This module can be taken as a Short Course for Credit or a Standalone Short Course.

Please go to the 'Upgrade to a professional qualification' section for more information.
 

Electives may not run if there is limited student uptake. However, alternatives will be offered.

 

This short course provides an understanding of how skeletal remains are positively identified, and how causes and manners of death are ascertained.

At a glance

  • Dates
    • Please enquire for course dates
  • Duration5 days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost£1,925 Concessions available

What you will learn

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:

  • Evaluate the evidence that leads to a positive identification and the role of forensic anthropology in assisting in that identification.
  • Compare the role of the forensic pathologist and forensic odontologist
  • Assess recent advances in the field and new techniques to help in identification
  • Analyse pathological conditions that can be observed on bones and teeth and categorise them
  • Differentiate between ante-mortem, peri-mortem and post-mortem trauma
  • Evaluate the features most commonly employed to differentiate between sharp, blunt and gunshot trauma

Core content

Course Content:

  • Identification of the deceased
  • The role of the forensic pathologist, odontologist and anthropologist in victim identification
  • Review of the human skeletal anatomy and biological profile
  • Latest techniques to identify bone
  • Fire victims and cremated bone
  • Dental pathology
  • Overview of palaeopathology, infectious lesions, joint disease, metabolic and neoplastic disease
  • Ante-mortem vs peri-mortem vs post-mortem trauma
  • The use of imaging in forensic anthropology
  • Radiocarbon dating, DNA and chemical analysis of bone
  • Identifying sharp, blunt and gunshot trauma

Upgrade to a professional qualification

This course will be taught at Masters standard as it is one of the modules that comprise the postgraduate Forensic Modular Masters Programme. Registering for this Short Course for Credit and successfully passing the associated assessment will gain you 10 Cranfield credits. These could then be used to apply for a transfer towards a PgCert/PgDip or MSc in the Forensic Programme should you wish to complete one of these courses within 5 years.

 

Find out more about short course credit points.

Who should attend

To attend this course it is a pre-requisite that you have either attended the Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology: Osteology module/short course previously or that you have sufficient experience and qualifications to prove that you have a good knowledge of human osteology and of the methods used to identify human bone as well as of victim identification from human skeletal remains.

Accreditation

The course is a module of the Forensic Modular Masters Programme, which is accredited by  The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Speakers

Concessions

Concessions are available for Cranfield alumni and multiple bookings from the same organisation, please contact us to discuss.

Accommodation options and prices

This course is non-residential. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information about our on campus accommodation can be found here. Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Situated close to Milton Keynes and Bedford, the Cranfield campus is situated in Wharley End, very close to Cranfield village, and is about 10 minutes from the M1 motorway.  There is rail and road access to most major airports as well as coach and train stations. Cranfield campus also has its own airport for private executive business travel.

Download a visitor guide including map, directions and health and safety information.

Campus address

College Road
Cranfield
Bedfordshire
MK43 0AL

How to apply

To apply for this course please use the online application form.

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.