Archeology is the answer of the question of what happened in the past? We all have heard about archeologists and admire their contribution, but in recent times archeology is exploring in a new field i.e. FORENSIC ARCHEOLOGY. Study of human remains mostly buried is called forensic archeology. It is the combination of osteology and human remains with geological surveys to find evidences. Collecting evidential elements in forensic acceptable manner from crime scene and linking them to solve the cases is what forensic archeologist does. In all the cases where body is found in open are affected by natural process of decomposition and scavenging by animals and insects therefore forensic archeology is needed.

To solve a case there must be an army (army in which all the specialist of every field) are present because ONE MAN ARMY is not enough for justice therefore archeologist are called upon by investigating officer to be a part of investigating team in a particular case. Discipline of forensic archeology arose likely in 1970’s soon after the discipline of forensic anthropology. First of all forensic archeologist help the team to locate the sites where evidences can be present; weather in victim’s aspect or suspect’s aspect. This can be done by imagining, photography and geological surveys. Unnatural burial and natural burial can be differentiated by archeology, for example natural burial will occur when body is flooded over bank of river in this case skeleton will cover by sand and silt due to washing water and partial burial will take place where as in case of unnatural burial body will be buried deep and fully. Recording of all three events that are before the burial, during the burial and after the burial can be done by archeologist. Soil surrounding the evidence can tell about the time it has been to that particular evidence, by the state of cloth or decomposition of metals; time, gender can be specified. Events that had occurred before burial are of major use that can give a clue about what is happening at a scene that weather fight had happened, state of victim, gender of suspect and many more.post-depositional factors tells about movement, decomposition and alteration of evidences. Usually perpetrator tries to hide his/her involvement in crime by burring the evidences which shows any sort of link it may include various tools, weapon, personal object, piece of cloth etc. In medicolegal deaths huge investigation is required location of scene, flaura and fauna, type of soil, geological, graphological, environment factors; which can only be noted with the help of forensic archeology. Cases in which dead body is found covered by branches. Leaves, trees or in which dead body is found in jungle, forensic archeology is used. – Layer of materials are removed one *by one so that no stone left unturned during an investigation. Archeologist by video-graphing whole process of rescuing body collects the evidences (video is recorded for later use). With the help of analyzing the layers time of death can be estimated. In the cases like bomb blast, terror attack forensic archeologists play an important rule as they can record the traces and produce the evidences in support to war trials. They examine the scene so that articrafts can be recorded and recovered. Principles of archeology is highly followed in the cases where dead body is found in dumb yards because the decomposition level and presence of maggots can give clear idea about death and time it was thrown in the yard. If crime scene is recent, special emphasis should be made on turned soil, shoe print, tire mark, dragging mark and many more. Collecting and recoding of the evidences should be done slowly, patiently because recording at every depth is important each and every layer has its importance. Forensic archeology tells about how evidence degrade or how scene is decomposed. Some locations and recoveries require special skills, yet there is always a need to ensure that the maximum amount of information is extracted. Forensic archeology is familiar with difficult situations, such as coastal marshes, deep trenches, and wells. Archeology also teaches how to make an evidence report by tracing crime scene. Proper documentation of climate, temperature, humidity of scene at a time of discovery is important step of archeology. Documentation would normally include production sketch, measure plans, context sheets, written notes followed by photography. Difference in location can also be noted by difference in soil grain, difference in plant growth, difference is soil compaction. Forensic archeology tells and works on different factors like decay rates of soft tissue like skin and muscle, number of plant, type of plant, temperature and humidity.

Beside, collecting of evidences archeology also teaches to re-create crime scene by result of interaction of people and place, and keeping geological factors in mind so that age of crime scene can be calculated. Cite formation can be result of unintentional left over print. Forensic archeology is admissible in the court and archeologist is called to give expert witness and present his/ her report, report should be clear and easy to understand by the layperson, report should be in proper format with all the recordings, terminologies should be with non-technical information. He is responsible for ‘how’ and ‘why’ type of questions in court moreover they tell the court that where body is found and where it came from because it is not necessary that both the places will be same. It has well-convinced research or surveys method. Archeology follows safety, ensures of archeologist and crime scene management strategies. Four major task in which forensic archeologist are required are evidence searches, evidence recovery, evidence recording and scene and evidence interpretation.

REFRENCES:

Dirkmaat, D., & Cabo, L. (2016). Forensic Archaeology and Forensic Taphonomy: Basic Considerations on how to Properly Process and Interpret the Outdoor Forensic Scene. Academic Forensic Pathology, 6(3), 439-454. doi: 10.23907/2016.045

Hunter, J., & Cox, M. (2005). Forensic archaeology (pp. 1-18). Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

An Introduction to Forensic Science. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2020, from https://www.fss.org.uk/index.html

Forensic Archaeology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2020, from http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/forensic-archaeology.html

power, N., & Sibun, l. (2014). Standard and guidance for forensic archaeologists. Retrieved 3 October 2020, from https://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/CIfAS&GForensics_2.pdf