The Yarramundi body farm, or Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) facility, is expected to begin operations this year.
The ‘‘farm’’, which will analyse and research how human corpses decompose, was announced four months ago.
It is also the first body farm in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.
Interest is high; more than 30 people have already offered to donate their bodies to the facility.
The 200 by 250 metre body farm lies within a 49-hectare site in Springwood Road, Yarramundi near Lynchs Creek.
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) owns the site and will operate the farm, headed by UTS forensics professor Shari Forbes.
Professor Forbes said the facility would be well isolated from other properties, fully fenced and constantly monitored by CCTV.
She also said each corpse would be covered with a grate to prevent scavengers disturbing the body and the remains would later be returned to families for burial or cremation, depending on the deceased’s last wishes.
Such research can help identify when and how people died, assisting in accident and murder inquiries.
The Yarramundi body farm expects it could examine as many as six corpses within the next year, depending on when its first donor dies.
Bodies will be left exposed or buried in shallow graves.
- With thanks to Fairfax Media’s Julie Power.
