Program Overview

Program Overview

The Forensic Anthropology Field School is a 5-week field school that trains students in standard forensic methods for the discovery, documentation, and recovery of human skeletal remains.

Program Details

Course Information

• The course is offered for 3 credit hours.
• The course codes are ANT 4523/ANG 5821L, Forensic Field Recovery.
• The program will be held on the UWF Pensacola campus.

Schedule and Dates

• The program will take place from 18 May to 19 June 2026.
• The schedule is Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.

Application and Registration

• The application deadline is 3 April 2026.
• Students will be informed about registering for the specific section when summer registration opens.

Requirements and Prerequisites

• There are no prerequisites for the Forensic Anthropology Field School.
• Experience in forensic anthropology, biological anthropology, human osteology, bioarchaeology, and/or archaeological methods and principles is preferred but not essential.

Additional Costs

• Students are required to purchase a dig kit (trowel, brushes, tapes, etc.) with an estimated cost of $50.
• A list of items to purchase will be provided.

Program Objectives

• The major goal of the program is to train students in standard forensic methods for the discovery, documentation, and recovery of human skeletal remains.
• Students will learn to apply basic methods of archaeological mapping and excavation to simulated forensic scenes involving both surface-scattered and buried skeletal remains.
• Students will also learn to distinguish human from non-human remains and gain experience with explicitly forensic procedures of evidence recovery, such as evidence documentation and collection, site security, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for different simulated scenarios.

Logistics

Transportation

• All activities will occur on the UWF campus.
• Transportation to and from the on-campus sites will be the responsibility of the student.