George Mason Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory

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George Mason Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory George Mason's Forensic Science Research & Training Laboratory (FSRTL) advances forensic taphonomy and anthropology.

This page also highlights research from the Yim Bio & Forensic Anthro Lab. 🌿💀🔬

❗️All human remains shown are casts/models

Bringing forensic research into the field. 🦴🔬Yesterday, Dr. Yim represented the FSRTL at the Virginia Homicide Investiga...
10/01/2026

Bringing forensic research into the field. 🦴🔬

Yesterday, Dr. Yim represented the FSRTL at the Virginia Homicide Investigators Association (VHIA) Annual Conference in Virginia Beach.

During the presentation, we shared updates on ongoing FSRTL research and training initiatives with detectives and agents from across the Commonwealth.

Connecting our research and educational programs with the investigators and professionals who apply forensic science in real-world cases is an important part of our mission. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our work, learn from practitioners, and continue strengthening the connection between forensic research and practice.

Thank you to VHIA for the invitation!

Earlier today Dr. Yim presented at the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning 2026 Innovations in Teaching and Learnin...
09/24/2026

Earlier today Dr. Yim presented at the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning 2026 Innovations in Teaching and Learning (ITL) Conference, sharing how interactive online 3D models can be used to supplement hands-on laboratory learning in forensic anthropology.

By giving students access to virtual skeletal models outside the laboratory, we provide additional opportunities to review anatomy, practice observations, and reinforce concepts before and after hands-on activities.

Happy to share our approach with fellow educators and continue exploring how technology can support hands-on forensic science education. 🔬🦴

Coinciding with , Dr. Yim visited the Loudoun County Public Library yesterday to talk about the work happening at the F...
09/23/2026

Coinciding with , Dr. Yim visited the Loudoun County Public Library yesterday to talk about the work happening at the FSRTL! 🔬🦴

During the presentation, Dr. Yim shared an overview of our research, discussed why this work matters to forensic science and the broader community, and highlighted our efforts to provide hands-on, practical training for the next generation of forensic scientists.

We’re grateful to the Loudoun County Public Library for the opportunity to connect with the community and share more about the science behind our work!

To kick off National Forensic Science Week, we’re highlighting the foundation that makes so much of our work at the FSRT...
09/21/2026

To kick off National Forensic Science Week, we’re highlighting the foundation that makes so much of our work at the FSRTL possible: body donation. 🦴🔬

Through the Virginia State Anatomical Program (VSAP), individuals can choose to donate their bodies to support forensic science research, education, and hands-on training at George Mason University | GMU College of Science at George Mason. Their contributions allow our students and researchers to study human decomposition, evaluate forensic methods, develop new approaches, and better prepare for the realities of medicolegal and investigative work.

Most importantly, we begin this week by recognizing our donors and their families. Their generosity has a lasting impact on the education of future forensic scientists and on research intended to strengthen forensic practice.💚💛

09/15/2026

GPR can’t “see” a buried body. So what does it actually detect? 📡🦴

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) sends electromagnetic pulses into the ground and records energy reflected from underground contrasts. What we see in the data are anomalies: patterns that may indicate changes or disturbances below the surface.

But interpreting those anomalies isn’t always straightforward. Soil composition, moisture, and other site conditions can affect how the radar signal travels and what appears in the data.

At the FSRTL, we’re studying how these factors influence GPR performance and how the technology can be used to support the detection of clandestine graves.

GPR detects anomalies, not bodies. 👀

🎨 Graphics by Noah Smith

Environmental conditions can substantially influence how remains change after death. 🦴🌿Factors such as temperature, mois...
09/09/2026

Environmental conditions can substantially influence how remains change after death. 🦴🌿

Factors such as temperature, moisture, pH, biological activity, and oxygen availability can all affect the rate and pathway of decomposition.

That variability is one reason postmortem interval estimation is so challenging: the same amount of time can produce very different outcomes under different conditions.

At the FSRTL, studying these interacting environmental effects helps us better understand decomposition in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Happy Labor Day from the FSRTL!Today, we recognize the dedication, skill, and hard work of the people who make our resea...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from the FSRTL!

Today, we recognize the dedication, skill, and hard work of the people who make our research, education, training, and professional partnerships possible.

We’re especially grateful for our students, faculty, staff, collaborators, law enforcement and medicolegal partners, and everyone who contributes their time and expertise to advancing forensic science.

Wishing everyone a safe and restful Labor Day!

What happens after someone donates their body to the FSRTL? 🦴🔬Body donation supports far more than a single research pro...
09/04/2026

What happens after someone donates their body to the FSRTL? 🦴🔬

Body donation supports far more than a single research project. From intake and placement to longitudinal documentation, skeletal preparation, and continued teaching and research, each donor contributes to multiple stages of forensic science education and discovery.

Our students are involved throughout this process, gaining hands-on experience in documentation, data collection, skeletal processing, and curation while contributing to research designed to improve forensic practice.

Most importantly, none of this work would be possible without the generosity of our donors and their families. We are deeply grateful for the lasting contributions they make to research, education, and the training of future forensic scientists. 💚💛

🌎 From the field to the classroom and now to law enforcement leaders from around the country!Our affiliated faculty memb...
08/27/2026

🌎 From the field to the classroom and now to law enforcement leaders from around the country!

Our affiliated faculty member, Professor Mary Weldon, recently presented at the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc., Session 299, sharing her expertise in postmortem examination procedures and forensic death scene investigation.

As a practicing medicolegal death investigator, Professor Weldon brings extensive real-world experience directly into FSRTL’s research and training programs. Her perspective helps us ensure that the work we do remains grounded in the needs and realities of forensic practice.

We’re grateful to have Professor Weldon as part of the FSRTL team and excited to see her expertise shared with an international audience! 🔬🦴

We’re excited to share that Dr. Yim will be presenting at the 2026 Virginia Homicide Investigators Association Annual Tr...
08/25/2026

We’re excited to share that Dr. Yim will be presenting at the 2026 Virginia Homicide Investigators Association Annual Training Conference this September in Virginia Beach!

The conference brings together homicide investigators and other law enforcement professionals from across Virginia to exchange knowledge, case experience, and emerging approaches in criminal investigation.

Dr. Yim will represent George Mason’s Forensic Science Program and FSRTL, sharing updates on our current research and training initiatives and discussing how our work can support homicide investigations, search and recovery, forensic anthropology, and other investigative needs.

Professional engagement like this is an important part of our mission: connecting research with the practitioners who apply forensic science in real-world investigations.

We look forward to the conversation and to continuing to build strong partnerships with Virginia’s investigative community. 🦴🔬

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Manassas, VA

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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