Latest news: A forensics world first

A unique scientific provenancing course offered by the University of East Anglia (UEA) will teach the latest techniques required to investigate everything from food fraud to war crimes. 08/02/2011

The new MSc in Forensic Archaeometry and Provenancing Studies is the first of its kind in the world and will have a strong ethical flavour. The one-year taught Masters course commences this September and is open now to applicants.

Students will receive highly specialised training in tracing the geographical origin of a vast array of materials including: human remains; counterfeit food; protected species; and cultural and archaeological artefacts.

Practical skills will be taught in UEA’s isotope and ‘ancient DNA’ laboratories and at a new field site dedicated to research on decomposition of mammal remains and excavation techniques.

The interdisciplinary course will call on UEA’s expertise in forensic chemistry, geochemistry, food science, archaeology, and genetics. It will be delivered collaboratively by the university’s schools of Chemistry, Enviromental Sciences, Medicine, and World Art Studies and Museology.

Graduates will have the skills to work in a wide range of specialist areas – including law enforcement, counter-terrorism, forensic science, archaeology, and academia.

'There is a worldwide demand for people with the kind of cutting edge scientific skills this degree will provide,” said Dr Jurian Hoogewerff, course director and a leading forensic geochemist based in UEA’s Faculty of Science.

'The course will have a strong ethical element and it is our hope that some students will go on to pursue important humanitarian work – supporting UN war crimes investigations for example, or helping trace the background of victims of bomb blasts and natural disasters.'

Applications are invited now for the MSc in Forensic Archaeometry and Provenancing Studies.

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