Anatomy & Advanced Forensic Anthropology MSc

Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body. It deals with the relationship of organs and tissues at a gross (whole organ) and microscopic (histological) level.

Forensic anthropology is the analysis of human remains. This is done for the medico-legal purpose of establishing identity. It plays a key role in UK and international investigations in cases of inter-personal violence and homicide, repatriation, mass disasters, and war crimes.

There are many reasons why you should study at the University of Dundee.

• We’re 1st in the UK for Forensic Science (Complete University Guide, 2023)
• Many of our expert staff are forensic practitioners
• We were the first UK university to use the Thiel embalming system in our teaching. We are now considered the UK’s leading Thiel facility. - our technicians have been consulted by a variety of anatomical institutions across the world.
• You’ll have access to our Scheuer and osteology skeletal collections. These will help you learn how each bone in the body forms and develops

You will learn how forensic anthropology contributes to the analysis and interpretation of human remains. You’ll gain the skills needed to interpret juvenile skeletal remains. You will also learn how to produce, and present forensic skeletal reports. You will also learn how these reports are used in the legal process.

You will also gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of gross anatomy. This will be done through full body dissection of Thiel embalmed cadavers. These cadavers are soft-fix. This means they retain real-to-life qualities, including realistic colour, tissue quality, and flexibility.