Browsing by Author "Harris, Michael"

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    Analysing open-source images in forensic anthropology
    (Asociación Española de Antropología y Odontología Forense, 2023-07-31) Cobham, L.; Harris, Michael; Marquez-Grant, Nicholas
    Forensic scientists, including forensic anthropologists, are increasingly being called on to comment on images depicting human remains taken from public domains. The current unprecedented scale of digital material available online and on social media regarding the conflict in Ukraine and previously in Syria, and the various logistical difficulties for verifying alleged human rights abuses and crimes that may have occurred there, suggest the need for further knowledge and understanding of the utility of open-source images in the field of forensic anthropology. This study surveyed 10 conflict-related open-source images among professionals with varying backgrounds in forensic anthropology to assess their usefulness for forensic anthropological investigative purposes. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The results revealed that most participants were able to provide diagnostic interpretations from open-source images and considered their analyses useful to varying degrees. Minimal differences were observed in comparing responses with experience and/or qualifications. The study revealed that a greater consideration must be given to the forensic analysis of open-source images, particularly given the increasing demand for forensic anthropological expertise and current technological developments.
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    Identifying blast trauma in the human skeleton: applications for forensic anthropology
    (Archaeopress, 2021-05-06) Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Webster, Hannah; Dussault, Marie-Christine; Harris, Michael; Roberts, Julie; Errickson, David; Sanabria Medina, César
    Trauma analysis is an integral part of the forensic anthropologist’s role in the study of skeletonized human remains. An increasingly common type of injury, however, remains vastly unexplored in the anthropological literature: blast injury. This chapter aims to provide more information on how blast injury can present in the human skeleton, offering the beginning of a guide for anthropologists looking to identify this type of trauma. The study was done by reviewing publications that detail trauma observed in victims of explosive incidents and extracting data on skeletal trauma from a forensic anthropology perspective by calculating the prevalence of these injuries. Overall, the effects of blast were noted to affect nearly every part of the skeleton when the data was reviewed in combination.
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    An investigation into the use of a vehicle for improvised blast mitigation
    (Institute of Explosives Engineers, 2022-03-31) Flynn, Daniel; Charters, Robert; Mangham, Patrick; Swallowe, Daniel; Tudor, Matthew; Harris, Michael; Painter, Jonathan
    The Problem. Improvised explosive devices (IED) and/or vehicle borne IEDs (VBIED) are a worldwide threat and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Once located, the immediate response of the local security personnel would be to evacuate the area whilst specialists are called in to deal with the device. However, there may be circumstances that mean that bystanders cannot be moved, such as through prior injury, and therefore there is a need to investigate methods of rapid improvised blast mitigation. One such option is a vehicle as it could be moved quickly into position. But as there are a wide variety of vehicle shapes and sizes, as well as the need to optimise the positioning for maximum mitigation effectiveness, Hertfordshire Constabulary approached Cranfield University to assist in studying the feasibility of this tactic. The project was allocated to a syndicate undertaking the Addressing EOE Capability Caps (AECG) Module of the Explosive Ordnance Engineering (EOE) MSc. The four-person syndicate consisted of both civilian and serving military personnel, two of whom were on the first phase of their Ammunition Technical Officers Course.