top of page

HTFs in the Media

Explore how Human Taphonomy Facilities have been covered by journalists, broadcasters, and scientists around the world - from investigative features to documentary film.

Featured Coverage

In the Press & Online

A curated selection of significant media coverage exploring the science, ethics, and importance of Human Taphonomy Facilities.

paper icon vecotor

Article

2015

FORBES

These 6 'Body Farms' Help Forensic Anthropologists Learn To Solve Crimes

Go behind the scenes at six body farms across the US, where researchers are studying the process of human decomposition using donated bodies to help solve crimes.

Forbes

link icon vector

paper icon vecotor

Article

2016

NEW SCIENTIST

Human 'Body Farm' Reveals We Need to Stop Using Pigs to Establish Time of Death

Research from the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research shows that pigs are not adequate proxies for human decomposition, making the case for human-specific research facilities.

New Scientist

link icon vector

photo icon vector

Photo Essay

NSFW

2017

WIRED

Out on the Texas Ranch Where Scientists Study Death (NSFW)

A striking photo essay from Freeman Ranch, where over 50 decomposing bodies lie in the open air - grisly but necessary work to help identify victims long after they die.

Wired

link icon vector

paper icon vecotor

Article

2010

VICE

At the Body Farm, scientists are in the business of giving people back their identities - listening to what someone has to say even after their lips have long since decomposed.

Vice

link icon vector

play icon vector

Video

2008

YOUTUBE / BBC

Stephen Fry Visiting the Body Farm

Stephen Fry visits the original Body Farm at the University of Tennessee as part of his documentary series, offering a thoughtful and illuminating look at the facility's work.

YouTube / BBC

link icon vector

play icon vector

Video

2017

ABC NEWS AUSTRALIA

Inside the Secret Australian Body Farm

Behind a high-security fence at a secret bushland location outside Sydney lies one of the only body farms in the world, where scientists help real-life CSIs solve crimes.

ABC News Australia

link icon vector

UK Coverage

BBC NEWS

Does the UK Need a Human 'Body Farm'?

BBC Science & Environment examines the case for a UK taphonomy facility and speaks to forensic scientists about the scientific gap.

link icon vector

BBC SCIENCE FOCUS

Down on the Body Farm: The Gruesome, but Vital Forensic Facility Coming to the UK

An in-depth feature on why UK-specific decomposition data matters and what a British facility could look like.

link icon vector

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSE KNOXVILLE

Forensic Anthropology Center (FAC)

The original body farm, founded in 1981 by Dr. William Bass. The model for all subsequent facilities worldwide.

link icon vector

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Forensic Anthropology Center - Texas State University

One of the largest body farm facilities in the world, home to Freeman Ranch.

link icon vector

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY

Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility (STAFS)

A multi-disciplinary forensic research facility focused on decomposition science and applied forensic research in Southeast Texas.

link icon vector

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Forensic Osteology Research Station (FOReST)

A decomposition research facility in the mountain environment of the southern Appalachians, contributing unique ecological data.

link icon vector

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EDWARDSVILLE

Center for Forensic Science Education and Research (CFAR)

A forensic anthropology research facility supporting decomposition studies in the Midwest, bridging science and criminal justice.

link icon vector

COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY

Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS)

A high-altitude taphonomy facility in Grand Junction, Colorado, providing decomposition data for semi-arid, high-desert environments.

link icon vector

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Forensic Research Outdoor Station (FROST)

A northern taphonomy facility providing critical data on decomposition in cold-climate conditions, relevant to northern European environments.

link icon vector

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY

Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER)

The southern hemisphere's first taphonomy facility, opened in 2016 by Professor Shari Forbes.

link icon vector

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

Research and Education in Support of Taphonomy (REST[ES])

Canada's first human taphonomy facility, extending the international network of decomposition research into cold-climate and forested environments.

link icon vector

University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam Research Initiative for Taphonomy and Anthropology (ARISTA)

Europe's first human taphonomy facility, marking a significant step toward evidence-based forensic standards in Western Europe.

link icon vector

Facility Websites

Academic & Scientific

NEW SCIENTIST

Life Amid Death at Australia's New Body Farm

New Scientist goes inside AFTER as it opens its doors, exploring the science and significance of human taphonomy research.

link icon vector

PubMed Central / PMC

Pigs vs People: The Use of Pigs as Analogues for Humans in Forensic Research

Peer-reviewed research examining why animal analogues are insufficient substitutes for human decomposition research.

link icon vector

VICE

Learning to Read Corpses at the Texas State Body Farm

A detailed account of the scientific methods and day-to-day realities of forensic research at a major US taphonomy facility.

link icon vector

Learn More

Want to go deeper?

Explore our FAQ for detailed answers, read the policy briefing, or find out how you can support the campaign.

READ THE FAQ POLICY BRIEFING

bottom of page