Mountain, Swamp, and Beach Meeting of Forensic Anthropologists 2022
Methods and Observations of Conducting Full-Body Burn Research
A presentation given by myself and a colleague at the 2022 MSB conference in Murfreesboro, TN outlining methods and observations we utilized to conduct this research as a part of two larger NIJ funded projects.
Abstract:
According to FEMA, the national fire death rate in the United States is 11.4% (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/ ) highlighting the need for full-body burn research. However, the theoretical applications and methodologies of full body burn research have not been fully explored or documented. Through an innovative approach, the Forensic Anthropology Center (FAC) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is investigating thermal trauma in a controlled environment. The goal of this presentation is to discuss observations from conducting full body burn research and to provide a general understanding of forensic pyre construction, data collection, documentation, and post-burn recovery. Challenges of the project and potential medico-legal applications will be discussed as well.