Body Farm Allows Interdisciplinary Research in Forensic Science

On 20-acres of privately owned land in Columbiana County is a farm. There are many farms in Columbiana County, so this might not seem strange at first. But this particular farm is not for your typical farm animals. 

The planned body farm provides the setting where the changes in the physical and chemical properties of soil, rock and water associated with clandestine burial of human bodies can be simulated. Though the research topic may seem a bit off-putting at first, it is vitally important to understand the nature of decay and provide essential information to law enforcement agencies. The project came about through recent work that YSU faculty have done with local law enforcement agencies, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. The purpose of the research project is to improve our understanding of body decomposition using Ground Penetrating Radar, Electromagnetic Induction, soil properties and soil vapor emissions.

The project is a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort of six YSU faculty: Jeffrey Dick and Thomas Jordan (Geology), Rob Wardle and Susan Clutter (Forensic Science) and Matt O’Mansky and Loren Lease (Archaeology). The results will greatly aid law enforcement agencies in solving cold case files. The facility has the added advantage of providing training to students and law enforcement agencies in the use of geophysical detection equipment.

Detection and recovery of buried homicide victims is perhaps the best known application of forensic science. But things as simple as soil stuck on the underside of a vehicle used in the commission of a crime can be used to put the vehicle at the scene of the crime. The earliest forensic geology example dates back to 1856 Germany, when sand that replaced silver coins in barrels being transported by train was traced back to one particular train station. It turned out to be an inside job and train station staff were the culprits.

Interested students can be involved in a variety of ways. Geology faculty currently have one graduate student paired with an undergraduate student doing the preliminary Body Farm set up work. Six geology undergraduate students recently volunteered to help the FBI clean surface debris from two suspected crime scenes in preparation for geophysical survey work. Additionally, a Forensic Geology elective course is being developed to be offered starting in 2022.

Students interested in Forensic Geology should contact Dr. Jeffrey Dick at jcdick@ysu.edu to set up a meeting where he can discuss options and pathways.