Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology in Denmark

Abstract

In this paper, we provide a brief overview of the status of forensic anthropology and forensic archeology in Denmark, as well as related information about education, research, and skeletal collections. Forensic anthropologists mainly deal with the examination of unidentified skeletal remains. Some special tasks include cranial trauma analysis of the recently deceased, advanced 3D visualization from CT scanning of homicide cases, and stature estimation of perpetrators using surveillance videos. Forensic anthropologists are employed at one of Denmark’s three departments of forensic medicine (in Copenhagen, Odense, and Aarhus) and have access to advanced imaging equipment (e.g., CT and MR scanning, surface scanners, and 3D printers) for use in both their requisitioned work and their research. Extensive research is conducted on different topics, such as the health and diseases of past populations, age estimation, and human morphology. Research is based on skeletal material from the archeological collections housed in Copenhagen and Odense or on CT data from the recently deceased. There is no full degree in forensic anthropology in Denmark, but elective courses and lectures are offered to students at different levels and to people from different professional backgrounds. Forensic archaeology is a relatively new field of expertise in Denmark, and relevant cases are rare, with only one or two cases per year. No forensic archeologists are officially employed in any of the departments of forensic medicine. Until recently, the Special Crime Unit of the police handled crime scene investigations involving excavations, but with the option of enlisting the help of outside specialists, such as archaeologists, anthropologists, and pathologists. An official excavation work group was established in 2015 under the lead of the Special Crime Unit of the police with the aim of refining the methods and procedures used in relevant criminal investigations. The group is represented by five police officers from the Special Crime Scene Unit, a police officer from the National Police Dog Training center, the two archaeologists from Moesgaard Museum, a forensic anthropologist from the Department of Forensic Medicine (University of Copenhagen), and a forensic pathologist from the Department of Forensic Medicine (University of Aarhus).

Bone finds and their medicolegal examination: a study from Hesse, Germany

“…In many federal states of Germany, acquiring the necessary expertise is part of the underlying specialty training in Legal Medicine. The processing of bone finds differs greatly from other countries, where forensic anthropology as an independent subject has a broader profile [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35].…”

Awareness of forensic anthropology in Switzerland: a survey among forensic practitioners, police, and prosecutors

“…The responses regarding the main tasks of FA can be interpreted in light of FA-specific literature, assigning an expected value of 100% to tasks, which are typically addressed in FA textbooks (e.g. [ 17 – 20 ]) or have been identified as main tasks in other FA surveys/studies [ 4 , 5 , 9 , 12 , 14 , 21 , 22 ]. These tasks include the evaluation of human vs. non-human bones, the assessment of skeletal features leading to biological profile, the descriptive evaluation of skeletal trauma and pathology, and the assistance in the identification process of human remains.…”

“…Prior studies have shown that acceptance and knowledge of FA on the national level varies widely [ 1 , 5 , 8 – 14 ]. For example, just recent and very limited involvement of FAs in relevant forensic investigations are reported from Finland [ 14 ]; for Sweden, only some FAs involvement in casework mainly depending on the knowledge/personal contacts of the crime scene investigator or forensic pathologists in charge are stated by Alfsdotter [ 8 ] and Alfsdotter et al [ 13 ], whereas clear collaboration structures for FAs in Denmark exist and different aspects of FA are practised at three different departments of forensic pathology [ 12 ]. Compared to these three countries, the Swiss situation of forensic anthropology and forensic anthropologists seems to be most comparable with the Swedish situation.…”

A Virtual, 3D Multimodal Approach to Victim and Crime Scene Reconstruction

“…The height of a person can be estimated from a photograph or video frame based on stereology principles. If a 3D model of the crime scene is available, obtained through photogrammetry or surface scanning, the images can be oriented, calibrated and scaled using photogrammetry techniques [94][95][96]. By identifying and cross-matching control points in both the photos or 3D models, measurements from the photos or video frames can be obtained.…”