Survey on the Scope of Taphonomy in Forensic Anthropology Case Reports

AAFS Disclaimer

AAFS is neither conducting nor endorsing this research/survey, but rather assisting the AAFS Student Affiliates in the recruitment of participants. Any questions regarding the participation request should be directed to the PIs listed below.  

You are invited to participate in a research study investigating the incorporation of taphonomy into forensic anthropological case reports and current pedagogical practices regarding taphonomy. This questionnaire is designed to be completed primarily by individuals who participate in forensic casework that results in the creation of an anthropological case report. Your responses are still welcomed if you do not currently participate in forensic casework or are not the sole author on forensic case reports from your agency/institution. Feedback from this research survey will be used to determine the extent of and specific aspects of taphonomy that are included in forensic anthropological case reports, record current taphonomy methods that are employed, and determine similarities in official reporting on taphonomy across the discipline. 

If you are 18 years of age or older and would like to participate in this research, please click the link below to access the survey. This survey is designed to take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, and all results are anonymous. Results are not recorded until the survey is submitted, and questions you do not wish to answer may be skipped. This research has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Office of Human Research Ethics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (study #22-1025). Results of this research will be disseminated in publications and at future annual professional meetings. 

Link to Survey​

Thank you for your time! 

Please feel free to contact the project PIs at the following email addresses should you have any questions or comments: 

Andrea Zurek-Ost: aost@live.unc.edu 
Paige Lynch: pal5154@unm.edu