Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University – San Marcos
Document Type: General Information
Title: Grady Early Forensic Anthropology Research
Laboratory
Procedure No.: ANT01.000
POLICY:
The Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State – San Marcos general information and
procedures for working, studying, and researching within the Grady Early Forensic
Anthropology Research Laboratory (GEFARL).
PURPOSE:
To ensure proper and best practices within a forensic anthropology laboratory and
research facility.
SCOPE:
These procedures apply to faculty, employees, students, volunteers, and visiting
researchers.
1. Signing in/out
1.1 All non-faculty that enters and exits GEFARL needs to print their name, date, time in
and out, reason for visit, and signature.
1.2 The paperwork is located on the bookshelf at the entrance of GEFARL.
2. Keys
2.1 Access
2.1.1 The Director, Coordinator, and permanent FACTS faculty are
allowed keys to access GEFARL
2.1.2 GA’s assigned to FACTS are allowed keys to GEFARL
2.1.3 The key ring for the truck has a key to GEFARL
2.1.4 Graduate students may be given a key to GEFARL upon
approval from the Director.
2.1.5 Visiting researchers may be given a key to GEFARL upon
approval from the Director.
2.2 All keys must be checked out through the Secretary in the Anthropology Department
office or the Coordinator
2.3 Key Policy Waiver
2.3.1 Upon approval from the Director and receipt of a key to
GEFARL, a key policy waiver must be signed.
2.3.2 Key Policy Waivers are available through the Secretary in the
Anthropology Department office or through the Coordinator
3. Truck
3.1 The FACTS truck is kept in the back parking lot of GEFARL.
3.1.1 Gate access to the back parking lot is available through the Truck swipe
card or on the Coordinator’s ID card.
3.1.2 Be sure to follow all signage and wait for the gate to open completely
before entering or exiting the back lot.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
3.2 The keys to the FACTS truck are located in the top right drawer of the Coordinator’s
desk.
3.3 All mileage must be recorded after each use.
3.3.1 At the end of each month, the mileage sheet with the signature of the
Truck custodian (Coordinator or Director) must be sent to Karen Munoz
at Facilities Management.
3.3.1.1 Email: [email protected]
3.3.1.2 Phone: 5-2518
3.3.2 The mileage sheet should be photocopied and given to the Coordinator
before it is sent to Facilities
3.4 When refilling in San Marcos, the truck needs E-85 fuel. The “BodyFarm” credit card is
located in the card pouch attached to the key ring.
3.4.1 When asked for the driver id number, enter the six digit number written
on the credit card envelope.
3.4.2 When prompted for the odometer reading, enter the vehicle number
(7083) located on the credit card.
3.4.3 All receipts for gas must be retained and returned to the Coordinator.
3.5 All Graduates students should be registered to drive the FACTS truck. To register, all
students must sign a release through Mary Gibson in the Anthropology Department.
3.5.1 If a student has an out of state license, proof of your driving history is
required
3.5.2 All students who do not have a driver’s license are expected to obtain
one, unless special circumstances exist.
Food and Drink
2.1 Food and drink may be consumed in any area of the lab excluding the Texas State
Donated Skeletal Collection room.
2.2 All food and drink should be kept in the refrigerator located at the front of the lab.
Water
5.1 Water at GEFARL is non-potable.
5.2 Water jug refills are delivered to the print shop.
5.2.1 It is the FACTS GA responsibility to ask the print shop for refills.
Fire Extinguisher
6.1 The fire extinguisher is checked by a print shop employee every month
Recycling
7.1 The recycling is picked up by the university Recycling Services as needed. A pick up
request form may be filled out online.
7.2 When large Ziegler boxes are used for air transport of donations Recycling needs to be
called to remove them.
Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection Room
8.1 All donated and archaeological skeletal remains are stored here.
8.2 All measuring equipment is kept on the shelving unit.
8.3 The forensic case files are stored in the filing cabinet to the right of the entrance.
8.4 Access to the Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection Room requires a key located
in the Coordinator’s office.
8.4.1
The Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection Room must remain
closed and locked when no one is in GEFARL.
8.5 If skeletal material needs to leave the room for any reason (analysis, casting,
sampling, class, lectures, presentations) a skeletal checkout form, posted on the
donated skeletal collection shelving needs to be filled out.
9. Faculty and Student training
9.1 All FACTS personnel (Faculty, graduate students, and student volunteers) must complete
the Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management Training each calendar year.
9.1.1 This is available at the beginning of each Fall semester allowing for first
year graduate students to be properly trained prior to any donation,
forensic casework, and/or processing.
9.2 All students and volunteers must sign the Volunteer Release form and return it to the
Coordinator.
9.3 All students and volunteers must sign the Health and Safety Agreement Waiver and
return it to the Coordinator.
10. FACTS volunteers
10.1 Students enrolled at Texas State may volunteer at FACTS.
10.1.1 Requirements include a recommendation from a forensic faculty member
completion of Osteology, and completion of Skeletal Methods with
passing grades. Exceptions may be granted with approval from the
FATCS Director.
10.1.2 All volunteers must complete the yearly requirements outlined in section
9.
11. Casting Area
11.1 All casting equipment is located in the casting area.
11.2 When casting, all guidelines outlined in Casting Guidelines (Appendix I) should be
followed.
12. Histology Area
12.1 All histological equipment except the grinder and saw is located in the histology
area.
12.1.1 The grinder and saw are located next to the sink.
12.2 When creating slides, all guidelines outlined in Histology Guidelines (Appendix II)
should be followed.
12.3 When sampling human remains, a copy of the completed skeletal checkout form for
the sample being cut should be placed in the blue clipboard on the wall above the
histology table.
13. Digitizing Area
13.1 All digitizing equipment is located in the digitizing area.
14. Photography Area
14.1 The photo crane is attached to back wall in the photo area.
14.2 The black photo cloths are stored on the table located in the photo area.
14.3 All full body photos should be taken following the Full Body Photo Guidelines
(Appendix III).
14.4 All inventory photos should be taken with an ABFO scale and donation label of the
specimen.
15. Camera
15.1 The camera bags are located in the Coordinator’s office.
15.1.1 Each camera bag contains the camera, battery charger, image transfer
card, and north arrow.
15.2 When taking decomposition photos, notes must be taken to accompany photo
documentation. Once completed, the Coordinator must be notified.
15.2.1 All decomposition photos should follow the Decomposition Photo
Guidelines (Appendix IV).
15.2.2 All decomposition photos are stored on the 1TB hard drives located in
the Coordinator’s office.
List of Appendices
Appendix I: Casting Guidelines
Appendix II: Histology Guidelines
Appendix III: Full Body Photo Guidelines
Appendix IV: Decomposition Photo Guidelines
Appendix I: Casting Guidelines
See the Coordinator
Appendix II: Histology Guidelines
See the Coordinator
Appendix III: Full Body Photo Guidelines
See Coordinator
Appendix IV: Decomposition Photo Guidelines