"The gift of one's body is an invaluable contribution to the education of future forensic scientists and ultimately, the advancement of science."
The Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State accepts body donations for scientific research purposes under the Universal Anatomical Gift Act. The areas of research conducted with donated bodies will include reconstructing the postmortem interval to determine time since death and related studies in human decomposition. The overall aim of this type of research is to assist law enforcement agents and the medicolegal community in their investigations.
If you would like to will your body to the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State, please download the following forms, discuss them with your family, and contact us with any questions you might have. If you would like more information about the program before you make a commitment to body donation, do not hesitate to contact us! Please call Dr. Jerry Melbye, Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at 512-245-2472 with any questions or concerns you might have.
Please complete the documents and questionnaires and forward them by email to Stephanie Sonnier at
ss45@txstate.edu, or mail the completed forms to:
Stephanie Sonnier
Texas State University - San Marcos
Grant Secretary/Dept. of Anthropology
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
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