Beyond the Body Farm

Written by Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson

Narrated by Tom McKeon

The Dead Do Tell Tales...

A pioneer in forensic anthropology, Dr. Bill Bass created the world's first laboratory dedicated to the study of human decomposition. Bill Bass's research at ""the Body Farm"" has revolutionized forensic science, helping police crack cold cases and pinpoint time since death. In this riveting book, the bone sleuth explores the rise of modern forensic science, using cases from his career to take readers into the real world of ""CSI.""

Some of Bill Bass's cases rely on the simplest of tools and techniques, while other cases hinge on sophisticated techniques Dr. Bass could not have imagined when he began his career: using computer data and video image processing to help identify murder victims; harnessing scanning electron microscopy to detect trace elements in knife wounds; and extracting DNA from a long-buried corpse, only to find that the female murder victim may have been mistakenly identified a quarter-century before. Witty and engaging, Bass dissects the methods used by homicide investigators every day, leading readers on an extraordinary journey into the high-tech science that it takes to crack a case.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Sep 4, 2007
• ISBN: 9780061554353

Bill Bass

Dr. Bill Bass is a world-renowned forensic anthropologist, the founder of the University of Tennessee's ""Body Farm,"" and the author of more than two hundred scientific publications.

Reviews for Beyond the Body Farm

[MissDM Divine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First heard of the Body Farm when I read the printed version of "Stiff." Delighted last night when I came across this audiobook about the famous place and it's founder.

The narrator is such a perfect match for the story. It feels like it's the author's actual voice. Really adds to the experience.

Though I'm only 1/3 of the way through the book so far, it was definitely worth the purchase.

[caytlain hewitt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator did a good job. It's a very interesting book, especially if you like true crime stories

[michelle M Walters · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So interesting and well written
I listened to it in one sitting. I’m looking for more books by Dr Bass now.

[Longbow · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Tedious.

[Amy Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Extremely interesting! Highly recommend if you enjoy crime related topics.

[carol420 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jefferson Bass, (two different people by the way), has written several very good books revolving around the Body Farm in Tennessee. This is one of the two books about the real Body Farm written by Dr. Bass. Fans of the fictional books will enjoy the insight into this unusual place.

[bellafoxx · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Patricia Cornwell wrote a book called The Body Farm, this book is about the REAL body farm where forensic research is done. Dr. Bass has spent many years researching bones and the effects of the elements on dead bodies. His expertise has helped convict murderers, identified loved ones and solved mysteries.

He recounts not only what goes on at the Farm but also many of the cases he has been on. He gives credit where credit is due, citing work done by other scientists and his students. His specialty is bones, he has also worked with teeth and his students have studied bugs, tool marks on bones and many things to help solve the cases that come their way.

This book did not delve deeply into his personal life, he does make brief mention, such as, “I didn’t go on this case because my wife at the time was battling cancer ….” and “I have to give credit to my third wife …. because she made me do ….”. I think his other book Death’s Acre is more of a memoir than this, he refers to it and now it is on my To Be Read list.

Dr. Bass writes in a very informal manner, he explains things so the layperson can understand. It could be he learned this from his years testifying and having to make juries understand. He doesn’t go beyond his knowledge or experience, he admits when he doesn’t understand some aspect of forensic science. The result is an informative enjoyable book that I recommend.

[bryndahlquis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good book on real-life forensic science.

[bunnycates · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was definitely and interesting read. Reading exactly how my cousin died broke my heart, and I really wish they hadn't put the photos in of her. Im sure that is just a personal reaction though and has no bearing on the readability of this book.The book promises an in depth look at the beginning of forensics, and it delivers just that. Definitely interesting.

[shelleyraec · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another fascinating book.

[kanata_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure if I found this book quite simple and a rehash of tried and true stories because I'm a fan of this genre or because it simply is indeed a repeat of relatively commonly known material. [author: Bill Bass] is the creator of the "Body Farm" and the forensic science that has spurred on countless authors like [author: Patricia Cornwell], [author: Kathy Reichs], countless CSI t.v. spin offs, so it is interesting to hear his experiences on the subject. Yet I found this book a tad boring and the author comes across as a bit egotistical (watch him know all things; list all the people he has taught; the brilliant ideas he has). It was a decent afternoon's reading but nothing to get too excited about.

[missconstantreader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While this novel is very informative and entertaining, I can't help but notice from the little comments here and there in the novel: this guy is a racist! And it's not from the section which describes in detail the difference between the 3 master races.

[the_awesome_opossum · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this age of CSI, everybody loves forensics when it's used in puzzling, unorthodox investigations. Beyond the Body Farm is more of the same. It was written by Bill Bass, a leader in forensics and the creator of the famous Body Farm at the University of Tennessee. He writes about a dozen of his most interesting cases, the myriad tools and unusual approaches he has had to take over the years. He writes for an audience that has maybe a passing understanding of forensics (again, probably from CSI) and all of his stories are fascinating. Bass can go off on tangents sometimes, and he gets a little bit repetitive in some of his explanations, but stil a really interesting book.

[bookmarque · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A decent casebook with a non-sensational bent to it. Seems that most people in this line of work automatically showcase their most TV-moment-worthy cases and their solitary brilliance in bringing a case to conclusion. Instead, Bass focuses on teamwork and emerging technology that made previously dead end cases resolvable. The tone is nicely self-depracatory while not letting us forget his unifying presence. Dr. Bass is more modest and has a dry sense of humor as well. An enjoyable read.