Cost: $425 (includes all materials and lunch both days)

Register online.

Click here to download pdf of course brochure (for past program-2008)

Workshop Description: Crime Scenes, especially where human bone may be present, require special handling and expertise. If all the evidence is to be recovered and preserved in its entirety, certain measures must be implemented from the beginning. This forensic workshop is designed to acquaint law enforcement personnel and others interested in forensic anthropology with procedures and techniques specific to crime scenes involving human remains.
This course, which will take place over two days, will cover the following topics:

• Determination of human vs. animal skeletal materials
• Site survey
• Mapping of skeletal remains
• Archaeological excavation techniques
• Proper collection, handling and preservation of skeletal material

Schedule: A box lunch will be provided each day.

• Day One (In the classroom)
  • Discuss the role of a forensic anthropologist
  • Identify bones of the human body
  • Compare human and non-human skeletal material
  • Compare adult remains to subadult remains
  • Determine if remains are of forensic significance
  • Learn how to determine sex, race and other indentifying characteristics in the skeleton
  • Discuss evidence related to cause and manner of death
• Day 2 (In the "field")
  • Locate and map clandestine graves
  • Excavate human skeletal remains using proper archaeological excavation techniques
  • Collect and preserve human remains and other forensic evidence

Credits: 1.4 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s)

• 14 POST credits(Upon Request)
• 14 Continuing Education Hours OR
• 1 Grad or Undergrad Credit may be earned

• AmericInn
  204 Stadium Road
  Mankato MN 56001

Faculty: Dr. Kathleen T. Blue is a biological anthropologist in the Department of Anthropology at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where her research interests include forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. She received her doctorate from the University of Chicago. Prior to coming to Minnesota State Mankato, Dr. Blue worked as an osteologist for the Hamline University Osteology Laboratory. She has been involved in the analysis of modern and ancient human remains in Minnesota for more than 10 years, including both Native American remains as part of a NAGPRA initiative and modern-day forensic cases. She has worked on forensic cases for the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office, Dakota County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Questions: Contact the College of Extended Learning at 507-389-2572 or 800-311-3142