Who was the founder of the Body Farm?
Dr.Bill Bass
Why was The Body Farm created? What does it help forensic scientists study?
~to look at the rate of decay of bodies
~helps solve modern day murders
What was unearthed on the Family cemetery plot?
headless male corpse
What was the identity of the body buried in the plot?
Colonel William Shy
Approximately how old was the victim?
24-28 years old
Explain why the first estimate of the time of death was incorrect
because the scientists did not understand the decay rate
How does the body farm get bodies to place on the farm?
family consent and unclaimed bodies
what is the name of the new program designed to allow law enforcement personnel to hone their skills in forensic anthropology?
National Forensics Academy
What is another method by which dead bodies can be located?
cadaver dogs
what is the G.P.R.S?
Ground Penetrating Radar System
How does the G.P.R.S. identify a body?
signals show shape and density of body
What is the name of the most numerous insect found on corpses?
Blow Flies
Where are insect eggs most commonly found on a body?
Natural Body openings or bloody wounds
How long does it take for the eggs to hatch? What do they feed on?
2 hours; flesh
What was found inside the storage unit in Las Vegas? Who rented the storage unit?
a decomposing body; victims daughter
What is the evolutionary survival strategy of the coffin fly?
feed on bodies in the ground
What was the key piece of evidence that decided the sentence of the killer?
the fact that there was no blow flies
what was the motive of the main suspect in the murder of the family in Mississippi?
quarter million dollar life insurance policy
How long was the life cycle of the blow flies found with the bodies?
14 days
What area of forensic anthropology does Steve Sims specialize in?
Bone trauma Analysis
Describe the composition of human bone
calcium phosphate
What happens to a muscle when it is burned by fire?
flexes then contracts
What is a possible explanation for an un-flexed, straight arm discovered in a fire?
foul play
Why is it more valuable to test the action of fire on human body parts versus animal body parts?
more accurate when comparing to murder cases
name two distinct patterns found on bones burned in fire?
~fracture
~calcination
What is calcination?
bone turns into chalk
What is the job of Joanna Hughes?
face reconstructions
How many different cranial measurements from skills are found in the Oakridge National laboratories database?
1,000
Which two techniques are needed to reconstruct a face from a skull?
MRI and CAT Scan
Name some of the benefits to using computer generated facial reconstruction techniques
~accurate
~quicker
~able to make changes
List the characteristics of each of the four stages of death discussed in the video
~stage 1( fresh stage, stiffening, discoloration, relaxation)
~stage 2(insect activity)
~stage 3(gas buildup)
~stage 4(mummification)
Why do gases build up within a dead body?
Ph levels, marbling