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Body Farms: The Need for Decomposition Research Facilities

NCJ Number
217722
Journal
Evidence Technology Magazine Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2007 Pages: 16-19
Author(s)
Dale Garrison
Date Published
January 2007
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the challenges of developing a forensic decomposition research facility.
Abstract
Forensic decomposition research facilities are important because they show how a human body naturally decomposes in different types of situations. There are only two such facilities in the country: one at the University of Tennessee--the Anthropological Research Facility widely known as the “Body Farm”--and one in North Carolina operated by Western Carolina University. While these facilities are great for training students and conducting research, more decomposition research facilities are needed, particularly since the only two facilities in the country are geographically close to one another and thus have the same type of weather and other environmental conditions. The challenges associated with developing a decomposition research facility are identified by Dr. John Williams, director of the Human Identification Lab at Western Carolina University. Challenges are varied and can include public opposition, zoning regulations, and the expense. These facilities are best located in remote areas, yet they must be accessible enough to visit daily and there must be the logistic capability of running water lines, roads, fence systems, electricity, sewer services, and Internet access to the location. Williams, however, identified organization as one of the most significant challenges faced by the development of a forensic decomposition research facility, mainly due to the complexities introduced by the involvement of multiple scientific disciplines and other environmental, geological, and demographic factors. Despite the challenges, the benefits of these research facilities are significant. Texas State University-San Marcos is developing the country’s third decomposition research facility, due to open during the fall of 2007.