Student Research Investigates Relationship Between Agricultural Practices and Decomposition

Student research investigates relationship between agricultural practices and decomposition. Kristen Collins is burying pigs in her father’s farm fields. The soft, easily dug soil in agricultural fields appeals to those attempting to conceal a clandestine burial, but how do agricultural practices (chemicals, the mechanical effects of farm equipment, the less consolidated soil) affect decomposition? Kristen buried a pig in the field and a control pig outside of the field. She will exhume both in the fall, comparing the rate of decomposition. Stay tuned for results!!