Forensic Archaeology and New Multidisciplinary Approaches : Topics Discussed During the 2018-2023 European Meetings on Forensic Archaeology (EMFA)

This book presents the latest research and developments in forensic archaeology, as discussed at the European Meetings on Forensic Archaeology (EMFA) from 2018 to 2023. It captures the dynamic and multidisciplinary nature of the field, highlighting the challenges and innovations that have emerged over the last five years.

Divided into three main parts, the book addresses critical aspects of forensic archaeology and its diverse applications. Part I on Forensic Archaeology from the Crime Scene explores cutting-edge methodologies and their application in various forensic contexts. Part II focuses on Forensic Anthropology and Humanitarian Investigations, presenting the study of human remains and the application of forensic archaeology in humanitarian contexts. The final part addresses Heritage Crimes and the role of forensic archaeology in investigating and preventing the illegal trade in artifacts and the destruction of cultural heritage sites.

Contributions from both EMFA presenters and external experts provide a rich tapestry of theoretical advances and practical applications.

This new volume is essential for forensic archaeologists, forensic scientists, law enforcement professionals, and scholars interested in the intersection of archaeology and forensic science. It serves as an important resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of forensic investigations.

Pier Matteo Barone is an accredited criminalist, professor and consultant in Forensic Science, expert in Forensic Geo-Archaeology with a focus on geophysical prospecting (GPR, in particular), remote sensing, GIS and archaeology applied to crime scene investigations, missing persons and heritage crimes collaborating with several universities (such as CURML Lausanne in Switzerland, Nottingham Trent University in UK, American University of Rome, University of Roma Tre in Italy), institutes (INPEF in Italy, International Red Cross Committee-Switzerland) and national and international police forces. He has been senior lecturer in Forensic Science and director of the Master of Forensic Science program at Nottingham Trent University. He is Chair of Forensic Archaeology and co-chair of the Scene of Crime Group (SoC WG) of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) and is appointed Crime Scene Adviser by the IUGS Initiative of Forensic Geology. Co-founder of Geoscienze Forensi Italia®-Forensic Geoscience Italy and member of ANCRIM (National Association of Criminologists and Criminalists) CIfA (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists) and Conpef (National Coordination of Forensic Experts). In 2017, 2018, and 2023 he won the Italian Investigation & Forensic Award for Excellence in Forensic Archaeology and Innovation Technology and is a member of the Management Council of the Italian Association of GPR. He is member of the International Response Team - Blake Emergency Archaeology and Anthropology Services. He has published more than one hundred books and articles in mainly international and peer-reviewed journals and is on the Editorial Board of several international journals.

Mike Groen is a certified forensic archaeologist and anthropologist employed by the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) and staff member at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC, location AMC), Department of Medical Biology. His practitioner experience covers approximately 20 years of searching for, recovering, and analyzing human remains from places of incident, crime scenes and conflict zones. He is Dutch DVI national point of contact for Forensic Anthropology and teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic archaeology and anthropology at several Dutch universities and is responsible for the forensic archaeology and anthropology module at the Dutch Police Academy. His past academic and professional experience relates to GIS modelling, field archaeology, human taphonomy and biological anthropology. He is responsible for the introduction of forensic archaeology in the Netherlands in 2005, for co-organizing the first EMFA in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2012 and for the creation of the Forensic Archaeology group within the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) in 2013. Since 2022 he is heading the Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology unit ant the NFI. His current research interest cover field recovery protocols, skeletal age estimation, GIS predictive modelling, human taphonomy and scene of crime science.