The Ohio State University’s Forensic Anthropology Laboratory is led by Dr. Nicholas V. Passalacqua. Dr. Passalacqua has PhD in anthropology and is certified in forensic anthropology by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (Diplomate #115).     
 

The Ohio State University Department of Anthropology 
Forensic Anthropology Laboratory
4042 Smith Laboratory, 174 W 18th Ave
Columbus, OH 43210-1106
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What is forensic anthropology?

Forensic anthropology is a specialization within anthropology which focuses on the search, recovery, and analysis of the human skeleton. Forensic anthropologists routinely assist law enforcement and coroner/medical examiner offices when there is a need to locate human remains and other evidence in outdoor scenes, or to analyze skeletal remains to facilitate an identification and/or contribute to the determination of the cause and manner of death.

What do forensic anthropologists do?

Forensic anthropologists are experts in forensic archaeology as well as the human skeleton.

In the field

When assistance is needed search for remains in outdoor environments and/or recovering human remains and associated evidence from outdoor scenes, forensic anthropologists can provide their expertise to make searches efficient and effective, either locating remains, or ruling out that remains are likely to be found in these areas.

In the lab

When human remains are found without an identity, forensic anthropologists can examine the skeletal remains to generate a biological profile, or estimates of an individual’s age, biological sex, population affinity, and stature. Forensic anthropologists can also compare antemortem and postemortem records, typically radiographs, to facilitate an identification of a presumed individual.

Forensic anthropologists can also contribute to the determination of the cause and manner of death, by analyzing trauma and other modifications to the skeleton.

Interested in graduate school focusing on forensic anthropology? Apply to our program!

All services/fees must be agreed upon prior to service. Deviations from this fee schedule are acceptable if agreed upon prior to service.

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Consult Costs

Human vs Nonhuman – Memorandum: Free of Charge
In Person Consult - No Report - $150
Consult with Report - $200

>Consults refer to preliminary forensic anthropological assessments, not requiring photographs or the application of any specific methods. These may be bone/not bone or human/non-human assessments. These consultations may be via text message, e-mail, or in-person/verbal. Quick preliminary assessments at autopsy of any obvious evidence of trauma is one example of an “Other” verbal consult. Human vs Nonhuman requests will result in very short memorandum-style reports for documentation and record keeping. If a detailed written report is desired, then the “Consult with Report” cost applies in place of the other costs.  

Skeletal Analyses & Report costs

Biological Profile only

Partial to Complete Skeletons - $350
Skull Only - $250  
Isolated Skeletal Elements - $150

Trauma Assessment only

Partial to Complete Skeletons - $350
Skull only - $350
Isolated Skeletal Elements - $200
 

Radiographic ID 

Partial to Complete Skeletons - $200
Skull Only - $200
Isolated Skeletal Elements - $200

Processing

Maceration

Partial to Complete Skeletons - $250
Skull Only - $100
Isolated Skeletal Elements  - $100

Highly Fragmented Reconstruction

Partial to Complete Skeleton - $250
Skull Only - $200
Isolated Skeletal Elements  - $500

The above are additional fees if Dr. Passalacqua has to process remains and dispose of biohazardous waste at the OSU Forensic Anthropology Lab, or if a case involves highly fragmented/burned remains that require extensive reconstruction. These activities add significant time to a case analysis. Services requested will be specified by the agent of the requesting agency and clarified prior to analysis and invoicing. If remains are skeletonized or macerated by another agency, the maceration fee is not applied. 

The above fees represent typical forensic anthropological analyses of skeletal material. Each service has its own fee, which is added together for the case total. For example, a case consisting of a partial skeleton requiring the estimation of the biological profile ($350.00) and a trauma analysis ($350.00) would total $700.00. Services requested will be specified by the agent of the requesting agency and clarified prior to analysis and invoicing. Separate fees are presented for cases only including the skull or cases in which there are only a few isolated skeletal elements. All of these services included a formal report with images. Radiographs will have to be taken by the requesting agency and supplied for analysis. Any additional costs associated with travel or shipping of remains would also be added to the final invoice.  

Search and Recovery Assistance - Does not include travel costs

Search Assistance - No Report - Mileage and Per Diem Only
Search Assistance + Brief Report $200 + Mileage and Per Diem
Scene Recovery Assistance + Full Report $400 + Mileage and Per Diem

Dr. Passalacqua can be available as a sole consultant to assist at scenes, or he can lead a full search and recovery team, with student volunteers as needed. Regardless, the scene will remain in the requesting agency’s jurisdiction, and they will be responsible for the primary scene documentation (e.g., photographs). Mileage and per diem (MPD) are charged at the current federal rate.

Expert Witness Testimony

Testimony (Deposition/Trial) - $300/hr
Pre-Trial Meetings - $100/hr
Preparation/Review Time -  $75/hr (max of 6 hours)
Court Travel & Wait Time - $50/hr + Mileage and Per Diem as applicable

The above represents Dr. Passalacqua’s Expert Witness Testimony Fees.

External Case Reviews

Review of Case Materials - $100/hr (max of 5 hours)
Report  - $200/hr
Meetings  - $100/hr

External case reviews are billed hourly for the time spent reviewing provided case materials and for any arranged meetings. The written case review (report) is a flat rate. Note that the above Expert Witness Testimony fees may apply if the reviews result in a trial or formal testimony.

Announcing a new Continuing Education course: Fragmentary Human Osteology

The goal of this short course is to familiarize students and professionals with the identification of fragmentary human skeletal remains. Emphasis will be placed on identifying and siding both whole bones and fragmentary human bones, as well as differentiating human skeletal remains from non-human skeletal remains. The course involves extensive hands-on opportunities with ethically-sourced real bone fragments, supplemented by detailed lectures, and exemplar presentations in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology.

The course starts May 18, 2026 and is a 5-day course.  Earn a Certificate of Completion from Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences Department of Anthropology for successful completion.

Enroll now! (Registration ends Thursday, April 30, 2026)

For questions about course content or learning objectives, please contact Dr. Nicholas V. Passalacqua.

For questions about enrollment, payment options, technology support, or course records, please contact our Enrollment Support team. Inquiries are typically answered within 24 business hours.