One bone at a time, the AFP's Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology (FAA) capabilities are uncovering the secrets behind human remains and crimes and stories that would otherwise stay buried.
Established in 2019, the team provide national and international forensic assistance to police by conducting excavations of clandestine burials and making anthropological assessments of skeletal remains using forensic osteology and cranio-facial reconstruction.
The team often provide support to police investigations involving long-term missing persons, deploying into the field to assist with human or non-human assessments of skeletal remains.
Assessments can be done in the field, by analysing images, or examining bones in a laboratory.
Other common examinations arise from members of the public surrendering older skeletal remains that may have been used as learning aids, or casts made from real skeletons.
In the 2024-2025 financial year, the team responded to 13 incidents, four of which involved human skeletal remains.
AFP members trained in these capabilities have assisted with international operations by recovering and identifying human remains for law enforcement and the United Nations in response to large-scale accidents, emergencies, natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
In 2023, members of the team deployed to Templeton's Crossing, Papua New Guinea, to support the Australian Defence Force with the retrieval and recovery of skeletal remains of Australian World War II soldiers.
Sixty-five graves were exhumed during the six-week operation, with the partial remains of 15 soldiers recovered.
The team also work closely with academia to develop new and innovative techniques to advance forensic science.
In June, 2023, they began a new project with the University of Technology Sydney's Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), which studies the physical, chemical and biological processes of cadaver decomposition.
The project is studying the effects of decompositional fluids on digital devices buried with human remains, such as watches and smartphones, and whether they can provide clues, such as time of death, or audio and visual evidence.
In June, 2025, 13 members participated in a training exercise and excavated donor cadavers and digital devices buried in soil from two years prior.
The devices will now be analysed by AFP Forensics to determine if they have been compromised and if they can be repaired for full data extractions, with the hopes they can provide vital evidence for future criminal investigations.
AFP Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology lead Terina Bruhn said the Canberra-based team was prepared to deploy domestically and abroad to support police investigations.
"It can take weeks and months to identify human remains, however, our forensic specialists are committed to uncovering the truth and providing answers to help bring closure to families and to solve investigations where possible," Ms Bruhn said.
"Anthropologists and archaeologists are naturally curious people and enjoy searching for answers. The FAA is committed to supporting state and territory police searching for long-term missing persons. Solving cases and returning individuals to their loved ones is a unique, rewarding and powerful experience.
"Our group has access to the latest technology, equipment and methodologies to protect Australians and Australia's national interests nationally and abroad."
