Master of Forensic Anthropology

• Ability to interpret post-mortem modifications to human remains (forensic taphonomy).
•  Search and recovery of human remains using forensic archaeological protocols in a variety of depositional contexts (surface; sub-surface).
• Understanding of forensic practice as it relates to judicial requirements in Australia (specifically) and internationally (broadly).
• Ability to prepare and present professional reports for the judiciary.
• Ability to analyse physical human remains (skeletal and dental materials).

Current UWA students are eligible to take one of our professional experience units. These units bridge the gap between university and the workplace by providing opportunities to gain hands-on, practical experience. You can master new skills, make connections and network, get a taste of the opportunities in the workforce and add experience to your resume, all before graduating.

Find out more about Work Integrated Learning.

• To achieve necessary knowledge and training towards employment in mainstream forensics 
• To gain the ability to prepare and present professional reports for the judiciary 
• Learn how specialised forensic practitioners work collaboratively in response to criminal and other activity (e.g. homicide; genocide; DVI; terrorism) 

• specialise in a particular area of interest, gaining practical experience in an independent scientific study through the completion of a project of direct relevance to forensic anthropology 
• participate in moot practical excavations focusing on the recovery of forensic evidence of past human activities 
• work in a laboratory environment specifically designed to accommodate forensic anthropological requirements for professional practice 
• explore the margins of forensic anthropology through an independent literature-based and professional research project 

"I have always been interested in forensics, and after completing my study in Forensic Medicine in Indonesia, I saw that Forensic Anthropology is a discipline that is underexplored, particularly in the eastern part of Indonesia, although the case demand is high. Therefore, I chose to study further about Forensic Anthropology to improve my knowledge and skills, as well as keep myself updated with recent methods and techniques. I expect that I can apply my study to provide better forensic medical services for my country.

I really enjoy the practical lab sessions, as they allow us to apply our knowledge in real practice. Attending lectures is undoubtedly useful, but hands-on sessions are where I learned so much, especially as the teaching staff are very knowledgeable, supportive, and the lab facilities are excellent.

I have always wanted to work for human rights and humanitarian purposes, and this is one of many reasons why I chose forensics. I hope that I will be able to work in an independent forensic facility (which is not available yet in my country). I would also like to return to academia as a lecturer because teaching is also one of my passions."

This course is part of an articulated sequence with the:

• Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology
• Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology

The Centre for Forensic Anthropology is committed to the development of a new generation of morphometric tools and standards for application in forensic identification in Western Australia. A requirement in routine casework involving unidentified skeletal remains is the formulation of an accurate biological profile.

Choice of method is invariably related to skeletal preservation and by association the bones available. It is vital however that the method applied affords statistical quantification of accuracy rates and predictive confidence, so that evidentiary requirements for legal submission are met. Achieving the latter requires the application of contemporary population-specific standards.

Our research group is working towards developing these standards through the integration of morphological computer-based (geometric morphometric) analytical approaches and multivariate isotopic and elemental chemical methods for the identification of unknown human remains. The Anthropology research group is keen to develop a ‘Human Identification Package’ (HIP) for specific application within forensic casework and Disaster Victim Identification (DVI).

The group welcomes international and interdisciplinary collaborations of value to the fields of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. Follow us on Facebook.

Interested in forensic anthropology? Find out how forensic investigators solve crimes.