The Ohio State University reported on Apr. 2 that its forensic anthropology major has grown from five students at its start in 2023 to around 100 students currently.
This increase highlights a rising interest in the field and the university’s response by expanding resources and opportunities for both students and professionals. The department has opened a new forensic anthropology lab and hired Nicholas Passalacqua to lead the program.
“We had five students in the major the first year,” said W. Scott McGraw, chair of the anthropology department. “Now we’re up to 100.” McGraw described Passalacqua as central to the discipline, saying, “Nick is the guy. We’re very fortunate to have him here. He founded the subject journal, he wrote the textbook, he’s really the focal point of forensic anthropology.”
Since joining Ohio State in 2024, Passalacqua started Forensic Anthropology Services and Training (FAST), which allows outside agencies to request help with identifying human remains for a fee. “FAST represents our consulting arm,” he said. “When casework pops up, FAST allows us to accept a case and work on it, for a fee.” These fees support research activities such as attending conferences or buying equipment.
Passalacqua noted that his lab is unique in Ohio: he is currently “the only certified forensic anthropologist with an active forensic anthropology laboratory in the state,” often working with law enforcement agencies or coroners on cases involving human remains.
Fieldwork also serves as hands-on teaching for students: “We’ll get a call, ‘Hey, we found some human remains, can you come and make sure we found all of them?’ In those instances, we try to bring students with us,” Passalacqua said.
FAST also offers short courses open to non-Ohio State participants; one upcoming course will focus on fragmentary human osteology using ethically sourced bone collections for practical learning experiences.
The university supports academics through facilities like Wexner Center for the Arts and Recreation and Physical Activity Center according to its official website. Community engagement includes fundraising initiatives for pediatric cancer research and global service trips according to its official website.
Ohio State operates six campuses across Ohio along with Extension offices statewide according to its official website. It also pursues affordable education, innovative research projects and outreach efforts according to its official website.
Reflecting on his work reuniting families with loved ones’ remains or returning bodies after conflicts abroad decades later, Passalacqua said: “I find it rewarding… Not only is it a humanitarian mission where you’re giving back but you’re giving back through scientific inquiry.”
McGraw expressed confidence about continued interest: “Nick’s been here just about a year and a half… You’re leveraging so much history, so much reputation. This is the kind of thing that people will just love.”
