Ethical Approaches to Human Remains - by Kirsty Squires & David Errickson & Nicholas Márquez-Grant (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Combines international perspectives on the current ethical considerations and challenges facing bioarchaeologists in the recovery, analysis, curation, and display of human remains
The first up-to-date book to focus on the ethics in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology in the last 12 years
The only book that deals with the current state of play with regard to international ethical considerations
Provides new perspectives on ethical issues and new in-depth case studies from around the world

From the Back Cover

This book is the first of its kind, combining international perspectives on the current ethical considerations and challenges facing bioarchaeologists in the recovery, analysis, curation, and display of human remains. It explores how museum curators, commercial practitioners, forensic anthropologists, and bioarchaeologists deal with ethical issues pertaining to human remains in traditional and digital settings around the world.

The book not only raises key ethical questions concerning the study, display, and curation of skeletal remains that bioarchaeologists must face and overcome in different countries, but also explores how this global community can work together to increase awareness of similar and, indeed, disparate ethical considerations around the world and how they can be addressed in working practices.
The key aspects addressed include ethics in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology, the excavation, curation, and display of human remains, repatriation, and new imaging techniques. As such, the book offers an ideal guide for students and practitioners in the fields of bioarchaeology, osteoarchaeology, forensic anthropology, medical anthropology, archaeology, anatomy, museum and archive studies, and philosophy, detailing how some ethical dilemmas have been addressed and which future dilemmas need to be considered.

Review Quotes

"The highlight of this book is that each chapter offers a unique perspective on a specific subject about human remains. ... The volume presents a current perspective on ethical challenges faced by specialists and practitioners ... . The various topic raised, and the recommendations provided by the authors are expected to be significant in improving practices. Ultimately, this manuscript serves as a reminder for anthropologists and other practitioners to not neglect their ethical responsibility towards human remains and descendant communities." (Yassmine Ghalem, anthrobookforum.americananthro.org, April 4, 2022)

About the Author

Kirsty Squires is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Anthropology and MSc Forensic Science award leader at Staffordshire University. Kirsty's primary research interests lie in the analysis and interpretation of burned skeletal remains from archaeological and forensic contexts, early medieval funerary archaeology, the archaeology of childhood, and ethical considerations within osteoarchaeology and forensic anthropology. She has over 10 years of experience in the excavation and analysis of human skeletal remains. Kirsty is the Outreach Officer for the Society for the Study of Childhood in the Past and a Research Associate of the Observatory for the Mummified Heritage of Sicily, Santa Lucia del Mela. David Errickson is a Lecturer in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University, UK. David has a research focus on 3D technology and its use in quantitative analysis, learning, and teaching. David has a passion for ethical discussion and is a co-creator of the ethical forum on digital osteology; a discussion group on ethical considerations with regards to human remains. Likewise, David has co-edited the new British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology ethical guidance on the use of 2D and 3D images pertaining to human remains. Finally, David has co-authored a chapter with Dr. Nicholas Márquez-Grant on ethical considerations with regards to 3D imaging. Nicholas Márquez-Grant is a Senior Lecturer and the MSc Course Director in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University, UK. He is also a Research Affiliate at the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford, UK. He has over 20 years of experience in the excavation and analysis of human remains from a variety of archaeological contexts and is increasingly working on ethical aspects in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. As aforensic practitioner, he has acted in the UK as an expert witness in Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology.