A “body farm” is a specialized outdoor research facility where human decomposition is studied under various conditions. Formally known as human decomposition or forensic anthropology research facilities, their purpose is to observe and document changes a human body undergoes after death. This research provides data crucial for forensic science and investigations involving human remains.
The University of Tennessee Facility
The original and most recognized facility of this kind is the University of Tennessee’s Anthropological Research Facility (ARF) in Knoxville, Tennessee. Established in 1972 by forensic anthropologist Dr. William M. Bass, this site was the first in the world dedicated to studying human decomposition. Dr. Bass, who also served as the state forensic anthropologist for Tennessee, recognized the need for scientific data on decomposition to aid law enforcement. His work revolutionized the field of forensic anthropology.
The facility, often referred to as “The Body Farm,” began receiving donated human remains in 1981. Researchers at the ARF place bodies in diverse scenarios, such as surface exposure, burial, or in vehicles, to observe how environmental factors influence decay. This research provides insights into the post-mortem interval, which is the time elapsed since death. The University of Tennessee also maintains the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection, a resource for further study of human remains.
The Purpose of Forensic Anthropology Research
Facilities like the Anthropological Research Facility provide data on human decomposition. Researchers study how factors such as temperature, humidity, insect activity, soil composition, and scavenging animals affect the rate and patterns of decay. This observation helps forensic anthropologists develop accurate methods for estimating the time since death in criminal investigations.
Understanding decomposition under varied conditions aids in identifying human remains and interpreting trauma. Forensic anthropologists determine characteristics like age, sex, ancestry, and stature from skeletal remains, and differentiate between injuries sustained before or after death. This research directly supports law enforcement, medical examiners, and other forensic professionals in solving cases and providing answers.
Other Human Decomposition Research Facilities
While the University of Tennessee facility was the first, several other human decomposition research facilities have been established across the United States to study decay in different climates and environments. These diverse locations allow researchers to gather data across a wide range of environmental factors, enhancing the scientific understanding of human decomposition.
- Texas State University’s Forensic Anthropology Center (FACTS) in San Marcos, Texas, opened in 2008 and is the largest globally, focusing on decomposition rates in the distinct Texas climate.
- Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, established the Forensic Osteology Research Station (FOREST) around 2006, making it the second such facility. The FOREST studies decomposition in a mountainous, temperate climate.
- Colorado Mesa University operates the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS) in Grand Junction, Colorado, specializing in decomposition studies in high-elevation arid conditions.
- Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, has the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility (STAFS).
- The University of South Florida in Tampa has the Facility for Outdoor Research and Training (FORT).