A First World War example of forensic archaeology. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martin, Victoria
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 314(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: First World War -- Grave concentration -- Forensic archaeology -- Exhumation -- Ground search; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110394
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: An early example of Forensic Archaeology was seen in Europe at the end of the First World War. Over 200, 000 British and Commonwealth graves were exhumed and moved into new cemeteries, in a process called "concentration". Guidelines issued in 1919 showed an awareness of the impact of decomposition on the environment. Processes for ground search and body exhumation are similar to those used in modern day. Abstract: Between 1919 and 1921, the First World War battlefields of France and Belgium were searched by the British Army for the single graves and small cemeteries containing the bodies of British and Commonwealth soldiers. This process was called "concentration". When found, these graves were exhumed, the bodies within were examined to try and establish or confirm identification, and were subsequently reburied in newly built. Imperial War Grave Commission cemeteries. This task was carried out by military staff working for the Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries. They had no forensic or medical experience and yet in less than three years they moved hundreds of thousands of graves, on a scale never seen before or since. Written records were issued for the soldiers working on exhumation in 1919 giving detailed instructions on how to search for buried or unburied individuals, the method to follow for excavating these graves and directions for the examination of bodies. These instructions are very similar to those used in modern forensic archaeology when excavating single or mass graves, or when dealing with multiple bodies following mass disasters. They show an awareness of the effects of human burials on the surrounding environment and address search and excavation problems that are still experienced. The example given here in France and Belgium is one of the earliest examples of Forensic Archaeology for humanitarian purposes, and the instructions issued are probably the earliest written instructions for a Forensic Archaeological excavation.