The Assembly of a New Human Osteological Collection: The XXI CEIC as a Forensic Pedagogical Tool

Abstract

This technical note aims to characterize and contextualize the creation of a new collection of identified skeletons stored in the University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU. This project presents unique and innovative pedagogical opportunities, with students actively involved in the cleaning and processing of the bones and antemortem/postmortem information gathering, as well as in anthropology research projects. This XXI Century Identified Skeletal Collection is composed of 98 complete adult skeletons of both sexes and is still expanding, being the 10th contemporary collection available in Portugal. The skeletons consist exclusively of Portuguese nationals who died between 1946 and 2007, and the 42% that have been processed so far are in good preservation. Comparative learning outcomes after implementing this active learning strategy are not yet available. Improvements are expected since more participation and enthusiasm in classes and research were perceived.