Forensics Death Investigation: Secrets of the Body Farm Video Guide

The Secrets of the Body Farm by National Geographic is a fun documentary that students always enjoy! The Body Farm, located in TN, is home to a few dozen donated bodies, where Forensic Scientists go to learn about human decomposition.

The video can be found free on YouTube! Search for Secrets of the Body Farm. It is forty-five minutes long. I strongly recommend you preview the video. It has a few very intense parts (decomposing bodies, maggots) that may be disturbing to younger students!

The video discusses:

• The stages of decomposition
• Some references and examples of the use of entomology in forensics
• How bodies can be found by cadaver dogs and technology
• Research being done to learn about burned bodies
• The study of saw marks on bones
• Facial reconstruction of unknown skulls to find the victim's identity

The video can be shown as an introduction or example for any or all of these topics!

This video guide contains 25 questions that focus students on the most important points. Resource is editable, can be printed or completed digitally!

-- Includes a full KEY! --

Need more Forensics Death Investigation resources?

• Forensics Death Investigation: Notes, Activity and Review - Interactive Google Slides teaches your students about Time Since Death, Manner and Cause of Death, and the job of the Medical Examiner. Includes an activity and Google Form review questions. The resource can be 100% digital, and no prep.
• Estimate Time Since Death - NO PREP! Everything your students need to learn what happens to a body after death, and then use those skills to estimate when Zelda died. Was it accidental death, or murder??
• Secrets of the Body Farm Video Guide - a fun documentary that students always enjoy! The Body Farm, located in TN, is home to a few dozen donated bodies, where Forensic Scientists go to learn about human decomposition. 
• Autopsy Report Activity! There are many ways to use this resource in your class to reinforce learning about autopsies, entomology, cause of death, and time since death. Digital and Print options!
• Forensics Stages of Decay: Learn the five stages of decomposition to determine the time since death (post mortem interval). A great addition to your Forensics Death Investigation unit! This  is designed to be a student independent activity, no direct instruction is needed!
• Forensic Autopsy Medical Examiner Terms: Notes + Activity: Teach the terms used by Forensic Pathologists / Medical Examiners when they perform an Autopsy! Interactive Google Slides, Printable Notes and Hands on Activity!
• BUGS! Forensic Entomology Notes + Activity: Students learn how to measure maggots to determine the time since death! Digital activity - no prep!
• BONES! Forensic Anthropology Death Investigation: Notes + Activity: Teach your students how to be Forensic Anthropologists! Learn to read bones and determine gender, height and age. Then solve a Missing Person Case!

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More Forensic Science resources from Science of Curiosity!

• Evidence Collection Online Interactive - Learn the basics by exploring a crime scene!
• Forensic Photography: Students learn and practice the art of Forensic Photography
• Arson Investigation - NO PREP
• Blood Spatter Lab - Student centered, learn by doing
• Forensic Files Video List - find the perfect Forensic Files video for every topic
• Forensic File Video Guide - FREE
• True Crime Book Project: Increase literacy in your Forensic Science Class!
• Forensic Science Careers Project - NO PREP students choose a career and follow the 100 pt rubric to create a digital poster

***Stay Curious!***