Recreating Death’s Half Acre:
Forensic Science and Tech Farm
Dr. David K. Mills
Louisiana Tech University
Forensic Science
at Louisiana Tech University
• A Brief History
• Coursework
• Research
Activities
• Future Directions
Forensic Science
What is it?
ComponentsApplied Science
Basic Science
Legal/Courts & Testimony
Facilities
Scope of Forensic Science
Criminalistics
Specialities
Medicine
Anthropology
Odontology
Entomology
Others
History of Forensic Science
Chinese medicine-6th Century
1839-MJB Orfila, toxicology
Late 1800s-Alexandre Lacassagne, ballistics and
bloodstain patterns
1910-Edmund Locard, exchange principle
1924-August Vollmer, LAPD crime lab
1932-FBI Laboratory, fingerprints
Forensic Science is NOT
Forensic Science is
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CS Investigators
Physical Evidence
Forensic Science
Forensic
Taphonomy
• Forensic
Archeology
Forensic Anthropology at
Louisiana Tech University
Integrating Field Investigations with
Laboratory Analysis
Coursework in Forensic Science
• Forensic Anthropology
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Biological Anthropology
Research in Forensic Anthropology
Readings in Forensic Science
Readings in Bioanthropology
Human Osteology Lab
Objectives
• Intense instruction in
human osteobiology
• Methods used in human
identification
Aging
Sexing
Population Affinity
Diet
Pathology
Trauma
Investigative Field Techniques
• Simulated Crime
Scenes
• Pics as model
corpses
• Forensic
Taphonomy
• Forensic
Archeology
• Moot Court
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Crime Scene Excavation
• Site survey and discovery
• Crime scene preservation
• Site formation processes
• Site excavation
• Forensic archeological methods
• Importance of context and the
chain of evidence
• The art of archeology
Recovery and Analysis
• Recovery of material artifacts
• Data recording
• Forensic photography
• Preservation of skeletal remains
• Preliminary field analysis
• Curation and transport
Investigative Field Techniques
Forensic Archeology
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Laboratory Analysis and
Reconstruction
Forensic Case Report
and Mock Inquest
• Each forensic team submits a
written forensic case report.
• In a mock inquest, students
assume the role of expert
witness and defend their
conclusions.
• At conclusion of inquest,
crime scenario is presented
and discussed as regards
forensic team findings.
Model Human Corpse
• Hormel pygmy pig is used as a model human
corpse
• Document arthropod succession as means for
determination of post-mortem death interval
• Document patterns of decomposition and
disarticulation
• Model corpse is used for other research purposes
(e.g. studies in taphonomy)
Forensic Entomology
• Students prepare experimental area
in environment A
• Two entomology groups will
sample, monitor and analyze
arthropod and tissue samples
• Model corpse is placed in secured
cage surrounded by dead fall
traps
• Sampling will begin when first
blow fly lands
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• Sampling is done at set times in
morning and afternoon
• Temperature, rainfall and other
climatic measures are taken
• Arthropods are sorted and counted.
• Taxonomic identification is made
and arthropod succession is
determined.
• Tissues are fixed and processed
for paraffin embedding and
stained.
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Research Activities in
Forensic Taphonomy
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Bioturbation
Cut mark analysis
Differentiating bone trauma from geofact
Cell and tissue decay
Site formation processes
Chlorophyll concentration as PMI indicator
Hydraulic transport and differential preservation
Image Analysis and Forensic
Anthropology
Bone Modification