Dr Laura Evis
Senior Lecturer in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
4520
01392 724520
Overview
Dr Laura Evis is a forensic bioarchaeologist who adapts and applies various archaeological and anthropological techniques to help answer questions and solve problems for medico-legal investigations.
Topics of interest include the development of specialist search, location, recovery and recording methods for forensic casework, including work conducted in domestic, international and mass disaster settings. Laura's previous research focused on experimentally testing existing archaeological excavation techniques and recording methods to validate their suitability for use in forensic casework.
Laura teaches across a range of subjects, but specialises in forensic archaeology and anthropology.
Research
Dr Evis is one of very few academics, internationally, that specialises in the field of forensic bioarchaeology. Her transdisciplinary research focuses on the development of innovative techniques and strategies to improve the identification and recovery of evidence in both archaeological and forensic contexts. This ensures reliability and therefore admissibility of evidence-based interpretations in both legal and archaeological settings. This work is multifaceted, for example, it ranges from developing multi-proxy methods to determine migration patterns and socio-cultural behaviours of prehistoric peoples (Harlaa, Ethiopia; Stonehenge, UK) through to developing effective strategies for the investigation of mass fatality incidents. Within a legal framework, this research helps contribute to the resolution of real-world issues and provides inputs to initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the UN, most notably, Goals 10 (Reducing Inequalities) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Supervision
Research students
Current research students
Becker, K., 2024: ‘A bioarchaeological investigation of Neolithic human remains found at causewayed enclosures’. PhD.
Mitrofan, D., 2024: ‘Hybridisation and inequality in Late Antiquity. A meta-analysis of the lime, gypsum and chalk deposits in Roman burial contexts’. PhD.
Nesnidalova, T., 2025: ‘Aging the Living and the Dead: New baselines for age estimation from dental wear’. PhD.
Calley, H., 2027: ‘Spatio-temporal Chain Event Graphs for translating expert judgement into complex statistical models’. PhD.
Wingrove, C., 2029: ‘A novel method for investigating complex disarticulated human burials that employs ‘fracture history profiling’, zonation and taphonomic histories to enhance identification and reattribution’. PhD.
Past research students
Mack, J., 2020: ‘What Hope Lied Buried Here: Differential Mortality and Mortuary Treatment of Adolescents in Dubuque’s Third Street Cemetery’. PhD. Complete.
Hayes, H., 2023: ‘A critical examination of the taphonomic effects mass graves have on the subsoil and surrounding landscape’. MRes.
Publications
Copyright Notice: Any articles made available for download are for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the copyright holder.
2021
- Evis LH. (2021) A critical appraisal of interdisciplinary research and education in British Higher Education Institutions: A path forward?, Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, volume 21, no. 2, pages 119-138, DOI:10.1177/14740222211026251. [PDF]
- Insoll T, Khalaf N, MacLean R, Parsons-Morgan H, Tait N, Gaastra J, Beldados A, Pryor A, Evis L. (2021) Material cosmopolitanism: the entrepot of Harlaa as an Islamic gateway to eastern Ethiopia, Antiquity, volume 380, pages 487-507, DOI:10.15184/aqy.2020.169.
2020
- Mack JE. (2020) What Hope Lies Buried Here: Differential Mortality and Mortuary Treatment of Adolescents in Dubuque's Third Street Cemetery.
2016
- Evis LH. (2016) Forensic Archaeology: The Application of Comparative Excavation Methods and Recording Systems, Archaeopress Archaeology, DOI:10.2307/j.ctvxw3nq9. [PDF]
- Evis LH, Hanson I, Cheetham PN. (2016) An experimental study of two grave excavation methods: Arbitrary Level Excavation and Stratigraphic Excavation, STAR: Science & Technology Of Archaeological Research, volume 2, pages 177-191, DOI:10.1080/20548923.2016.1229916.
External impact and engagement
Contribution to discipline
Conferences
Organised and chaired
2023: Making an Impact: Developing Research in Applied Bioarchaeology, European Association for Archaeologists, Belfast/Online
2023: The Nature and Scope of Forensic Archaeology: Different Definitions, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Nottingham/Online
2022: A Different Kind of Difference? The Value of Forensic Archaeology, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Bath/Online
2018: Expanding Horizons: Collaboration, Synthesis and Innovation in Forensic Archaeological Practice, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Brighton
2012: Dig it! Intersections between Excavation Methods and Recording Systems, Society for American Archaeology, Memphis
2012: Madness in our Methods? The state of the art and intersections between excavation methods and recording systems, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Oxford
2011: Dig it! Intersections between Excavation Methods and Recording Systems, Theoretical Archaeology Group, Birmingham
Papers presented
Evis, L.H., Darvill, T., Cheetham, P. and Hanson, I., 2015. Searching for a Standard: The impact that method selection has on evidence recovery in forensic archaeological investigations. Washington DC: International Forensics Symposium.
Evis, L.H., Darvill, T., Cheetham, P. and Hanson, I., 2014. Digging the Dirt: An evaluation of archaeological excavation and recording techniques and their applicability in forensic casework. Austin: Society for American Archaeology.
Hanson, I., Pelling, S. and Evis, L., 2008. Towards Standards in Forensic Archaeology: Examining the impact of method on interpretation. Washington DC: American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
External reviewing
Dr Evis is an editor for the Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences and has reviewed publications for: Arts and Humanities in Higher Education; Routledge; Thames and Hudson; The Journal of Archaeological Science; The Quality Assurance Agency (Archaeology); World Archaeology. She is also a grant reviewer for the European Research Council and The Swiss National Science Foundation.
External Examiner, Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology MSc programme, University of Dundee.
Outreach
Dr Evis is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute and member of the Advisory Council for the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists; British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology; British Association for Forensic Anthropology; British Association for Human Identification; European Association of Archaeologists (2023); Heritage Alliance; Violence, Evidence and Justice Research Network.
She is also an accredited practitioner of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (PCIfA), a Director/Vice-Chair/Trustee of Cotswold Archaeology, an elected Committee Member/Treasurer of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists: Forensic Archaeology Special Interest Group (2018-2024), an Emergency Responder for Blake Emergency Services and COVID-19 Emergency Response Unit (Wiltshire), an Expert Practitioner for The Inforce Foundation, and an Expert Trainer for Andante Travels, Bournemouth University and Cranfield University.
Teaching
Modules taught
- ARC1007 - Archaeological and Forensic Science Practicals
- ARC1008 - Forensic Archaeology
- ARC1070 - Practical Skills in Archaeology
- ARC2514 - Forensic Anthropology
- ARC3000 - Archaeological Dissertation
- ARC3510 - Experimental Approaches to Forensic and Archaeological Investigations
- ARCM600 - Bioarchaeology Dissertation
- ARCM602 - Forensic Anthropology: Principles and Practice
Biography
Education
PGCert. Title: Academic Practice. Institution: University of Exeter. 2019.
PhD. Title: Digging the Dirt - A Comparative Analysis of Excavation Methods and Recording Systems in Relation to their Applications in Forensic Archaeology. Institution: Bournemouth University. Dates: October 2010 - March 2014. Supervisors: Professor Timothy Darvill OBE and Paul Cheetham. Examiners: Dr Edward Harris MBE and Dr Martin Smith.
PGDip. Title: Forensic and Biological Anthropology. Institution: Bournemouth University. Dates: October 2009 – September 2010.
MSc. Title: Forensic Archaeology: Crime Scene and International Investigations. Institution: Bournemouth University. Dates: October 2008 – September 2009.
BA (Hons). Title: Ancient History and Archaeology. Institution: Cardiff University. Dates: September 2005 – July 2008.
Specialist training
Radiographic Investigations in Forensic Science Short Course, Cranfield University, February 2024.
Mental Health and Suicide Awareness, ZSA & Royal College of Nursing, July 2023.
Public Engagement Masterclass, NCCPE Steve Cross, May 2023.
Aurora Leadership Development Initiative, Advanced HE, January 2023.
QNUK Level 3 Award, Emergency First Aid at Work (RFQ), First Aid Academy, October 2022.
Family Assistance Centre Workshop, Blake Emergency Services, May 2017.
Hazards at the Accident Site Workshop, Blake Emergency Services, May 2017.
Empathetic Communications Workshop, Blake Emergency Services, May 2017.
Mass Grave Short Course, Bournemouth University, April 2010.
Muscular Anatomy Short Course, Bournemouth University, 2008-2010.
Expert Witness Training Short Course, Bournemouth University, 2008-2010.
CRANID Software Short Course, Professor Richard Wright, Bournemouth University, April 2009.
Air Crash Recovery Short Course, Bournemouth University, February 2009.
Prizes and awards
Above and Beyond Award – Rigour (May 2016) Community (May 2016), Rigour (July 2016), Community (May 2017), Community (June 2018), Community (May 2019), Ambition (September 2019), Ambition (February 2020), Ambition (July 2020) and Excellence (2023).
Commendation from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire (COVID-19 Response Work).
Outset Charity Work Award.
Silver Above and Beyond Award - Outstanding Achievement (December 2021 & July 2022).
Student Guild Teaching Award Nominations: Best Feedback Provider (May 2014); Best Lecturer (May 2014; June 2016; June 2017; May 2019); Most Supportive Staff Member (June 2017; May 2019); Academic and Innovative Teaching (May 2019); Outstanding Pastoral Support (July 2021).
Teaching Commendation (Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Exeter, February 2016).
