The broadcaster, which last year screened the first televised autopsy, will break another television taboo by conducting a detailed examination of human decomposition.

Leading scientists will supervise the experiment, with Channel 4 saying that the results of Dust to Dust would help forensic pathologists in their investigations.

The experiment would take place in a “secure and secret location”, would last for several months and would need full consent of the donor and the donor’s family. But developments would not be shown live on Channel 4 in case Big Brother viewers found it “boring”.

Richard Shepherd, senior forensic pathologist and president of the British Association in Forensic Medicine, will design and supervise the experiment. He said: “In the UK we are hampered by the fact that the only reliable data available on human decomposition has been collected by scientists in the US.”

Dr Shepherd worked on the Sarah Payne case and believes that further research on decomposed bodies would help in cases such as hers in terms of establishing times of death.

Last week, Channel 4 was criticised by three former controllers, including Sir Jeremy Isaacs, founding chief executive, for pursuing salacious programmes at the expense of its public service remit.

And John Beyer, the director of the watchdog body Mediawatch UK, said: “It’s one thing to have a scientific experiment but quite another to have it shown on TV for all of us to gawp at.”

Kevin Lygo, director of television at Channel 4, defended the idea. “It’s an absolutely valid subject to examine death and see what happens to the body.There will be nothing salacious about it.” He added: “We don’t mind controversy.”

In Britain, decomposition tests have been carried out only on pigs.

Channel 4 continues its battle for ratings with Anatomy for Beginners, a four-part series in which Gunther von Hagens performs human dissection, filmed in a lecture theatre in Germany.

But the broadcaster lightens its winter schedule with the arrival of The Simpsons, poached from BBC Two, and a Celebrity Big Brother.

Mr Lygo said Channel 4 had gone back to the principles laid down by Sir Jeremy for its new schedule.

There will be a dramatisation of the death of the MoD weapons scientist David Kelly, written by Peter Kosminsky with Mark Rylance playing the lead role.

Channel 4 said the film, which had been made without the co-operation of the Kelly family, would portray a Downing Street machine willing to go to any lengths to protect the Prime Minister.

In other programmes, Jamie Oliver will attempt to improve school dinners for 20,000 children in South London and the Oscar-winning film director Baz Luhrmann will help 20 young people from Harlesden, North London, stage a production of Romeo and Juliet.

The broadcaster has outbid the BBC for Michael Moore’s documentary Farenheit 9/11 which it will screen with other breakthrough films in the genre, including Super Size Me and Capturing The Friedmans.

Channel 4 has just under 10per cent of the share of total viewing and is hoping to surpass BBC Two, which is losing younger viewers, through The Simpsons and more controversial programmes.

Julie Burchill’s novel Sugar Rush, about a schoolgirl lesbian, is being turned into a late-night drama. The columnist said: “I am pleased that Channel 4 has seen fit to broadcast my perverted little work. I happily anticipate outrage from Middle England and fan mail from underage girls.”

Chris Morris, the comedian behind Brass Eye, returns next year and Channel 4 will screen a week of programmes themed The Dark Side of Porn.

• Potential body donors are invited to call 020 7251 2512

  DEBATE
  
  How should TV channels improve ratings? Send your e-mails to debate@thetimes.co.uk

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Computer warriors pay for far-away mercenaries
• Divorce rate falls to 26-year low
• Boris adviser says Olympians tainted with blood