Body farm < - your lab link click on the link to listen to the podcast interview of dr. bill bass, founder of the body farm. 1. when dr. bass works cases, either cold cases or ongoing investigation, what is his role in the investigation? 2. what role does the body farm play in forensic science? 3. what is the "sniffer"? why could this development be important? 4. are insects a fool-proof way to determine time of death? why or why not? 5. why are family members or law enforcement personnel sometimes interested in having people like dr. bass take a look at old cases?

1. What is his role in the investigation?

His role is to identify the body for example who is the person who died. Also, his role includes giving a clue as to how they died and how long they have been dead

2. What role does the body farm play in forensic science?

It is an important role for it collects all possible information from a decomposing body to help with an investigation.

3.  What is the "sniffer"? why could this development be important?

It is a sort of a mechanical device that picks up some compounds from decaying bodies.

4. Are insects a fool-proof way to determine the time of death? why or why not?

Yes, they are. Before 24 hours have passed the time of death can easily be determined by checking the potassium level in the gel of the eyes. Beyond that time the bugs in the body are like a time stamp.

5. Why are family members or law enforcement personnel sometimes interested in having people like Dr. Bass take a look at old cases?

They sometimes are interested in having someone like Dr. Bass because a forensic anthropologist can help close cold case, even if such cases are decades old. For example, Dr. Bass helped solve the case of the musician Big Bopper who died in a plane. Dr, Bass examined the body 48 years after the death and determined the cause of Big Bopper's death. Brilliant!