Forensics expert to feature in television documentary

A forensics expert from Teesside University is to feature in a national television documentary examining the mysteries of Stonehenge.

Stonehenge: The Final Mystery, to be broadcast on Friday 5 May at 8pm on Channel 5, is part of the Ancient Mysteries series which deals with historical mysteries. This episode looks at new theories which have arisen about the famous stone circle.

The programme delves in to the recent discovery of a mass grave at Stonehenge and examines the question about the skeletons found at the site to seek to discover where these people originated from and why they were there.

Among experts interviewed for the programme was Tim Thompson, Professor of Applied Biological Anthropology and Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching) in the University’s School of Science & Engineering. He was also involved in examining the cremated remains found at the site.

Professor Thompson said: 'It was an exciting site to work on and a privilege to be able to contribute.'

His main areas of research focus on the human body, the effects of burning on the skeleton and the development of new analytical tools to examine this challenging biomaterial. He is also interested the recording and visualisation of forensic evidence and heritage artefacts.

Professor Thompson regularly acts as a consultant forensic anthropologist for the police, mainly in the North-East of England. He also runs a company which creates digital tools and software for those studying, teaching, researching and working with skeletal remains.

Watch the programme

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