The term “body farm” is the common name for an Anthropological Research Facility (ARF), an outdoor laboratory dedicated to studying human decomposition under natural conditions. The research conducted at these sites forms the basis of forensic taphonomy, which is the scientific analysis of postmortem changes to human remains and how the environment affects them.
While the concept of studying human decay in an open environment may seem unsettling, the purpose of these facilities is strictly scientific and geared toward criminal justice. Researchers observe and document the precise stages of decay to develop accurate models that aid law enforcement investigations. The data collected are used to solve crimes, identify missing persons, and provide factual information to medical examiners and courts.
The Official Body Farms in the United States
The number of official Anthropological Research Facilities in the United States is small, generally cited as being around eight, reflecting the specialized and regulated nature of this research. These university-affiliated facilities are recognized for their work in forensic science, with each site contributing unique data based on its specific climate and geography. The first and most well-known facility is the original Anthropological Research Facility at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, established in 1981.
Following this pioneering effort, similar facilities were established in different regions of the country to broaden the scope of research. Key locations include:
- The Forensic Osteology Research Station at Western Carolina University in North Carolina.
- The Forensic Anthropology Research Facility at Texas State University.
- The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility at Sam Houston State University.
- Southern Illinois University.
- Colorado Mesa University.
- The University of South Florida.
The number of these sites remains limited due to the ethical, legal, and logistical hurdles involved in their creation and operation. Establishing a facility requires obtaining specialized permits and navigating strict state and federal regulations concerning the handling of human remains and land use. Public perception and opposition from local communities also pose substantial challenges to opening new facilities.
A dedicated body donation program is a prerequisite for the operation of every facility, which relies on individuals who have chosen to donate their remains specifically for forensic science research through a willed body program. While some bodies come from medical examiner offices when next of kin cannot be located, the majority of research subjects are voluntary donors who registered prior to death or whose families consented to the donation.
These facilities must adhere to strict Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight, ensuring all research protocols are ethical and scientifically justified. The remains studied at these sites ultimately become part of permanent, documented skeletal collections, which are invaluable resources for researchers and students studying modern human variation and trauma. The complexity of managing both the outdoor facilities and the skeletal collections ensures that only a few institutions can sustain such research.
The Scientific Necessity of Decomposition Research
The primary necessity of decomposition research is the improvement of forensic techniques used in criminal investigations. A core application is refining the estimation of the Post Mortem Interval (PMI), which is the time elapsed since a person died. Accurately determining the PMI can help law enforcement narrow down a timeline, confirm or deny a suspect’s alibi, and ultimately bring clarity to a case.
Researchers at these facilities develop and test standardized metrics for tracking the physical breakdown of the body, such as the Total Body Score (TBS). This system allows forensic scientists to assign numerical values to the visual changes associated with decomposition, creating an objective and consistent way to compare decay across different cases and environments. The data gathered helps to build models that predict the rate of decay under specific conditions.
The facilities also serve as a training ground for law enforcement and specialized search teams. Personnel, including homicide detectives and crime scene technicians, receive hands-on training in the proper techniques for searching, documenting, and recovering scattered or buried human remains without compromising evidence. This training is particularly important in complex scenes where remains may have been dispersed by scavengers or hidden for long periods.
The sites are also used to train specialized K-9 units, or cadaver dogs, by exposing them to the specific scent profiles of human decomposition at various stages. By analyzing the chemical compounds released during decay, scientists create better detection standards, which improves the success rate of search and rescue operations. Research also helps distinguish between postmortem changes caused by natural processes, such as insect activity and animal scavenging, from injuries sustained before or around the time of death.
The Role of Climate and Environment in Decomposition Studies
A single Anthropological Research Facility would be insufficient to provide accurate forensic data across the diverse climates of the United States, which is why multiple sites are necessary. The rate and pattern of human decomposition are highly dependent on local environmental factors, a phenomenon known as taphonomic variability. Temperature, humidity, soil composition, and the specific types of insects and scavengers present all dramatically influence how quickly a body breaks down.
For example, a body decomposing in the hot, humid climate of Florida will follow a very different path than one in the arid, high-altitude environment of Colorado. High temperatures and moisture accelerate bacterial and enzymatic activity, leading to rapid decay in southern regions. Conversely, dry conditions, whether cold or warm, can lead to desiccation and mummification, preserving tissues for longer periods.
The facilities are strategically located in distinct climate zones to capture this variability. For instance, the Texas facilities study decomposition in a hot, semi-arid environment, while the North Carolina site focuses on cooler, mountainous, and temperate conditions. Research across these different environments allows forensic anthropologists to create region-specific prediction models, ensuring law enforcement uses decay data relevant to their local conditions.
Scientists at these sites also study specific variables, such as the effect of burial depth, clothing, and water submersion on decomposition. Understanding how these factors interact with temperature and insect succession is important for providing reliable evidence in court. This ongoing, climate-specific research requires continuous updates to established forensic models, especially as environmental conditions, including shifts in temperature and insect populations, change.