Fate of Jefferson County’s Body Farm Uncertain

A Cadaver Research Project, which has been dubbed Jefferson County’s Body Farm, has lost backing from Carson-Newman University. The project has been the source of some controversy, as neighbors of the proposed location raised concerns regarding environmental safety and property value decrease in the surrounding area. Art Bohanan, a renowned investigator, donated the use of his property in New Market for the Cadaver Research Project for Carson-Newman University. Because there were no guidelines concerning Body Farms in Jefferson County, the Jefferson County Planning Commission denoted the zoning area that would best fit the usage, placing usage of this type in the A1 zone. Though the Carson-Newman project was grandfathered, the County continued to establish guidelines for Cadaver Research Facilities located inside of Jefferson County. Both Bohanan and Carson-Newman University were instrumental in developing appropriate guidelines. Two lawsuits have been filed regarding the Cadaver Research Project, both by Bohanan’s neighbor, Doris Ligon. The most recent suit was filed in September and challenged the site plan for the project. Tim Seals, who heads the Jefferson County Zoning Office, stated that all necessary paperwork was in order for the Cadaver Research Project.

Carson-Newman University Vice Provost, Dr. Kina Mallard, confirmed that the University will not be participating in the Body Farm project. When presented with questions regarding the status of the project and the timeline for the associated graduate degree that was formerly to be a part of the project Mallard responded.

“In view of a faculty member leaving in early summer from a full-time teaching position at Carson-Newman, we decided to broaden our curriculum offerings,” said Dr. Kina Mallard, executive vice president and provost at Carson-Newman University. “This faculty member held the particular expertise in forensic science needed to lead the curriculum piece of the cadaver research site.”

“So as a result, we plan to offer in fall 2014 a different curriculum that will be headed by Dr. Christine Dalton, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Carson-Newman,” said Mallard. “Dr. Dalton will direct a new master’s of science and environmental studies program, which we believe will be well-received by our students,” noted Mallard.

“This will build on our historically strong science program at the University. The chemistry faculty is currently exploring several sites for research in our region. These would not be cadaver research sites since our curriculum plans have now changed as a result of the faculty member leaving,” she said.

It now appears that the life of the project lies with Bohanan and the Board that was formed to oversee the Body Farm. Meanwhile, Jefferson County will answer the allegations of the most recent law suite and defend their position. Carson-Newman University was listed in the suit filed on September 9, 2013, as was the Jefferson County Planning Commission and Art Bohanan, among others.