Beyond the Body Farm

Beyond the Body Farm: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders,Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science by Bill Bass

Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist, compiled a collection of case studies and anecdotes from his career in corpse identification. Noting that the CSI form of crime solving is far too convenient, Bass relates the technological advances that have made forensics easier. Combined with his gut instincts, Bass describes the highs and lows of an unusual job.

The title comes from the "body farm" he created outside of the University of Tennessee, where Bass teaches. It is an experimental plot of land devoted to forensic studies, namely recreating body decomposition and insect/victim correlations. I know this sounds a bit weird, but I was fascinated by the stories in this book. Bass tells slightly gross tales of reassembling bodies from a fireworks factory explosion, and trying to figure out how long it took a duct-tape bound man to die. I have always been a fan of lumenol and detective shows, so this was right up my alley.

***** 5 Farmtastic Stars