Cops, Coroners, Bodies And Bones: Anthropology and the B.C. Coroner’s Service
-Brenda Clark
The application of anthropology and archaeology to medico-legal death investigation has risen to prominence over the past 20 years. This presentation offers an overview of what happens in British Columbia when skeletal remains are found and enter the medico-legal system. What is the role of an anthropologist or archaeologist who doesn’t have psychic powers or a hologram machine like our television counterparts. Since all too often these remains are from an archaeological context, new initiatives by the BC Coroners Service regarding found human remains will be discussed.Brenda Clark has an M.A. from Memorial University and teaches anthropology at Camosun College. She has acted as a consultant to the BC Coroners Service on Vancouver Island for 10 years. Her interest in raising public awareness about archaeology in the province led to her co-editing Victoria Underfoot: Excavating a City’s Secrets. The book has been nominated for a Monday Magazine “M” Award for Favourite Non-fiction Book, so get online and vote at mondaymag.com.