The role of “body farms” in solving cold cases
February 15, 2022
I found a very interesting collection of videos about the renowned Forensic Anthropology Center at University of Tennessee, which is also known as the “body farm”:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9_j-6Ab6evTMssPmflKetb6XVQ76nuiS
This research facility was founded in 1980 under the leadership of Dr. William M. Bass and is the first forensic research center of its kind in the world. In this open field laboratory, which covers about a hectare of wooded area in eastern Tennessee, the researchers study the decomposition of a human corpse in various natural and controlled environments.
The first actual body farm was opened in 1972 by Dr. Bass, who at the time also served as Tennessee’s official forensic anthropologist, to specifically study decomposed human remains involved in legal cases.
Nowadays the body farms play an important role in solving the so-called “cold cases”: