Proposed Institute for Forensic Taphonomy in Kingsville

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In May 2025, the Town of Kingsville and the University of Windsor formed a partnership that offers students valuable hands-on learning and gives the Town access to fresh ideas, innovative problem‑solving, and support for community research.

Through this partnership, Kingsville has been given the option to become home to a research facility that will offer opportunities for research and training to help the search and recovery of victims in missing persons, homicide, mass disaster, and war crime cases.

The proposed Southwestern Institute for Forensic Taphonomy (SWIFT) is an outdoor forensic laboratory that is unique to Ontario. Forensic taphonomy is the study of the processes by which the human body degrades after death. The proposed project conducts this important research using human donors who donate through the generous act of body bequeathal. Forensic taphonomy facilities are important places of learning, research and training, and play a significant role in medico-legal death investigations.

The proposed project would be a partnership between the University of Windsor Faculty of Science, Western University Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the Town of Kingsville. It would be led by Dr. Shari Forbes, who has established outdoor forensic laboratories in Australia and Quebec, and is a respected expert in forensic taphonomy.

About the Facility

SWIFT will be a secure facility located in private woodland on the town limits of Kingsville. The proposed location has restricted access and will be further secured by opaque fencing, security cameras and regular security patrols. It will be located at least 1 km from the nearest access road, ensuring it is not visible to passing traffic or surrounding dwellings. The facility will be accessed only by authorized users, including graduate students, academic researchers, and partners such as coroners, police, fire, emergency services, forensic scientists, and the military.

Community Consultation

The Town and University are hosting a joint Public Information Session, led by the University of Windsor, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre, 103 Park Street, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The community is encouraged to come out and ask questions, share comments or concerns, and engage with University faculty, emergency services personnel, health officials and Town staff.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on this project page, and ask questions through the open forum.

In May 2025, the Town of Kingsville and the University of Windsor formed a partnership that offers students valuable hands-on learning and gives the Town access to fresh ideas, innovative problem‑solving, and support for community research.

Through this partnership, Kingsville has been given the option to become home to a research facility that will offer opportunities for research and training to help the search and recovery of victims in missing persons, homicide, mass disaster, and war crime cases.

The proposed Southwestern Institute for Forensic Taphonomy (SWIFT) is an outdoor forensic laboratory that is unique to Ontario. Forensic taphonomy is the study of the processes by which the human body degrades after death. The proposed project conducts this important research using human donors who donate through the generous act of body bequeathal. Forensic taphonomy facilities are important places of learning, research and training, and play a significant role in medico-legal death investigations.

The proposed project would be a partnership between the University of Windsor Faculty of Science, Western University Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the Town of Kingsville. It would be led by Dr. Shari Forbes, who has established outdoor forensic laboratories in Australia and Quebec, and is a respected expert in forensic taphonomy.

About the Facility

SWIFT will be a secure facility located in private woodland on the town limits of Kingsville. The proposed location has restricted access and will be further secured by opaque fencing, security cameras and regular security patrols. It will be located at least 1 km from the nearest access road, ensuring it is not visible to passing traffic or surrounding dwellings. The facility will be accessed only by authorized users, including graduate students, academic researchers, and partners such as coroners, police, fire, emergency services, forensic scientists, and the military.

Community Consultation

The Town and University are hosting a joint Public Information Session, led by the University of Windsor, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre, 103 Park Street, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The community is encouraged to come out and ask questions, share comments or concerns, and engage with University faculty, emergency services personnel, health officials and Town staff.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on this project page, and ask questions through the open forum.

Discussions: All (1) Open (1)

  • Open Forum

    6 days ago
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    Have Your Say!

    The Town of Kingsville believes in the importance of open communication and respectful debate. We encourage all residents to participate in our open forum and discuss the prosed institute for forensic taphonomy. Administrative staff, University of Windsor personnel, and members of council are reading through comments to gain insight into overall public sentiment, but due to limited staff resources, we are not able to answer every question. We appreciate your understanding and valuable input. 

    Have a request?

    Please do not submit service requests through our HaveYourSayKingsville portal, instead, email requests@kingsville.ca so we can properly process and prioritize your request. To contact Council directly, email council@kingsville.ca.

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Page published: 19 Mar 2026, 02:41 PM