– For example, buried corpses that have been tried to be hidden. Here, an archaeologist can make important contributions to get the best possible result from the excavation, says crime technician Kjell Helland Hansen. Last week could be the start of a historic Norwegian collaboration between archaeologists and police officers. The crime technicians are at the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger. Here, among other things, they learn how to handle skeletons and other objects that have been lying underground for a long time. These are methods the police can take advantage of. Kjell Helland Hansen is a crime leader in the West police district. Photo: Erik Gjesdal / news Established practice in several countries In several countries it is common for the police to collaborate with archaeologists. In Norway, there has so far been little systematic work on developing the field, and there is little established practice for knowledge transfer between the police and archaeologists. In forensic archaeology, traditional archaeological methods are used to carry out forensic investigations. The police got involved when several skeletons were found in connection with the renovation of Stavanger Cathedral. Photo: Vetle Mørch Tvedt / news Conservator at the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger, Hege Hollund, says they are now working to achieve a more formalized collaboration with courses, education and professional networks. – We had a case where we had to examine a skull, says crime technician Kjell Helland Hansen. – It turned out to be 9,000 years old. – They are better trained for some tasks that we do not have in our repertoire, he concludes. I was able to take part in excavations under the cathedral. The collaboration started little by little this winter. Then the police got to join in when the archaeologists had to excavate skeletons under the cathedral in Stavanger. Now they will work together even more closely. – Is the person digging down? Is there vegetation that has settled over? Only there can they help us a little, says Tore Walstad in the ID group to Kripos. Tore Walstad works in the ID group at Kripos. Their task is to identify those killed in major accidents and disasters. Photo: Erik Gjesdal / news Can help in “cold case” cases Conservator Hege Hollund believes the police have a lot to learn from the archaeologists at the museum. – In Sweden, for example, archaeologists are employed by the Swedish Prison Service to assist in special cases, says Hege Hollund. Hege Hollund is conservator at the Archaeological Museum. Photo: Erik Gjesdal / news She points, among other things, to so-called “cold cases”, i.e. older serious unsolved cases, as a possible field where archaeological expertise can be used. Kjell Helland Hansen says that much of the methodology used by the archaeologists and the police is similar. – Then you can perhaps tell someone about the context in connection with the burial, and what has happened afterwards, he says. – Sometimes we can’t do everything, and then we have to know when to call a friend. Possibly an expert in another field. It is an important part of our mandate, he insists. Published 04.10.2024, at 12.53
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Archaeologists will help the police solve crime mysteries – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
