Bi6998 Seminar in Forensic Anthropology and Selected Expertise

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Petra Urbanová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
RNDr. Hana Eliášová, Ph.D. (lecturer), prof. RNDr. Petra Urbanová, Ph.D. (deputy)
prof. Ing. Martin Drahanský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Petra Urbanová, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Petra Urbanová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 17. 2. to Sat 24. 5. Thu 11:00–12:50 Bp1,01007
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The seminar aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge in forensic sciences, particularly forensic anthropology, covering topics such as hair analysis, biometrics, and fingerprinting. Through lectures and discussions, it will offer an up-to-date overview of cutting-edge research in key areas, including advanced documentation of forensic scenes, automation of forensic tasks, and virtual data processing. Additionally, the seminar will address methodological challenges, such as the human factor, and explore the application of scientific research in forensic casework both domestically and internationally.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to navigate the scientific subdisciplines related to forensic casework (e.g., hair analysis, biometrics, fingerprinting, and others). They should be capable of discussing these issues and also be familiar with advanced topics such as forensic scene documentation, task automation, and the effects of the human factor.
Syllabus
  • Current trends in forensic scene documentation, presentation and interpretation, maps, GIS, spatial analysis, robotics
  • Current trends in forensic osteology – PMI, automation of forensic tasks using artificial intelligence (gender determination, age estimation)
  • Forensic odontology – state-of-the-art procedures
  • Craniofacial analysis and reconstruction – manual techniques, methodological limits, automation
  • Forensic hair analysis I
  • Forensic hair analysis II
  • Digital data, imagery, image processing – the line between editing and manipulation
  • Identification of individuals vs. biometrics – automation based on artificial intelligence
  • Identification of individuals in forensic and humanitarian contexts
  • The human factor in forensic casework
  • 2D/3D fingerprinting
  • Virtual forensic traumatology
  • Ballistics and gunshot injuries
Literature
  • Forensic taphonomy :the postmortem fate of human remains. Edited by William D. Haglund - Marcella H. Sorg. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1996, xxvii, 636. ISBN 0-8493-9434-1. info
Teaching methods
Theoretical training through lectures and discussions, complemented by tasks and casework demonstrations.
Assessment methods
Presentation and casework report (25% of the final grade). Critical review and presentation of a published article (25% of the final grade). Practical assignment - execution and presentation (50% of the final grade).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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