Forensic Anthropology Field School at UTM (ANT306H5)

students in the woods with yellow caution tape in the foreground
Students participate in the Forensic Anthropology field school at the U of T Mississauga campus. Photo by M. Clayton, all rights reserved.

2024 fieldwork dates are now posted and the application form is open. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 11:59pm.

Course details and application information

 

Description

The Forensic Anthropology Field School course (ANT306H5) is an introduction to the field of forensic anthropological field techniques and scene interpretation.

Topics covered include:

  • crime scene protocols and record keeping;
  • establishing perimeters;
  • establishing a datum;
  • searching for human remains and clandestine burials;
  • mapping small scenes;
  • mapping large scenes (high and low tech);
  • establishing a grid;
  • excavation techniques;
  • stratification, soils, tool marks, and other evidence from the grave;
  • casting soil imprints;
  • taphonomy and taphonomic inference;
  • photography;
  • collecting evidence;
  • maintaining the chain of evidence;
  • scene interpretation part 1- reconstructing activity relating to the death and/or deposition of the victim;
  • scene interpretation part 2 - reconstructing post-depositional events.

View the course description in the UTM Academic Calendar

 

Location

The August field school and the Fall term lab sessions take place on the UTM campus.

 

Dates and course delivery timeline

Students must be available for both the fieldwork and the laboratory classes in the Fall term. Participation in fieldwork is a required part of the course. This course is typically offered every other year.

2024

The fieldwork components of ANT306H5 will be completed primarily during two weeks: 

  • 2024 fieldwork dates are: Tuesday, August 6 to Friday, August 16, 2024.
  • Students are REQUIRED to be present from 9am-5pm on the specified fieldwork dates.

The rest of the course will be held during the fall term (day, time and location will be posted on the Timetable Builder).

The course instructor will contact you via email with the details of the fieldwork including dress code and other requirements.

 

Fees and supplies to be purchased

  • Tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided.
  • Students are only charged Fall Registration for the course; there are no summer tuition charges.
  • The non-refundable ancillary fee of $35.00 CAD for all students who enroll in UTM Anthropology field school courses may apply. The ancillary fee covers the cost of minor field school supplies. All excavation equipment will be supplied. The fee will be payable via the Office of the Registrar after you are enrolled in the course by the Department of Anthropology.
  • There is some personal equipment that you will need in order to participate (more details on these items will be provided to students enrolled in the course):
    • Long pants and long-sleeve shirts
    • Hat
    • Hiking shoes or boots
    • Gloves
    • Safety glasses
    • Sunscreen
    • Insect repellant
    • A light rain poncho, or rain jacket and pants
    • Water: You must bring at least one water bottle with you every day.
    • Pens/Pencils
    • Trowel (optional)

 

Eligibility and prerequisites

Eligibility

  • Enrollment in ANT306H5 is by department approval only, and the department will enroll you into the course if your application is approved. If you wish to request approval to enroll, you must submit the application form by the deadline date (see application and enrolment process, below).
    • Note: Approval will be based on number of credits completed, area of concentration, academic standing, course background and/or previous courses.
  • This field school course is only open to University of Toronto students. First priority will be given to UTM students. Enrolment is limited.

Prerequisites

  • ANT205H5  Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

 

Application and enrolment process

Step 1:

The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 11:59pm.

Request departmental approval to enrol in the course by submitting this application form (when open):

Submit the application form 

Step 2:

Check your @mail.utoronto.ca email account for the results of your application (emails are usually sent towards the end of April or early May). If you receive departmental approval to enrol in this course, you must complete step 3 below in order to complete your enrolment.

Step 3:

After you confirm that you wish to enrol in the course (via email), the department will enrol you in the course via ROSI/ACORN (when enrolment is open). An ancillary fee will be payable via the Office of the Registrar after you are enrolled in the course by the Department of Anthropology.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions please contact the Departmental Assistant at secretary.utmanthro@utoronto.ca.