description William Bass Overview
William M. Bass is an American forensic anthropologist and professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In 1981 he established the university’s Anthropological Research Facility, an outdoor laboratory where donated human remains are studied under different environmental conditions to document decomposition and support forensic investigations. The facility became known as the Body Farm, and Bass’s work helped develop evidence used in estimating postmortem intervals and identifying remains.
help William Bass FAQ
What is the Body Farm associated with William Bass?
The Body Farm is the common name for the University of Tennessee's Anthropological Research Facility in Knoxville. William M. Bass established it in 1981 as an outdoor laboratory for studying the decomposition of donated human remains. [University of Tennessee](https://our.tennessee.edu/2024/utk-william-bass/amp/)
What does William Bass's decomposition research measure?
Researchers study how human remains change under different environmental conditions, including the timing of decomposition and insect activity. Those observations help forensic investigators estimate postmortem intervals and interpret outdoor crime scenes.
How has the Body Farm helped law enforcement?
Its research supports grave detection, recovery of remains, and the interpretation of outdoor death scenes. The FBI has trained personnel there, and the facility's work is intended to move forensic science forward. [FBI Body Farm history](https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/body-farm-20th-anniversary-032019)
Can the public take a tour of William Bass's Body Farm?
No. The University of Tennessee's Forensic Anthropology Center says it does not provide tours of the Anthropology Research Facility. Access is reserved for approved research, training, and service activities. [University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center](https://fac.utk.edu/)
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