Title: Ashes from Ashes: Archaeologists and Forensic Dogs Recovering Human Remains, Los Angeles

Presenter: Natalie Brodie

In this lecture, archaeologist Natalie Brodie will discuss the most recent efforts to recover cremated human remains following the wildfires in Los Angeles County. Volunteer archaeologists have been paired with trained forensic dogs and handlers to search for cremated remains in the wreckage. Ms. Brodie will discuss the process used by the archaeologists, the remarkable results of the effort, and the relevance of the archaeological process for remains recovery and helping families find solace. Note this presentation will show photographs of cremated human remains.

Natalie Brodie, M.A., RPA, is a Senior Archaeologist at AECOM in San Diego, California. She has been in the archaeology business for over 20 years, and is passionate about how archaeology can be a guide for the future and a critical tool to use in responding to the social issues we face at present. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Concentration in Archaeology, from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Arts in Applied Anthropology from San Diego State University. She completed her first post-fire cremains recovery in 2018, following the Camp Fire in northern California, and has since been involved on multiple recovery efforts and promotes the collaboration of archaeologists and trained canines to complete this important work.