Who We Are
Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory is a forensic taphonomic research facility at George Mason University. Forensic taphonomy is the study of postmortem processes that affect the preservation and recovery of the remains. A detailed understanding of taphonomy can help elucidate the circumstances surrounding the death event and the events that followed. Taphonomic effects of the remains vary significantly from region to region. Furthermore, current methods of estimating time since death or postmortem interval based on taphonomic modifications suffer from inaccuracies and unpredictability as decomposition rates can also be highly variable and region-specific. Mason’s Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory is the only human taphonomic facility in the Mid-Atlantic region and the Northeast of the United States.
Forensic Taphonomic Facility
The forensic taphonomic facility was first proposed in 2018, in recognition of the need for a forensic anthropology research facility in the mid-Atlantic region that contributes to a deeper understanding of the geographic variation in forensic taphonomy as well as develops practical forensic applications that aid federal and local agencies in the Washington metropolitan area.
Ongoing research at Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory focuses on the location and identification of human remains, establishing baseline data on geographic variation in scavenger activities and decomposition rates and progression.
Mason FSRTL Location
Located in the heart of Manassas, Virginia, the Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory at Mason’s Science and Technology Campus spans an expansive five acres. This secure, enclosed woodland sanctuary is home to a diverse array of plant life and wildlife indigenous to the Mid-Atlantic. While the Science and Technology Campus welcomes the public, access to the Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory is restricted to authorized personnel to ensure privacy and the integrity of our research.
Questions
For answers to common inquiries and additional details, kindly visit our Questions page located in the upper right corner, where a comprehensive collection of frequently asked questions is readily available to assist you.
For personalized assistance or inquiries not covered, we invite you to contact us directly at fsrtl@gmu.edu. Additionally, your interest in furthering the scope of our research is greatly appreciated.
We invite you to explore opportunities for involvement, which includes learning about the body donation process and other forms of support that are instrumental to our mission. Your contributions make a profound impact on the legacy of innovation here at Mason.