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Undercover Ossuary
The next Jefferson Bass novel, “The Inquisitor’s Key” will be released on May 8, 2012. Authors Jon Jefferson and Dr. Bill Bass have two book-signing events that day, one in the morning and one at night. They start the day at the Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce Speaker Breakfast Series.
The official book release event will be held at 6:00 p.m. on May 8 at the New Hope Center in Oak Ridge. Tickets go on sale on April 2, with proceeds benefiting United Way of Anderson County, Friends of Literacy and the William M. Bass Forensic Anthropology Building. Jennifer Alexander and I are co-emcees for the evening. The exact details about ticket sales are almost finalized and will be listed on BoneZones.com and elsewhere.
Jon Jefferson started a blog last month to “to share behind-the-scenes stories with readers between now and when the book comes out on May 8.” In the U.K., the book’s title will be “The Bones of Avignon,” which reveals a little more about the novel’s plot: “Could the ancient skeleton found hidden in the Palace of the Popes actually be the bones of Jesus?” Christians believe that Jesus ascended into heaven, without leaving a corpse behind. With a sacrilegious slugline to stir things up, I’m sure Jon is hoping for some of the success enjoyed by “The DaVinci Code.”
Dawnie of the Dead
The agenda for my first full meeting as president of the FBI Knoxville Citizens Academy Alumni Association was a hit with the members. Our guest speaker was Dr. Dawnie Steadman of the Forensic Anthropology Department at the University of Tennessee. After Dr. Steadman’s remarks, the group got a tour of the William M. Bass Forensic Anthropology Building, led by none other than Dr. Bass himself.
Dr. Steadman began her presentation by welcoming us to the “House that Bass Built” and telling us about her background. As a specialist in the bioarchaeology of past conflicts, she has traveled the world excavating mass graves and assisting in forensic human rights investigations. In her new role at UT, she has set goals for expanded inter-disciplinary research, technological advances and incentives for ABFA candidates.
The Forensic Anthropology program deals with all aspects of skeletal biology. They train students and professionals in the medico-legal community to respond to the following questions:
- How long ago did the person die?
- How long has the body been there?
- What do the insects tell us? How do we collect them?
- How can we get fingerprints from the deceased?
- How long is DNA viable in tissue?
- What happens when you put a body in _____?
Mobile Cranium
The skull in Dr. Bill Bass’ study is from about 100 years ago. It has hinges that open to show sinus cavities and other details. The skull’s original owner, actually second owner when you count the donor cadaver, was a local doctor who used it as a teaching tool. The inside of the cranium is painted with a representation of arteries and veins.
Susan Seals from BoneZones.com asked me to come to the Bass home to record an introductory video that could be shown at some of his speaking engagements. In it, I ask the questions he hears most often. By answering them on-camera, he can spend more time on the specific topic of the lecture.
Wish Fulfillment
A few days after each “Dinner with the Bone Doctor,” Susan Seals mails me a few snapshots from the event. The pictures are signed by Dr. Bill Bass. This past week I was fortunate to receive a few pictures of myself with Dr. Bass as well as some pictures that I need to give to others.
Melissa Treece is a fan of Patricia Cornwell’s books and sometimes corresponds with the famous author via Twitter. Melissa plans to start reading the novels and the non-fiction books by Dr. Bass and Jon Jefferson. She bought a ticket to the dinner last Monday night and had a fabulous time. I have three autographed pictures for her.
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Amy Sams entered the Star 102.1 Fall Fantasy contest last year. Her entry was picked on Halloween morning and she quickly called in to claim her prize. Her wish was to meet Dr. Bass. The radio station paid for Amy and her mother to attend the dinner. I have two autographed pictures for her.
One Who Presides
Dennis Reedy, president of the FBI Knoxville Citizens Academy Alumni Association, asked for a motion to approve the slate of new officers on Thursday night. The motion was made, seconded and then approved by voice vote. With that, I was elected to be the new president of the group.
The rest of the evening consisted of making plans for the year ahead. Our next meeting will be held in the William M. Bass Forensic Anthropology Building, which should insure a good turnout. Special Agent in Charge Richard Lambert said he would give us a briefing on cyber-terrorism threats at an upcoming meeting.
A few events are already on our calendar. The Alumni Association will help promote the Law Enforcement Memorial Run on May 12. Our annual field trip to FBI Headquarters and Quantico is locked in for August. I found out that one of my responsibilities as chapter president will be to attend the National Citizens Academy Alumni Association annual conference in Denver this September.
On a sad note, we learned of the death of FBI Chief Division Council Martin J. King. We all knew Mr. King from his annual presentation to the Citizens Academy on the legal powers and limitations of the FBI. The Alumni Association voted to make a donation to the memorial fund being set up to benefit his family.
Hip to Be Square
Dr. Bill Bass brings a different set of bones to each “Dinner with the Bone Doctor.” The fourth such event at Echo Bistro & Wine Bar was held last night. Guests enjoyed sea bass and veal while staring at various bones from the Body Farm. I have had the good fortune to serve as emcee for each of the dinners.
The first bone of the evening was a native American skull that was about 400 years old. Dr. Bass could tell that the person’s skull was flattened by a cradleboard during infancy. As he placed the skull on each table in the restaurant, guests grabbed their cameras and cell phones to take a picture. Melissa Treece posted her photo to Twitter right away.
One of the bones came from the neck of a bison. It had a huge hump spine. Dr. Bass compared it to the same bone from the neck of a human. Before the dinner, Susan Seals of the Bone Zones team said to me, “when Dr. Bass holds up the buffalo bone, be sure to mention that they serve bison steaks here at Echo.” When the time came, I grabbed a menu and read aloud: “Bison Strip Steak ‘Denmark,’ broiled to perfection then topped with sautéed shiitake mushrooms, country ham and blue cheese crumbles.”
In the past, Dr. Bass has shown what remains of an artificial hip from a person who was cremated. Last night he showed an artificial hip from someone who decomposed at the Body Farm. The number 31-05D is visible on the pelvis. According to the Body Farm numbering system, the bones came from the 31st body donated in 2005.
Dr. Bass gave a few hints about the next Jefferson Bass novel, “The Inquisitor’s Key,” which will be released on May 8. It involves the Avignon Papacy, the Shroud of Turin and a mysterious set of bones.
Happy Disposition
The opening scene of last Wednesday’s episode of “The Middle” should be enough to earn award nominations for each of the five main cast members. The actors playing the Heck family displayed great comedic timing while driving home from Aunt Ginny’s funeral. Frances Bay, the actress who played Aunt Ginny, died in September. The characters talked about how Aunt Ginny looked less wrinkled laying down. Embalming will often make an elderly person appear younger.
Like the Hecks, my family’s tradition is to choose embalming and burial. In the old days, the question of whether to be buried or cremated rarely came up. With the rise in popularity of cremation, the question is a valid one, as pointed out in a blog on NPR’s website last Thursday. The writer, Barbara J. King, adds a third choice of donating one’s body to science, specifically the Body Farm. Because I sometimes volunteer as an emcee for Bone Zones events, I am often asked if I want my remains to decay at the Body Farm. I respect those who choose differently but I have repeatedly said that I want my remains to be exhumable. I haven’t purchased a cemetery plot but my inclination is to choose one a Catholic cemetery.
A “NIMBY” controversy has erupted over plans for a new crematory in Fountain City. Eric Botts, the manager of the Gentry-Griffey Funeral Chapel was my guest on the public affairs program that aired this morning. You can listen via the podcast link below. We spoke about the controversy, about changes in the funeral industry and about the increased demand for cremations. The people who have complained about the crematory are uninformed. Newer technology means there will be no smoke or odor. In fact, the neighbors won’t notice anything. After the interview, Eric and I exchanged Facebook messages. He invited me to tour the facility once it’s up and running.
Frank Murphy Interviews Eric Botts of Gentry-Griffey Funeral Chapel [ 30:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download-
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