Preface

This book is the second publication by the British Association for Human Identification (BAHID). The primary aim of the association is to encourage productive interchange between various disciplines in human identification, promote the academic integration of individual subjects and, through the medium of a collective body, pursue standards of excellence and innovative developments. The membership includes, but is not limited to, professionals in the fields of policing, anthropology, odontology, archaeology, facial anthropology, podiatry, pathology and disaster victim identification. Having been in existence for over a decade, the association now boasts over 500 members from academia, law enforcement and private business, as well as those with institutional and legal backgrounds. Although entitled the British Association, there are members outside the United Kingdom from elsewhere in Europe, the United States and Australia. Forensic human identification is receiving increased global attention, and an accurate and honest representation of the current methods and modalities that have shaped our current policies and protocols is essential. Consequently, this text was developed in response to the recognised need for suitable and appropriate information that can provide information for practitioners, policymakers and students of this subject by raising awareness of the available technologies and developing themes.