Forensic Taphonomy

As one of the only decomposition research facilities in the UK our DEFRA licenced facility offers student and staff researchers the opportunity to undertake experimental work related to decomposition.  

Forensic taphonomy is the study of what happens to the body and how the environment impacts on these processes between the death and discovery of human remains. The study of taphonomy was originally developed within palaeontology to answer those all-important questions concerning the preservation and decay of prehistorical body and trace fossils including dinosaurs. It was later adopted and amended by archaeologists to understand the degradation and weathering of bone from historic burial sites to exposed animal remains. The study of taphonomy was later adopted and amended by forensic anthropologists to apply forensic significance to taphonomic evidence such as dating death and reconstructing the events surrounding death.  

First established in 2014, the decomposition research facility here at Wrexham Glyndwr University has undertaken a range of projects including:   

• Proposing a Database for Forensic Taphonomy: Plans for an online open access repository for teaching and research of post-mortem processes 
• Forensic Taphonomy: UK Research Developments into Postmortem Decomposition 
• The challenges of forensic taphonomic research in the UK 
• Effects of body size on the rate of decomposition in the UK: Measuring total body score and percentage mass change in Sus scrofa 
• Microbial Succession Clock in Saline Decomposition 
• Effect of salt water on cadaver dog scent detection abilities 

We are passionate about including emerging technologies such as thermal imaging, 3D scanning and drones as well as the opportunity for research led teaching allowing students to get hands on experience throughout the BSc Forensic Science and MRes Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology programmes.