Professor Shari L. Forbes (born 15 October 1977) is an Australian and Canadian forensic scientist and researcher. She is a thanatology expert on the decomposition of human bodies. She created a body farm in Australia and between 2019 and 2022 established a similar facility in Canada, connected to the Forensic Science department at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR).^[1] As of January 2023, she is a full professor in chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Windsor, and is hoping to start the first body farm in Ontario in the coming years.^[2]

Forbes was born in 1977 in Brewarrina.^[3] Her family were graziers where the death of animals was routine. She completed her schooling at Hornsby Girls' High School in Sydney.^[4] Her first degree was in Applied Chemistry and Forensic Science and she went on to a science based doctorate.^[5]

In 2005 she was involved in developing a forensic science course at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. In 2011 she left to take up work in Australia.^[6] She became a Professor at the University of Sydney.^[5]

Up to 2018 she was involved in creating the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (Australia's first body farm) where she was involved with research into decomposing bodies.^[6][7]

In 2018 she became the Canada 150 research chair in thanatology at UQTR. Her seven-year research programme was funded at $350,000 per year and the university met the cost ($350,000) of Canada's first body farm.^[6] The nearest similar facility was one at Northern Michigan University, but Forbes was specifically targeting a forest based site.^[6] The new body farm is at Bécancour and its correct name is the "Secure Site for Research in Thanatology" (or REST[ES], in French).^[8][9] As of 2023 she left UQTR and is now a full professor in chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Windsor.

Forbes is a fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales.^[10]