BSc Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology is the analysis of human remains for medical and legal purposes. This includes establishing identity, investigating suspicious deaths, and identifying victims of mass disasters. All these are critical to the successful outcome of legal investigations. This 4-year BSc Forensic Anthropology course from the University of Dundee is known for its first-class forensic science programme and is ahead of other institutions in incorporating Thiel embalming in their curriculum.

Students will learn full-body dissection on Thiel-embalmed cadavers provided by the department. These cadavers maintain the fascial layers between structures. They are flexible and keep their lifelike colour and consistency. This benefits students learning to become forensic practitioners. The identification of the deceased relies not only on hard tissue like the skeleton but also on soft tissue information.

During the first two years, students will study modules within the School of Life Sciences. This gives students a solid understanding of physiology, biochemistry, and related biomedical sciences. As the degree progresses, students will develop a sound knowledge of the human body from the early stages of development to the adult form and focus on skeletal anatomy and learn how the analysis of the skeleton fits within a medicolegal investigation