Research Projects

USF donated skeletal collection research opportunities

Applications for research access to the USF Donated Skeletal collection should be sent to Natalie Wise.

USF Donated Skeletal Colelction (n=135+)

Human remains include the following tissues available for research:

• Extensive Living Donor Biohistory
• Skeletal and dental remains
• Hair, Fingerprints, Blood Samples
• Radiography, 3D-Scanning & Modeling

Balkan Collection (n=400+)

• Known Biohistory
• Casts and Photographs of Pubic Symphyses & Sternal Rib Ends

Please note that our collections are ethically sources, with IRB approval & family consent granted. Signed consent is granted for reseach and teaching purposes. 

Facility for Outdoor Research and Training (USF-FORT)

Outdoor Forensic Field & Human Cadavers for Surface & Buried Body, Remote Sensing, Environmental Variation, Decomposition, Ecology, Soils, Pollen, & Biomedical Research 

From Fragile to forever: Virtualization of trauma and pathology

By Aiden Eylward and Dr. Erin Kimmerle

Hillsborough County Cemetery Project 

• Identify & locate historic cemeteries, endangered due to predatory land practices under Jim Crow Segregation.  

ICRC-USF FACES Project 

• Research into AI for facial recognition to assist with international missing person investigations.  

Human Decomposition in Florida 

• Multi-disciplinary research into Florida’s unique climate, environment & soils – effects on rates of decomposition & outdoor crime scenes 

Geochemical Referencing for Human Identification 

• Chemical isotope testing for tracking birth origin & mobility

Human Identification & Variation for African & Diaspora Populations 

• Population Standards for Identification in Nigeria & other African Populations 

Research in Inflicted Trauma Patterns 

• Trauma research for injuries resulting from homicide, warfare, & human rights abuse