The palaeoimaging and forensic anthropology of frozen sailors from the Franklin Arctic expedition mass disaster (1845–1848): a detailed presentation of two radiological surveys

Abstract

Natural and human caused disasters are not limited only to our time. Over the last few decades a branch of the forensic sciences has been developed which involves the collaboration of forensic researchers and specialists with archaeologists and physical anthropologists in the investigation and interpretation of historic and prehistoric disasters causing human death, and in the investigation of the deaths of historical figures (Beattie, 1993). This paper outlines the current findings of a multidisciplinary team of specialists investigating a 19th century mass disaster, the Sir John Franklin Arctic expedition of 1845–1848, with a focus on radiological analysis.