Madeleine Wythe

When an unidentified body is found it is up to a forensic artist to aid in getting a positive (or negative) ID on the victim. A combination of specialised techniques must be effectively learned for this to be successful. Forensic art students are taught using a combination of different pedagogies to achieve mastering post-mortem depiction and forensic photography, however there is often one key element missing from their education - the decomposing body. A life size, realistic body has been created to aid in the teaching of some of the most important forensic art techniques. To demonstrate how this manikin can be used, a post-mortem depiction and forensic photography following the industry standard guidelines have been completed. This manikin replicates some of the physical changes that could be expected to happen to a decomposing human body, such as livor mortis, abdominal bloating, pallor mortis and marbling, liquefaction and exuding of bodily fluids and some insect activity. 

It is also important that forensic students practise working with a body in this state as they are usually only exposed to embalmed cadavers in a sanitised laboratory setting, therefore this manikin should promote the ability to deal with graphic scenes and maintain a respectful demeanour.