The term “Body Farm” is the popular name given to a human taphonomic research facility, which is an outdoor laboratory dedicated to the scientific study of human decomposition. These centers are a resource for forensic science, providing data on what happens to human remains after death under various environmental conditions. Researchers use donated human bodies to observe and record the natural processes of decay, which can be directly applied to criminal investigations. The core purpose is to develop reliable methods for estimating the time since death and interpreting the circumstances surrounding the discovery of human remains.
The Founding Facility
The original and most recognized facility is the Anthropological Research Facility (ARF) located in Knoxville, Tennessee. This site operates as part of the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Anthropology Center. Forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass established the facility in 1981 after recognizing a significant gap in the scientific understanding of human decomposition rates in the region.
The facility consists of a secure, wooded plot where donated bodies are placed in different settings for study. The first research subject was received in May 1981, marking the beginning of controlled, outdoor human decomposition research. This initial research was transformative, as previous forensic studies often relied on limited data or animal analogues, such as pigs. The Knoxville facility remains an active hub for research and maintains one of the largest collections of documented human skeletal remains in the world.
Scientific Purpose and Research Focus
The primary scientific function of these facilities is the study of forensic taphonomy, examining all post-mortem processes affecting a body until its discovery. Researchers meticulously document the stages of decay, from the fresh stage through bloat, active decay, advanced decay, and finally to skeletonization. This observational data is compiled to create models that help forensic investigators estimate the postmortem interval, or time elapsed since death.
A significant focus of the research is forensic entomology, which involves analyzing the insects that colonize the remains. Specific insect species, such as blowflies and carrion beetles, arrive at predictable times during the decomposition process. By identifying the species and their developmental stage—eggs, larvae, or pupae—entomologists can establish a minimum time since death with a high degree of accuracy.
Environmental variables are also extensively studied because they dramatically affect the decomposition timeline. Researchers test conditions such as bodies placed on the surface, buried at different depths, covered with clothing, or submerged in water. Factors like air temperature, humidity levels, and soil chemistry are continuously monitored to understand their influence on the rate and pattern of decay. The data collected at these centers is used to train law enforcement, medical examiners, and forensic anthropologists on proper recovery techniques and evidence interpretation at a crime scene.
Nationwide Expansion of Research Centers
The success of the Tennessee facility led to the realization that decomposition rates are highly dependent on localized climate and geography. Consequently, the concept expanded, and the term “Body Farm” now collectively refers to a network of human decomposition research centers across the United States. This proliferation of sites allows researchers to gather data specific to a wider variety of ecological zones.
Today, multiple operational facilities affiliated with universities contribute unique regional data to forensic science. Notable examples include the Forensic Osteology Research Station (FOREST) at Western Carolina University and the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS). Other research centers are located at:
- Sam Houston State University
- Southern Illinois University
- Colorado Mesa University
- The University of South Florida
The geographical spread of these sites enables the scientific community to study decomposition in diverse environments. Examples include the arid desert climate of Colorado, the humid coastal conditions of Florida and Texas, and the cooler, mountainous regions of North Carolina. This varied data set is essential for developing accurate models for death investigations across the continental United States.