Greene County Deputies Conduct Forensic Burial Training Using Deer Carcasses
WILLARD, Mo — Greene County Sheriff’s deputies sharpened their forensic investigation skills this week with a specialized training exercise held at Willard High School.
Detectives worked in teams to excavate and analyze skeletal remains and evidence from simulated burial sites on the school grounds. In place of human remains, deer carcasses were employed, combined with buried objects like metal and electronics to replicate authentic crime scenes.
These deer had been intentionally buried months earlier, back in March, to allow natural decomposition processes to occur. Using deer in forensic training is practical and biologically relevant, as deer bones and tissue decompose in ways comparable to human remains, providing realistic field experience.
Forensic Techniques Applied as in Real Cases
Deputy Neal Kasler explained that investigators approached the exercise with the same rigor as an actual forensic case. Procedures included comprehensive photography, grid-based mapping of the dig site, careful soil sifting, and meticulous evidence packaging.
- Photographing the scene from multiple angles
- Establishing a grid system for precise mapping
- Sifting through soil to recover small evidence
- Properly bagging and labeling all findings
Kasler emphasized that these methods align with best practices typically employed in recovering buried human remains.
Educational Partnership Engages Students in Forensic Science
This hands-on training was part of a collaboration between the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Willard High School’s science department. Forensics instructor Brandon Ridder noted the exercise allowed students to observe professional investigators conducting real-world forensic recovery operations.
“Our students witnessed the systematic approach to locating bodies, recovering evidence, and preserving crucial materials,” Ridder remarked. “This partnership provides invaluable experiential learning guided by skilled professionals.”
Multiple science classes participated in the event, which had been planned over several months. Deputy Kasler credited the school district for helping craft realistic scenarios that simulate challenging forensic investigations.
Wildlife and Forensic Sciences Intersect in Training
Utilizing deer carcasses offers an effective and ethical alternative for forensic training. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), common in Missouri, have skeletal structures and tissue decomposition rates suitable for replicating buried human remains during forensic examinations.
Such exercises enhance investigative skills critical for solving crimes while providing students direct exposure to applied science techniques involving local wildlife biology.
Additional reporting and sources from: Greene County Deputies dig up dead deer for forensic burial training
