Forensic Archaeology Special Interest Group

Background

The group aims to promote best practice in forensic archaeology work with other bodies and individuals (including Her Majesty’s Government and the Forensic Science Regulator) to ensure that appropriate standards and guidance for forensic archaeology are adopted, maintained and enforced establish an operative working group of forensic archaeologists practicing as expert witnesses (see below) advise IfA Council and its committees on issues relating to forensic archaeology where possible, disseminate information relating to forensic archaeology, and facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between practitioners and bodies both within the UK and internationally.

The group has developed a Standard and Guidance document for Forensic Archaeology.

The adoption of this Standard was approved by IfA Council in October 2011.

The expert panel

A unique feature of the group, is that it has a sub-group expert panel of forensic practitioners. This sub-group has a closed membership, due to the nature of the work, and is only open to practicing forensic archaeologists. It is chaired by Rob Janaway. The aims of the expert panel are to consider (and if appropriate take steps to implement) mechanisms for accrediting and/or regulating the work of those acting or seeking to act as expert witnesses to consider and discuss issues arising in the course of such work to liaise with Her Majesty’s Government, the Forensic Science Regulator and any other relevant bodes or individuals with regard to such issues.

Join the Group

Membership of the Forensic Archaeology Special Interest (FASIG) Group is open to IfA members free of charge and to non-IfA members for an annual subscription of £10. Anyone wishing to join the group should contact groups@archaeologists.net.

Membership of the Forensic Archaeology Expert Panel (FAEP) is closed due to the nature of its work. Criteria for membership is that you must be actively working in Forensic Archaeology; must be a corporate member of the IfA usually at MIfA level, and have applied to the validation committee for membership based on your forensic archaeological work; and have been proposed and seconded by current members of the FAEP. If you wish to join the panel, and think you are suitable to do so, email groups@archaeologists.net and your details will be passed to the panel.

The Committee

The current committee were elected at the group’s AGM on 19th April 2012.

Rob Janaway (Chair)
Barrie Simpson (Secretary)
Caroline Sturdy-Colls (Treasurer)
Andy Holland
John Hunter
Paul Cheetham
Caroline Sims
Peter Masters

Workshops

Forensic Archaeology and Shallow Sub‐Surface Geophysics workshop

Wednesday 20 March 2013

To be held between 1300 to 1715 at Staffordshire University, Stoke Campus, Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke‐on‐Trent,Staffordshire ST4 2DF in Room R002 Lecture Theatre.

For more details please click here

Meetings and Events

A special European Forensic Archaeology meeting held jointly between the IfA FAEP and the Netherlands Forensic Institute took place in the Hague on Wednesday 22nd August 2012.

www.forensicinstitute.nl

PDF of European Forensic Archaeology meeting

During 2012/13 there will be three meetings in the UK Autumn, Early Spring (TBC) and a meeting + AGM during the IfA conference in April 2013