Background
Formed in April 2011, after discussions relating to the ethics and practicalities of working in forensic archaeology. The group promotes good practice in forensic archaeology work to ensure that appropriate standards and guidance for forensic archaeology are adopted, maintained and enforced.
In addition, the group advises CIfA Advisory Council on issues relating to forensic archaeology, disseminates information relating to forensic archaeology, and facilitates the exchange of information and ideas between practitioners and bodies both within the UK and internationally.
Join the Group
Membership of the Forensic Archaeology Special Interest (FASIG) Group is free for CIfA members, just email groups [at] archaeologists.net. Non-members need to pay an annual £10 fee.
Twitter: follow @CIfA_FASIG on Twitter
Discord: Group members can request to join by emailing Meg at groups [at] archaeologists.net.
Committee
Rob Janaway (Chair)
Sabrina Ki (Secretary)
Laura Evis (Treasurer)
Alastair Vannan
Denise Hillier
Deborah Ryder
Peter Schofield
Anna Chaussee
FAEP: Forensic Archaeology Expert Register and Panel (Expert Panel)
The Forensic Archaeology Expert Register and Panel (FAEP) has been established by the CIfA Board of Directors and operates in accordance with the Forensic Archaeology Special Interest Group constitution.
Membership of the Expert Panel is open to all practising forensic archaeologists who must be accredited at Member level (MCIfA) and who have demonstrated competence against the CIfA Forensic specialist competency matrix, below. You can find the application form and regulations on the FAEP webpage. The Expert Panel is recognised by the Home Office Forensic Science Regulator and a list of panel members can be found here as well.
Standards and Guidance
The group has developed the Standard and Guidance document for forensic archaeologists. The adoption of this Standard was approved by IfA Council in October 2011 and has since been endorsed by the Home Office Forensic Science Regulator.
Business Plan
Specialist competence matrix
This specialist matrix is to assist applicants and the Validation committee to see where you demonstrate the grade applied for when working in Forensic archaeology.
Forthcoming events
For information about upcoming events, please visit our event calendar.
Previous events
- Forensic Archaeology Group first annual poster conference, March 2021. Group members can view the posters here.
- Forensic Archaeology held their AGM on 17th July 2019 at the Canada Water Library in SE London, at 10:30-12:00.
- Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval: From Early Decomposition to Skeletonisation Saturday 24th March 2018, Lancashire, UK,
Morning: Presentations covering current trends in major areas of taphonomic practice: post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation, volatile organic compounds (VOC) estimation, actualistic whole-body modelling and taphonomic facilities, burial and post-mortem biomes, and osseous taphonomy. Followed by an open-round table discussion between academics, practitioners, end-users and regulators into standardisation of research and practice.
Afternoon: there was a hands-on practical on PMI estimation in which attendees were able to apply different methods to a single simulated case. This comprised of a short series of lectures on decomposition processes and chemistry, entomology and body scoring systems, and post-skeletonisation methods.
Download the flyer here
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Forensic Archaeology AGM and Special Interest Group Event: Saturday 17 June 2017
The event focused on the current state of forensic taphonomy research. We had 6 speakers who discussed their work in forensic taphonomy and how it applies to case work. There was also a planned visit to the UCLAN's Forensic Taphonomy Experimental Facility and a panel discussion session on the future potential of forensic taphonomy research and how we can build a more collaborative network for taphonomic research. Further details can be found on this Flyer -
Representatives of the Servicio Médico Legal of the Government of the Republic of Chile held an event entitled 'Disappeared but not forgotten: the Chilean experience regarding the search, recovery and identification of victims of human rights violations that occurred during Pinochet's Dictatorship (1973-1990)'. This was held in Bradford on Wednesday 14 September. flyer for further details
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A special European Forensic Archaeology meeting held jointly between the IfA FAEP and the Netherlands Forensic Institute took place in the Hague on Wednesday 22 August 2012. www.forensicinstitute.nl. PDF of European Forensic Archaeology meeting
Newsletters
AGM minutes
2022 AGM Minutes
2020 AGM Minutes
2019 AGM minutes
