Services
Human Remains Recovery and Identification
Alecto Forensics Services Ltd. is now fully integrated into Forensic Access Limited, bringing all our specialist teams under one company strengthens our ability to invest in quality and support.
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.
Human Remains Recovery and Identification services
Forensic Access provides independent expert evaluation and witness services across all stages of human remains recovery and identification. Our forensic anthropologists and archaeologists are instructed in cases where the recovery, examination or identification of human remains is central to an investigation or subject to later legal scrutiny.
Working alongside police and military Disaster Victim Identification teams at scene and in mortuary settings, our experts support investigations through the recovery, examination and interpretation of human remains, including:
Locating, mapping and recovering disrupted, dispersed or burnt human remains
Recording and reconstructing body positions in collapsed buildings, fatal fire scenes and burnt-out vehicles
Recording and excavating clandestine and mass graves using forensic archaeological techniques
Supporting planned searches and the investigation of locations where unburied or buried remains have been discovered
Assisting with triage and fast-track identification of body parts and fragmented remains
Supporting police DVI teams with completion of Interpol documentation where specialist input is required
Assisting with workflow setup in temporary or emergency mortuaries
Identification of burnt, decomposed or fragmented remains
Interpretation of post-mortem CT scans
Selection and collection of DNA samples, particularly where remains are fragmented, decomposed or thermally altered
Contribution to body part reconciliation and identification reports
Deployment to cold case reviews, fatal fire scenes, clandestine grave sites and construction or development sites where remains are uncovered
All work is undertaken using robust, defensible methods to ensure findings are clearly documented and suitable for use in legal proceedings.
- Bone Identification (Bone ID)
- Forensic Archaeology
- Forensic Anthropology
- Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)
- Entomology (Insects)
- Diatomology (Diatoms)
- Palynology (Pollen)
- Pedology (Soil)
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.
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.
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, population affinity, 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.
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.
Entomology (Insects)
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 (Diatoms)
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.
Palynology (Pollen)
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.
Pedology (Soil)
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.
How We Support Your Case
Our dedicated Casework Managers are a valuable resource for legal professionals, providing a single point of contact to manage all expert-related communication and administration throughout the life of a case.
Working closely with our network of independent human remains recovery and identification specialists, they oversee instructions from initial enquiry through to delivery of the expert report, ensuring cases are progressed efficiently, proportionately and with appropriate awareness of court requirements.
Why work with Forensic Access
Trusted network of archaeologists, anthropologists and related specialists
Quality checks to ensure reports address the instruction
Quotes obtained from independent experts in line with LAA requirements
Dedicated casework management from instruction to court
Maintain high standards of quality across every instruction
Do you need human remains recovery or identification expertise for your case?
Whether you are reviewing recovery records, interpreting complex findings or seeking independent expert opinion, we are here to help.
What Our Customers Say
“Thank you for your work in relation to the joint report, the whole team is very grateful. Thank you so much for your help and please pass on our thanks to your firearms expert.”
"I am consistently impressed by the quality of expert reports I receive through Forensic Access. Whether in toxicology, psychiatric reports or traffic reconstruction, the level of experience of the experts is consistently strong. We can be confident in their ability to give evidence in court if / when required."
"Forensic Access provided an excellent service with regards to our enquiry, which was impressive and very appreciated. The casework manager for our case was very professional and courteous."
"I have used Forensic Access for many years, instructing a wide range of experts. Every person I have dealt with has been helpful, friendly, and kind. I am impressed by the quality of the experts."
"The Forensic Access experts we have instructed have been extremely knowledgeable, informative, easy to work with and able to explain complex topics in straightforward language that the court and juries are able to understand. We have no hesitation in using the same experts for future cases."
"I consistently receive helpful same day responses, which is invaluable because it allows me to know exactly where I stand. The fact that they usually have multiple experts available, allowing me to obtain two quotes for legal aid applications, is also extremely helpful."
Let's talk
*Please note that we can only take instruction via a Barrister or Solicitor, we do not take instruction directly from private individuals.
We are always interested in talking to experienced forensic scientists with a minimum of 5 years of forensic science work who are interested in working as Consultants to undertake ad-hoc work for us.
Call us
01235 774870
Email us
science@forensic-access.co.uk