Perspectives on the establishment of a canadian human taphonomic facility: The experience of REST[ES]

Abstract

REST[ES] is the first Canadian human taphonomic facility (HTF) dedicated to research and training relating to human decomposition in a northern temperate climate. The following paper outlines the measures taken to successfully establish, open and operate this novel Canadian HTF with particular focus on: project team and partnerships, facility location, approvals and permits, infrastructure and social acceptability. It is intended that our experience of establishing REST[ES] may serve as an example to help others with the establishment of future HTFs, thus contributing to the expansion in the global accessibility to human decomposition research and training.

Keywords

• Human decomposition
• Forensic taphonomy
• Body donation
• Human ethics
• Social acceptability