Coordinator of the Forensic Anthropology Center

• Please Read the Forensic Anthropology Donation Program Policy. (.pdf)

• Donation of your body to the Department of Anthropology does not prevent donation of other tissues or organs.

• We do not accept donations in cases where the individual has contracted the AIDS virus, any Hepatitis (A,B, or C), tuberculosis (TB) or antibiotic resistant bacterial infections such as MRSA.

• There is no cost to you or your family for the donation of your body to the Department of Anthropology if you are in Tennessee and within 200 miles of Knoxville. However, if you are more than 200 miles from Knoxville, or outside the state of Tennessee (regardless of mileage) at the time of your death, your family will be responsible for arranging transportation of your body to our facility. Please contact a local funeral service to discuss the necessary arrangements.

• If you wish to donate your body, please read the body donation packet (.pdf). Complete and return the body donation document and biological questionnaire. We will need the original, signed body donation document mailed back to us. Two signatures of witnesses are required, but notary is not required. We suggest making multiple copies of the Body Donation Document to be maintained by the donor's next-of-kin, attorney, or physician. We also recommend that you seek the advice of a private attorney to assure that the document accomplishes your intent and is consistent with any existing testamentary documents. The Biological Questionnaire is very helpful in order to have documentation of known medical conditions if at all possible. All information is considered confidential.

• If you wish to donate your body, please print out and complete the .PDF Donor Card to keep in your records and assist you in making your wishes known.

• If you donate your body, please send a photograph of yourself (via mail) to keep in our records. A frontal view of the face is preferred (similar to a passport or driver's license photo), but any photograph is acceptable. We request a photograph so research involving facial reconstruction and photographic superimposition as a means for identifying unknown individuals may be conducted on skeletal remains of known individuals.

• If you wish to donate your body, please complete and return the body donation form, the biological questionnaire, and a photograph.

Detail from Vesalius, De Humani Corporis Fabrica Liber, 1543