects the requirements for Master’s level with emphasis on student-centred problem-based learning, critical evaluation and the production of self-motivated research.

External benchmarking

QAA benchmarks for Forensic Anthropology do not exist and therefore this programme cannot be mapped against specific benchmarks. The QAA standards for Forensic Science Master’s degrees (December 2012) have been taken into account and used as a guide when developing the standards for this programme. These are as follows;

1. either a deep specialist knowledge and experience of techniques within a particular area of forensic science, or a wide knowledge and critical awareness of the whole discipline

(10)

3. an effective self-critical attitude in planning, carrying out and reporting Investigations

4. the abilities and skills necessary to devise, plan, carry out and report an original investigation or research project

5. a clear recognition of the constraints and opportunities of the environment in which professional forensic science is carried out

6. self-direction and originality in applying and adapting problem-solving skills to unfamiliar, complex and open-ended situations

7. an open and innovative attitude in the ability to plan and execute new experimental procedures 8. a familiarity with the moral and ethical issues involved in the practice of forensic science

9. confidence in their ability to interpret complex technical information and to communicate it in a wide variety of professional situations

10. the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development

These benchmarks are reflected in the programme outcomes and have been adapted to the specialist field of forensic anthropology.

In addition to these benchmarks the programme has been designed using The Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) of Great Britain’s curriculum for forensic anthropology (version 1.1) published on the RAI website in 2013. This has been developed by the British Association for Forensic Anthropology (BAFA) in collaboration with the RAI and the Forensic Regulator to address professionalism and accreditation of forensic anthropologists in the UK who are practicing casework. The Forensic Anthropology Curriculum of the RAI addresses nine key areas (excluding specialisms) in which a forensic anthropologist must demonstrate competency to become an accredited professional. These are;

1. General assessment of scene, lab and mortuary investigations 2. General scene/mortuary investigations

3. Crime Scene/Mortuary Awareness 4. Criminal Justice System

5. Anthropological Assessments 6. Biological Profile

7. Assessment of Ancestry, sex, age and stature 8. Identification

9. Imaging

These key areas have been incorporated into the programme outcomes and the modules have been developed to ensure that the entire curriculum is covered. The RAI will act as an accrediting body for degrees in Forensic Anthropology in the future and it is expected that this programme will be one of the first to apply for accreditation when it becomes available.

(11)

5.2. Assessment Strategy

The design of the assessment strategy for the course reflects the innovative approach taken

throughout. This strategy has also taken into account the wealth of resources at the team’s disposal; this includes library resources, cutting edge laboratory equipment, access to external contacts, a Moot Court and an outdoor campus unrivalled in the UK for outdoor field work.

Additionally it has been designed with employability for the postgraduate in the forensic sector in mind. Assessments are deliberately challenging and mimic the expectations of the job market. They include moot court appearances, research posters and witness statements. Particularly of note are the assessments that make use of simulated crime scenes containing human remains which set us apart from other institutions and are a chance for us to fully utilise our excellent facilities.

Assessment methods will measure the progress of students against the full range of module learning outcomes. Detailed feedback will be provided with each assessment.? An important aspect of the assessment strategy is ensuring that the University wide philosophy of Student as Producer is

embraced whereby students are engaged in research within their studies. The overseas field module, forensic anthropology and human rights and the project module are just two examples of where the student will lead and produce their own professionally relevant research. Attendance at relevant conferences to present their research is also expected. Forensic anthropology is particularly suited to this type of learning as students produce reports that are based on critical thinking and the

application of anthropological methods to a particular area of enquiry. Students are encouraged to question current methods and design new ways of solving problems within the field. This will culminate in their final research project where they will choose an aspect of forensic anthropology that can be developed through extended research. The module content and activities are designed to encourage research-engaged learning and will provide a platform for the students when choosing their project area.

(12)

6. Programme Structure

The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) is 60.

The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) is 120.

The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Master of Science (MSc) is 180.

Masters

Title Credit Rating Core / Optional

Disaster Victim Identification 2016-17 15 Core Project Preparation 2016-17 15 Core Forensic Entomology 2016-17 15 Optional Advanced Forensic Biology 2016-17 15 Optional Advanced Forensic Anthropology 2016-17 15 Core Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights 2016-17 15 Core Overseas Field Course 2016-17 15 Optional The Forensic Anthropologist and the Law 2016-17 15 Core Forensic Anthropology Research Project 2016-17 60 Core

Human Osteology 2016-17 15 Core

Methods in Forensic Anthropology 2016-17 15 Core

(13)

Appendix I - Curriculum Map

This table indicates which modules assume responsibility for delivering and ordering particular programme learning outcomes.

Key: Delivered and Assessed Delivered Assessed

Masters

PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12

Advanced Forensic Anthropology 2016-17 Advanced Forensic Biology 2016-17 Disaster Victim Identification 2016-17 Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights 2016-17

Forensic Anthropology Research Project 2016-17

Forensic Entomology 2016-17 Human Osteology 2016-17

Methods in Forensic Anthropology 2016-17 Overseas Field Course 2016-17

Project Preparation 2016-17

The Forensic Anthropologist and the Law 2016-17

PO13 PO14 PO15 PO16 PO17 PO18 PO19 PO20 PO21 PO22 PO23 PO24 Advanced Forensic Anthropology 2016-17

Advanced Forensic Biology 2016-17 Disaster Victim Identification 2016-17 Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights 2016-17

(14)

PO25 PO26 PO27 Advanced Forensic Anthropology 2016-17

Advanced Forensic Biology 2016-17 Disaster Victim Identification 2016-17

Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights 2016-17 Forensic Anthropology Research Project 2016-17 Forensic Entomology 2016-17

Human Osteology 2016-17

(15)

Appendix II - Assessment Map

This table indicates the spread of assessment activity across the programme. Percentages indicate assessment weighting.

Masters

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

Forensic Entomology 2016-17

Human Osteology 2016-17 100

Methods in Forensic Anthropology 2016-17 100

Overseas Field Course 2016-17 Project Preparation 2016-17

50 25 25

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Advanced Forensic Anthropology 2016-17 50

Advanced Forensic Biology 2016-17 Disaster Victim Identification 2016-17 Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights 2016-17

Forensic Entomology 2016-17 100

(16)

Project Preparation 2016-17 75

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Advanced Forensic Anthropology 2016-17 50

Advanced Forensic Biology 2016-17 100

Disaster Victim Identification 2016-17 50 50

Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights 2016-17

50 50

Project Preparation 2016-17 25

37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

75 25

Methods in Forensic Anthropology 2016-17

(17)

Overseas Field Course 2016-17 100 Project Preparation 2016-17

The Forensic Anthropologist and the Law 2016-17 49 50 51 52 EP 1 (Wk 16) EP 2 (Wks 33, 34, 35) Advanced Forensic Anthropology 2016-17

Advanced Forensic Biology 2016-17 Disaster Victim Identification 2016-17

Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights 2016-17 Forensic Anthropology Research Project 2016-17 Forensic Entomology 2016-17

Human Osteology 2016-17

(18)

Appendix III - Benchmark Analysis

This table maps programme learning outcomes to relevant QAA subject benchmark statements or PSRB guidelines.

Programme Specification