Human Remains Recovery and Identification

Expert Support Across Complex and Sensitive Investigations

Our Human Identification Recovery team brings together experienced forensic archaeologists and anthropologists who play a critical role in the identification and recovery of human remains from a broad spectrum of diverse and challenging cases.

The department supports a wide range of case types including homicide, suicide, unexplained deaths, mass fatality incidents, cold case reviews, and cases of abuse or neglect.

Whether working in the mortuary, laboratory, at crime scenes, or mass fatality incidents, the team provides expert-led advice and practical support to assist police investigations and legal processes. Through a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach, our forensic archaeologists and anthropologists ensure the accurate recovery and interpretation of evidence so that critical information is preserved and presented for judicial processes. We also work with a network of consultants specialised in environmental sciences including entomology (insects), botany, pollen and diatoms analysis, and soil science.

Bone Identification (Bone ID)

Our Bone ID service helps law enforcement quickly determine whether recovered material is bone, whether it’s human or animal, and whether it’s recent or historic. This is essential in prioritising investigations and avoiding unnecessary forensic work.

Used in cases involving surface finds, fires, partial remains, or construction site discoveries, our forensic anthropologists provide rapid expert opinion and can assist both at the scene and in the lab.

To make an enquiry or submit material email: boneID@alectoforensics.com

Forensic Archaeology

Our Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) accredited forensic archaeologists lead the location, excavation, and recovery of buried remains and associated evidence across a wide variety of scenes. They are routinely consulted on or deployed to:

• Cold Case Reviews
• Planned searches
• Clandestine grave sites
• Fatal fire scenes
• Locations where unburied remains have been discovered
• Building sites and other locations where buried remains have been uncovered

Using archaeological methods including meticulous stratigraphic excavation, surveying, and photogrammetry, they ensure that each item of evidence is properly documented and contextualised. These techniques are essential in interpreting the sequence of events at a scene and can provide insight into the circumstances surrounding the disposal of remains. Our archaeologists can also assist in determining whether remains are ancient or modern both by analysis of the burial environment and advice on radiocarbon dating. Within the team we have an expert in isotope analysis and interpretation of radiocarbon dating results, which means that we can provide an accurate and rapid streamlined service for establishing the date of remains and even the birth-year of the deceased.

Working closely with forensic anthropologists and other forensic specialists, the archaeologists contribute to a fully integrated recovery strategy, offering expert advice on scene processing, search strategy, and evidence integrity.

Forensic Anthropology

Our Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) certified forensic anthropologists (Levels I–III) analyse human remains in a range of conditions including skeletonised, decomposed, burnt, or fragmented states. They contribute to the identification of the deceased and provide insight into cause and manner of death.

At scenes, mortuaries and in the laboratory our forensic anthropologists can:

• Distinguish human from non-human bone
• Estimate biological profiles (age, sex, stature, ancestry, and other identifying features)
• Identify and interpret signs of skeletal trauma and disease, and provide opinion on when damage or injuries may have occurred
• Analyse antemortem and postmortem imagery such as radiographs, CT scans and micro-CT scans
• Estimate age in the living and identify indicators of physiological stress
• Identify and interpret thermal (fire) damage to remains and other human modifications such as dismemberment
• Assess whether remains are recent or historic

They also produce court-ready reports and expert witness statements following their examinations.

Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)

In the wake of disasters involving multiple fatalities, our team provides specialist support across the scene recovery, postmortem examination, and reconciliation phases of Disaster Victim Identification operations. Our experts, trained for both domestic and international deployments, have extensive experience in the recovery and identification of human remains from mass fatality incidents, and have assisted in responses to war crimes, terrorist incidents, aviation crashes, military casualties, and natural disasters.

Working together with police and military DVI teams at the scene, our forensic anthropologists and archaeologists:

• Locate, map and recover disrupted, dispersed or burnt remains
• Assist police DVI teams in the completion of Interpol documentation where specialist input is required
• Record and reconstruct body positions in collapsed buildings or burnt-out vehicles
• Record and excavate mass graves using a range of forensic archaeological and related techniques
• Assist with conducting triage and fast track identification of smaller body parts and fragments

In mortuary settings, anthropologists assist with:

• Workflow setup in temporary mortuaries
• Identification of burnt and / or fragmented remains
• Interpretation of post-mortem CT scans
• Selection and collection of DNA samples, particularly in remains that are decomposed, fragmented or burnt
• Contribute to body part reconciliation and ID reports

• Produce individual victim summary reports

Our Scientific Advisor is the UK DVI forensic anthropology and archaeology lead and represents the UK in the Interpol DVI pathology and anthropology sub-working group. We also support pre-incident planning, helping authorities develop DVI resilience plans and delivering specialist training in victim recovery and identification processes.

Forensic Entomology

In cases involving decomposed remains (or even the recently deceased), our forensic entomologists can estimate post-mortem interval (PMI) by analysing insect species and life cycles. This is particularly valuable in cases where the time of death is unclear, and entomology may support or challenge witness accounts. It can also assist in cases of abuse and neglect in living and deceased people and animals.

Diatomology

In drowning cases, the presence of microscopic diatoms in the lungs and internal organs can help establish whether the individual drowned or if the body was placed in water post-mortem. Comparative analysis of diatoms can also assist in determining the location of drowning and, if this differs from where the deceased was found, establishing the site of drowning. Our diatoms experts assist in confirming the cause of death by guiding correct sample collection, analysis and interpretation procedures.

Forensic Palynology

Palynology, the analysis of pollen and spores, can help determine whether a person or object has been present in a specific location. This is particularly helpful in linking suspects to crime scenes, verifying alibis, or tracing movement between environments. Palynology can also assist in determining seasonality of burial if pollen is found within layers of clothing, wrappings, or on the deceased themselves. Palynology is often used alongside soil comparison and botanical surveys for stronger evidential conclusions.

Soil Analysis

Soil analysis can be critical in identifying links between people, vehicles, items and crime scenes. Our forensic geologists analyse soil traces from clothing, footwear, items such as spades, and vehicles, comparing them to a crime scene and other known locations to assess possible associations. In missing persons or burial cases, soil composition may also provide insight into potential deposition sites.

Soil comparisons can be supplemented with analysis of pollen, plant fragments, and manmade inclusions to enhance the evidential value.

Integrated Forensic Ecology Services

Our human identification recovery specialists regularly work in close collaboration with other experts to provide a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary forensic ecology service tailored to the needs of each investigation.

To speak with a member of our team about how we can assist in your case: call: 01235 774870 or complete our online contact form.