Forensic human identification | The Search

Professor Sue Black is one of the world's leading forensic anthropologists and director of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee.
She works with police forces in forensic casework that involve suspicious deaths, and helps to identify human remains at mass fatality events, such as plane crashes and terrorist attacks.
Skip to:
0:48 What are the four primary biological identifiers?
2:48 Disaster victim identification
4:32 The traumatic work of human identification
6:04 War crimes in Kosovo
Part of 'Forensics: the anatomy of crime' exhibition:
wellcomecollection.org/forensics
Find out more about the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification: cahid.dundee.ac.uk
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Find us on Facebook: / wellcomecollection

[@AMcDub0708]

Wow. Such a grisly profession and yet she’s still so tender toward the living and the dead. She’s got a beautiful heart.

[@katskil8161]

Professor Sue Black needs her own tv show!! I am obsessed with her book!

[@deadtexta]

Fascinating and so sensitively and eloquently communicated. Professor Black you are wonderful.

[@BavonWW]

Saint. Such a professional, but also able see the big picture, and the smallest acts of sheer courage. She takes the care to weave the right narrative: helping the lowly father while at same time ensuring strict practices that will present a steel wall of evidence to punish those at top for their guilt and complicity.
Actually an avenging angel, and a saint. A very humbling video.

[@dane1808]

I love this woman. She's on a BBC anthropologic medical examination program, I believe.

[@marlon1171]

There are no words to express the outmost admiration i feel for Professor Sue Black....

[@linjoy9627]

Very humbling, makes one feel that their daily trials and tribulations are meaningless. I applaud Professor S Black and her colleagues , without them many people wouldn't have the comfort of closure. It's so true "what's before you won't go by you".

[@user-vj7et5nu1u]

I love you Dr! I read your book "All that remains". I am delighted with your work.
I from Russia

[@rebegade_master]

So impressive and insightful. I start my forensic anthro unit next uni semester and I am looking forward to it. DVI is a particular interest of mine.

[@drayday3142]

i am intrigued by how this school coordinates everything pertaining forensic anthropology, i really really want to enroll in your school and thanks much for all this info

[@WinkBlinkNod]

I first saw this lady on History Cold Case several years ago. She is absolutely amazing!

[@trickynicky4268]

This woman ( and Professor Niamh Nic Daeid) really inspire me! I have been very fortunate to have met them. I have applied to Abertay, BSc Forensic Science and it is my dream to work in the field of forensics.

[@WellcomeCollection]

Hi TrickyNicky, thanks for your comment. Great to hear you're applying to a forensic science course - good luck with it! You might find this discussion featuring Sue Black and Niamh NicDaeid of interest: th-cam.com/video/p9ycxpZhNY0/w-d-xo.html ^Chris

[@nic78mclean7]

Professor Niamh Nic Daeid invited me to her lab, for a tour and chat about what she does and my studies. I also attended a talk and book launch, where Professor Sue Black was talking about her new book. I absolutely love listening to her. Sue and Niamh are 2 people whom I look up to and aspire to be like someday.

[@sukiart1338]

so cool :) I am too. I am currently working sometimes in the anthropology

[@bigbabyjesus12]

Wow. Good job dr.

[@janeymagee8695]

She is such an amazing woman.

[@davidfenton6014]

Dame Sue is a rock star!!!

[@consolee.945]

wow it most be really hard
i respect you

[@amirulzikri1984]

Hye and I am Malaysian student currently at my final year of my Bachelor in Medical Science in Management and Science University (MSU). Can we students who not studying in MBBS or MD apply for this master's programme?

[@theb8726]

Does anyone know the name of the book that she is talking about at minute 8:27?
Thank you

[@WellcomeCollection]

Hi Bianca, thanks for your comment. You can find a list of published books by Sue here: obnb.uk/a00063748-sue-m-black

[@edonbaliqi4566]

I think is the book about her experience in Kosovo called: What it remains

[@rishayraj2551]

u r such a grt teacher..

[@arkansasjournal2369]

How long do bones take to decompose?

[@WellcomeCollection]

Arkansas Journal Thanks for your question. It's difficult to say as there are a number of factors which can affect the decomposition of buried bones, such as the depth and location of burial, as well as the type and acidity of the soil. The age of the person may also affect bone preservation as well as underlying medical conditions they may have had, such as osteoporosis. You might like to read more about body decomposition in this Mosaic feature, 'This is what happens after you die': mosaicscience.com/story/what-happens-after-you-die

[@efltube]

Asking for a friend? Lol

[@coolnfruity6466]

Her numberings are off compared with another video I watched of her recounting that Kosovo family's story.

[@ChunkyChest]

`extremely important to uphold forensic practice`? shouldn't it be a scientific protocol ?

[@terrywickham781]

What is the grey area in the sexes? Thanks

[@theonlytrashcanintrench907]

Maybe if the person was intersex it had a disorder in the x or Y chromosomes making it harder to identify

[@theonlytrashcanintrench907]

*or if it had