ABSTRACT
In November of 2013, the Indianapolis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched a complex, multi-year, criminal investigation that set the stage for what has become the FBI’s largest single recovery of Native American human remains, cultural objects, and foreign artefacts to date. This investigation helped to redefine how law enforcement deals with the sensitive area of repatriating remains and objects that have been subjected to the criminal justice process. This case study highlights the collaborative efforts between academia, Indigenous communities, and law enforcement, and explores the innovative approach the FBI used to deal with the issues related to recovery and repatriation in a criminal investigation.
