Tag Archives: science

Turin Cycle

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Frank Murphy

Dr. Kelly Kearse inspired my son to continue studying chemistry after high school. Dr. Kearse is one of the best teachers at Knoxville Catholic High School. I’m disappointed that I didn’t make it to Dr. Kearse’s presentation to the Nicodemus Club at … Continue reading →

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Bone Appétit

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Frank Murphy

Dr. Bill Bass did something different for Monday’s “Dinner with the Bone Doctor” at Echo Bistro & Wine Bar. He started his forensic lecture with a quiz. Before the guests arrived, Dr. Bass placed a bone on each table along … Continue reading →

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Hazari Materials Team

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Frank Murphy

A crowd was gathered around Dr. Al Hazari on Market Square on Sunday. The chemistry professor had a table at the HoLa Festival and was putting on a very cool demonstration, literally. When my wife and I approached, Dr. Hazari was … Continue reading →

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Ranch Dressing

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Frank Murphy

A lengthy article in Oxford American about the Body Ranch at Texas State University in San Marcos pointed out a huge difference between it and the Body Farm in Knoxville. The identity of one of the donors was revealed in a … Continue reading →

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The Will O’ The Wasp

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Frank Murphy

The more I learn about figs, the more I realize how little I know about them. My tree has five little figs on it. There are three on one branch and two on another. I used to have six but … Continue reading →

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Pictured Beside Skeletons

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Frank Murphy

Tennessee Life airs each month on East Tennessee PBS. Host Vickie Lawson and producer Stephanie Aldrich invited me to interview famed forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Bass for the August episode of the show.   Dr. Bass and I recorded a sit-down interview … Continue reading →

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Previewing Bass Seminar

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Frank Murphy

 Dr. Bill Bass has granted me about a dozen interviews, most of which were for the radio. On Friday, we recorded an interview for an upcoming broadcast on East Tennessee PBS. I’ll have more details about the show in the next … Continue reading →

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Fox Valley of the Shadow of Death

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Frank Murphy

Bodies decompose more slowly in the cold. So how do you establish the time since death of a murder victim in Appleton, Wisconsin, when most of the scientific data comes from Knoxville, Tennessee? You can estimate decomposition rates using “degree … Continue reading →

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Magna Carter

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Frank Murphy

Fr. David Carter was actually transferred to Saints Peter and Paul Basilica over a month ago. The parishioners of All Saints Catholic Parish had a chance to say goodbye last night. Fr. David celebrated the 5:00 p.m. Mass at All Saints. There … Continue reading →

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Turtle Power

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Frank Murphy

Forest Park has been called the heart of St. Louis. The huge public park was dedicated in 1876. It was the site of the World’s Fair and several Olympic events in 1904. For the past year-and-a-half, Forest Park has been … Continue reading →

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Gone and Dead

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Frank Murphy

Plans for a new Body Farm are stalled but the original is doing just fine. About a year ago, I visited the property that Art Bohanan wants to donate to Carson-Newman University. Since then, Dr. B.J. Ellington, who was going … Continue reading →

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The He Man League

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Frank Murphy

Fortunately Congress prevented a helium crisis that had me concerned about the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The lineup for the parade won’t be announced until October 28 but I couldn’t wait to find out which new balloons will debut this … Continue reading →

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School of Rock

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Frank Murphy

The students at Knoxville Catholic High School star in a lip-dub video of Katy Perry’s song “Roar.” My wife and I recognized some of the kids from their appearance in a play we watched three years ago at Sacred Heart … Continue reading →

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Anna-lytical

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Frank Murphy

The Google alert that I have for the Body Farm has been active this month. Obviously most of the updates are about the new Jefferson Bass novel, Cut to the Bone and the authors’ various book-signing appearances. One day last … Continue reading →

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