Chapter 4. Recovery Scene Methods.

Chapter 4. Recovery Scene Methods.

TRUE/FALSE. Write "T" if the statement is true and "F" if it is false

1. Forensic anthropologists and/or archaeologists should be contacted by police when a skeletonized body is discovered so that proper methods can be used during its recovery.
Answer: True      p. 75

2. Forensic archaeology is a specialty within forensic anthropology.
Answer: True      p. 75

3. The recovery of human remains is generally constrained by time, and should be done as soon as possible.
Answer: False      p. 76

4. Visual assessment is the most common method for finding human remains.
Answer: True      p. 77

5. Fresh graves can be identified by the large amount of vegetation growing on them.
Answer: False      p. 78

6. The fields of view of searchers looking for human remains should overlap to ensure that no ground is missed during the search process.
Answer: True      p. 79

7. The recovery of human remains also involves recovering associated material.
Answer: True      p. 80

8. Flags on wooden posts can be used to mark human remains and associated material.
Answer: True      p. 81

9. The use of a GPS is essential in locating human remains on a map.
Answer: False      p. 83

10. Remains found on the surface usually are mapped in relation to a grid square.
Answer: True      p. 82 – 83

11. Although there have been cases involving excavation using a back hoe, normally removal of a buried body does not entail the use of heavy machinery.
Answer: True      p. 83 - 86

12. Hand drawn maps are not needed in forensic investigations.
Answer: False      p. 83 – 84

13. Mapping remains found on the surface is more important than mapping remains that are buried.
Answer: False      p. 85

14. Screening dirt is an important method for finding small items associated with human remains.
Answer: True      p. 85 – 86

15. Maintenance of the chain of custody of human remains is one of the most important parts of forensic investigations.
Answer: True      p. 87

16. Human remains and associated material must be stored in metal or other heavy duty containers for transport from the field to the laboratory.
Answer: False      p. 87

17. Bones from individuals that are in different locations in the field can be stored together for transport to the lab.
Answer: False      p. 88

18. Bones from individuals that are in different locations in the field should be assigned different numbers.
Answer: True      p. 88

19. Mass disasters use the same recovery methods as cases involving single individuals.
Answer: False      p. 88 – 90

20. Forensic anthropologists are the only personnel needed in mass disasters.
Answer: False      p. 89

21. A temporary morgue is usually needed for mass disasters.
Answer: True      p. 89 – 90

22. It is required that DMORT be contacted in any mass disaster.
Answer: False      p. 90

23. Genocide investigations require modifications to the forensic anthropological process.
Answer: True      p. 90 – 93

24. The calculation of Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) may be necessary in the genocide investigations.
Answer: True      p. 91

25. The conditions of field work in genocide investigations need to be ideal in order to perform a correct forensic investigation.
Answer: False      p. 92
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.

26. Which of the following is not part of all forensic archaeological investigations?
A   Location
B   Mapping
C   Excavation
D   Collection
Answer: C   p. 75

27. Which of the following should be done at any outdoor forensic anthropological investigation?
A   Secure area
B   Avoid contamination
C   Treat all findings as equally important
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 76

28. When searching for human remains, forensic archaeologists must:
A   Start digging
B   Arrange workers at intervals and start walking
C   Set up a grid square
D   All of the above
Answer: B   p. 76 – 82

29. Which of the following is not used in the recovery of human remains?
A   Magnetometer
B   Spectrometer
C   Cadaver dogs
D   Visual assessment
Answer: B   p. 77

30. Which of the following is a characteristic of a recent human grave?
A   Secondary depression
B   Burial depression
C   Cracks in soil
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 78 – 79

31. Which of the following may be found associated with human remains?
A   Clothing
B   Weapons
C   Coke cans
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 80 – 82

32. Which of the following is used to mark human remains at a recovery scene?
A   Grid square
B   Flag on wooden post
C   Pointer to north
D   All of the above
Answer: B   p. 81

33. Which of the following is used in the recovery of human remains?
A   Grid square
B   Flags on wooden posts
C   Pointer to north
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 80 – 83

34. Which of the following is not a good object to use as a datum point?
A   Parked heavy equipment (e.g., bulldozer)
B   Corner of building
C   Large tree
D   USGS bench mark
Answer: A   p. 83

35. Which of the following is not used during mapping?
A   Datum point
B   Shovel
C   USGS quadrangle
D   Grid square
Answer: B   p. 83

36. Which of the following is not usually used when excavating a buried skeleton?
A   Shovel
B   Trowel
C   Screen
D   Backhoe
Answer: D      p. 83 - 85

37. After discovering a burial, forensic archaeologists must:
A   Call in a backhoe to commence excavation
B   Pull bones from the ground as they appear
C   Skim dirt from the top of the grave
D   All of the above
Answer: C   p. 83 – 86

38. Which of the following tasks is performed when excavating human remains?
A   Skimming dirt
B   Brushing exposed bones
C   Exposing bones
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 85

39. Which of the following would be used to expose bones from a burial?
A   Shovel
B   Small digging instrument
C   Brush
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 85 – 86

40. Which of the following is an important task in maintaining the chain of evidence?
A   Assignment of a case number
B   Placing remains in container
C   Sealing container
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 87

41. Which of the following aspects in a forensic anthropological investigation is modified for mass disasters?
A   Personnel
B   Temporary morgue
C   Victim information
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 88 – 90

42. Which of the following can be used to help identify persons in a mass disaster?
A   Tattoos
B   Scars
C   Birthmarks
D   All of the above
Answer: D   p. 89 – 90

43. Which of the following questions would not be asked of a family member of a victim of a mass disaster?
A   What was the victims sexual orientation?
B   Did the victim have any birthmarks, scars, or tattoos?
C   What is the name of the victim’s dentist?
D   All of the above
Answer: A   p. 90



44. Which of the following is not a phase in a genocide investigation?
A   Pre-forensic investigation
B   Conviction of criminals
C   Forensic investigation
D   Expert witness testimony
Answer: B   p. 91

45. Which of the following persons is not part of the forensic investigation of a genocide case?
A   Judge
B   Chief archaeologist
C   Chief anthropologist
D   Chief pathologist
Answer: A   p. 91