Between the Archaeological and the Criminal Cases: Human Remains and Ethical Issues in Russia

Abstract

Ethical issues in Russia have stemmed from a long tradition of research into historical and contemporary archaeological sites. However, these investigations vary depending on whether the archaeologist or anthropologist is dealing with human remains from archaeological contexts, the victims of the Second World War, or those from recent criminal cases. Furthermore, there are a number of cultural and political considerations that have since become entwined within ethical practice, such as the case of the Ukok Princess. This chapter argues that the attitudes regarding human remains started to change with the excavation of monasteries and convents, resulting in the identification of the deceased employing forensic anthropological methods. Likewise, Russia was involved in a number of conflicts throughout the twentieth century that included: The Revolution, two World Wars, and a Civil War. In recent years, the discovery of conflict casualties has led to an increase in the search and identification process by a number of scientists. Therefore, this chapter addresses the ethical challenges associated with searching, recovering, and identifying human remains, and how these change depending on their associated period. Also detailed is the treatment of the dead and any living relatives. In Russia, ethical issues pertaining to human remains will continue to develop, and its awareness will continue to increase throughout the professional community and reach out to the wider population.