Forensic Anthropology

Why study Forensic Anthropology at Dundee?

Since 2004 the University of Dundee has offered the first undergraduate degree programme in forensic anthropology in the UK. We are home to the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID), a centre which is regularly contacted for advice and input in high-profile identification cases both at home and abroad.

What exactly is Forensic Anthropology?

Forensic Anthropology is best described as the analysis of human remains for the medicolegal purposes of establishing identity. It's a specialised area of science that requires detailed anatomical and osteological training. Being able to assign a name to the deceased is critical to the successful outcome of all legal investigations, and this becomes increasingly complex as the body passes through the various transitional phases of decomposition.

The course is centred around human anatomy as the identification of the deceased relies heavily on not only hard tissue but also soft tissue information. A complex subject such as identification requires a multidisciplinary approach that demands free collaboration with many other fields of research and teaching including medical and dental disciplines, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, law and imaging analysis.

Naomi Aird is studying Forensic Anthropology. She says "I really value the opportunity to dissect while studying anatomy, as I found it so much easier to learn from the bodies than just from looking at pictures. The juvenile osteology collection is a fantastic resource and made it easier to visualise the osteological development of the individual bones."

Teaching staff delivering the course have national and international reputations, and several have practical experience of working in conflict zones including Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Iraq. The cases in which our staff have involvement are reflected in much of the research undertaken by the Centre, enabling it to maintain a high profile within the forensic community. In turn, this research feeds into our teaching, particularly at levels 3 and 4.

One of our most well-known members of staff is Professor Sue Black, who has recently been featured on BBC 2's History Cold Case, after finding proof of an African presence in medieval England.

Naomi Hatch is a 4th year student from South Africa studying for a BSc in Forensic Anthropology. She says: "The lecturers are all working forensic anthropologists and have first hand experience in the field. They are all well known within the scientific community and it's amazing to think they are teaching me."

• BSc Forensic Anthropology

• Anatomical Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery
• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Sciences
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Physiological Sciences
• Sports Biomedicine