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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Perform forensic anthropology examinations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243254  Perform forensic anthropology examinations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forensic Science 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will enable learners to have an understanding as to how forensic anthropology assists in assessing and identifying human remains. Learners will be able to assess and identify different skeletonised remains of individuals who died in mass disasters, wars, or due to homicides, suicides, or accidents. They will also be able to assess and identify the exhumed skeletonised remains of individuals and the remains of individuals found in mass graves. This unit standard will provide learners with knowledge about forensic anthropology principles used for identification purposes.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain principles of osteology which relate to forensic anthropology examinations.
  • Conduct the exhumation of human skeletal remains within a given incident scene.
  • Estimate time since death.
  • Explain the identification processes of skeletal remains. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The unit standard:
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy, patho-physiology and trauma pathology at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • For purposes of this unit standard the term: "skeletal bones" refer to only human skeletal bones.
  • In this unit standard given incident scene may refer to but is not limited to a structured scenario, a case study and a virtual presentation. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain principles of osteology which relate to forensic anthropology examinations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The placement and articulations of skeletal bones are explained in the context of forensic anthropology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Skeletal bones include but are not limited to: skull, vertebral column, rib cage, pelvis, upper and lower limbs and hyoid.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The anatomical position, direction and planes of skeletal remains are described in the context of forensic anthropology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The description should include reference to the anatomical position, direction and planes of superior (cranial), inferior (caudal), medial, lateral, anterior (ventral), posterior (dorsal), proximal and distal).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The normal structure of the skull is explained in the context of forensic anthropology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The structure of the skull refers to the bones, sutures, landmarks and sinuses.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Conduct the exhumation of human skeletal remains within a given incident scene. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Exhumation in this context will also include other means of recovery or retrieval of skeletal remains such as recovery in dam, river or concrete. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Methods used for locating human remains are explained in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The location of skeletal remains is mapped for forensic investigation purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mapped refer to but is not limited to use of markers, sketches and photography.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Skeletal remains are recovered for the purposes of forensic investigation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The collected remains are handled according to forensic quality assurance principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Handling refers to packaging, storing and transporting.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The modification of recovery procedures in specific cases of mass disasters are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Recovered skeletal remains are assessed to determine the evidential value thereof. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Estimate time since death. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of forensic taphonomy are explained in the context of post mortem interval determination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The processes of decomposition are explained order to determine the effect on skeletal remains. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The process from decomposition to skeletonisation is evaluated in order to establish the approximate time since death. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Insect activity and animal scavenging are described in order to understand their effect on the body and skeletal remains. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain the identification processes of skeletal remains. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of facial reconstruction are explained in terms of their uses in forensic anthropology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of handedness is explained in terms of its uses in forensic anthropology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Handedness refers to right and left handedness.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The body weight of a deceased is estimated in a given incident scene. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The comparative value of antemortem records is explained in terms of the identification of remains. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The principles of forensic odontology are explained in terms of their uses in forensic anthropology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The demographic characteristics of the bone tissue is evaluated in order to determine the possible cause of death in a given incident scene. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The demographic characteristics of the bone tissue refer to determining the age, gender, ethnicity, stature from examination of the bones (skull, long bones and pelvis).
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.

    Assessor must be competent in the outcomes of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Relevant sections of the following Acts:

    > The Human Tissue Act 65 of 1983.
    > The National Health Act 61 of 2003.
    > The Inquests Act 58 of 1959.
    > The Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992.
    > The Health Professions Act 56 of 1974.
    > The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
    > The Occupational Health And Safety Act 85 of1993.
  • Identification process of human remains.

    > Post mortem examination procedures.
    > Imaging techniques for forensic purposes.
    > Use microscopic analysis in order to determine if bone.
    > Identification methods such as using distinctions in maturity and architecture (shape) of bones to determine if they are human.
    > Contemporary (forensic) and noncontemporary (archeological) categories.
    > Distinguishing methods: using state of preservation, body modification, personal belongings and conditions of interment).
    > Degradation effects in different climatic and environmental conditions and effects on decomposition and clothing.
    > Digital superimposition.
    > Reconstruction of facial appearance from skull, computer graphic.
    > The stature of the deceased is determined using available anthropologic equipment and measurement formulae.
    > Bony injuries: mechanisms of injuries and possible causes of death.
    > Injuries: blunt, sharp, projectile, heat, biological and chemical trauma). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team when assessing skeletal remains in a forensic investigative environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self Management in that the learner is responsible for organising and managing him/herself in the collection and preservation of data. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organize and critically evaluate information related to skeletal remains analysis for identification purposes. analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with others about issues of forensic anthropology related to the investigation of incident scenes and possible future judicial processes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology in the collection and analysis of forensic evidence. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of related systems in that, when they are problem solving at a scene of death, their actions may affect the outcome of the investigation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  57977   National Certificate: Forensic Biology  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.