HARRISBURG, PA – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) has embarked on a forensic anthropology project alongside Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and the Dauphin County Coroner (DCC) to bring closure to cold cases involving unidentified human remains.
In 2024, Professor Carrie Wise, Instructor of Forensics at Harrisburg University, was approached by representatives at HACC to perform anthropological estimates on its human bone collection. This collaborative effort seeks to assess and document human remains that have been in storage for over 50 years with no paperwork or identification.
The Dauphin County Coroner (DCC) has granted HACC permission to perform these estimates and analyses and to prepare samples for future biological testing and possible determination of ethnicity, sex, and/or identification. The DCC has approved HU’s work in support of this project with HACC; two phases of work are currently planned.
- Phase 1 includes specimen documentation (notes, photography, videography) and anthropological determination of biological estimates. These estimations will be used to determine the possible sex, age, ancestry, stature, and general bone condition for each sample. Once this phase is complete, HU and HACC participants can discuss the specimen’s final disposition and whether it is suitable to continue to Phase 2. HU Forensics alumna, Emely Medina ‘24, will assist with Phase 1’s analysis and documentation under the supervision of Professor Wise.
- Phase 2 consists of the collection of micro-bone samples for elemental analysis, chemical testing, and microscopic imaging. Facial reconstruction for suitable skulls will be completed using sketches, photographic and virtual renderings/overlay, and modeling clay recreations consistent with current best practices in the field of forensic anthropology.
HACC will use this analysis by HU to determine the final disposition of each sample in their collection: determining if samples are best suited for academic teaching models, research, or relocation. If specific ancestry is determined and potentially falls under the scope of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, HU will report the findings to HACC, the appropriate board of the Natural Park Services (NPS), and the DCC.
Professor Carrie Wise, lead on the project, has been a practitioner in the field of forensic science for the past 20 years. “This initiative offers faculty and students in HU’s Forensics program a unique opportunity to engage in real-world applications in their field. With our partners at HACC and DCC, we have a chance to potentially bring closure to the community regarding these unidentified remains. The project calls upon all of the skills we develop through our Forensics program and opens the doors to long-awaited resolution.”
Erica Hollister, Biology Instructor at HACC, added: “This project is a testament to the power of collaboration between educational institutions and local government offices. It provides students with hands-on experience in forensic anthropology, and it serves the community by striving to restore identities to the unknown and honor their stories.”
Since the project began, most of the anthropological analysis of 11 skulls has been completed. “We hope to finish this month with metric data, interpret our findings, and finalize our documentation and reports,” said Professor Wise. “HACC’s Dental Program completed dental X-rays on the specimens, assisted with dating the specimens and determining the general health of the remains, and looked for key features to assist in the ancestry determination. Once these samples are completed, we will move forward with the articulated full-skeleton specimens.”
The collaboration between Harrisburg University, HACC, and the Dauphin County Coroner highlights the critical role of forensic science in addressing unsolved cases. For more information about Harrisburg University’s Bachelor of Science in Forensics program, visit HarrisburgU.edu.









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