Download Abdel Fatah, E. E., Shirley, N. R., Jantz, R. L. and Mahfouz, M. R.

1. Abdel Fatah, E. E., Shirley, N. R., Jantz, R. L. and Mahfouz, M. R. (2014),
Improving Sex Estimation from Crania Using a Novel Three-dimensional
Quantitative Method. Journal of Forensic Sciences. doi: 10.1111/15564029.12379
3D scanning technology is a new and innovative way of understanding the human
skeleton. The authors took 3D cranial scans of the white population in the Bass
Donated Collection. They wanted to create a statistical bone atlas of the cranium
to capture the primary shape variation in the skull. By pinpointing certain regions
that show significant dimorphism they created a >95% accuracy rate when they
used a cross-validating discriminant analysis. This is more of the mathematical
side of forensic anthropology. It inspires me to learn more about statistical
analysis, and shows how new technologies can be used in this vast and growing
field.
2. Ahmed, A. (2013). Estimation of sex from the upper limb measurements of
Sudanese adults. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 20(8), 1041-1047.
Although the field of forensic anthropology generally covers bones, having
information about living individuals sexual dimorphism can be helpful as well,
and create new areas of research. The author measured the upper limbs of a large
sample of men and women in Sudan, measuring several points on their arms. The
research produced between 77.5 and 90% accuracy of correct sex by using these
measurements. This is helpful in my research to not just think about the bones
themselves, but to consider forensic material with tissue on it. Being well rounded
in this field is very important.
3. Albanese, J. (2013), A Method for Estimating Sex Using the Clavicle, Humerus,
Radius, and Ulna. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 58: 1413–1419.
doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12188
If the pelvis is not available to determine sex of an individual, Albanese has
devised a method using the clavicle, humerus, radius, and ulna to estimate the sex
of an individual. He has devised formulas to show the dimorphic traits between
the measurements of the bones. These measurements in his studies showed
consistently good results (87.4 – 97.5% accuracy). This is an advancement in the
field of forensic anthropology and creates a better set of tools when the entire
skeleton is incomplete.
4. Albert, M. A. and Maier, C. A. (2013), Epiphyseal Union of the Cervical
Vertebral Centra: Its Relationship to Skeletal Age and Maturation of Thoracic
Vertebral Centra. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 58: 1568–1574.
doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12232
The estimation of age can be difficult. Measuring the vertebral body of the
Thoracic vertebrae is a new way of determining age in an individual. This
technique can help determine relative age range for an individual. The Terry
Collection was used, and Albert and Maples method 1, to examine the
relationship of age at death and the thoracic data collected. Aging is very
important in determining identification of a skeletonized individual. By using as
many proven accurate techniques to acquire the age of an individual speeds up the
identification process.
5. Amadasi, A., Merli, D., Brandone, A., Poppa, P., Gibelli, D. and Cattaneo, C.
(2013), The Survival of Gunshot Residues in Cremated Bone: An Inductively
Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry Study. Journal of Forensic
Sciences, 58: 964–966. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12149
This article explains an experiment done to test gunshot residue on post-cremated
remains. The author shot two types of 9mm rounds (full metal jacketed and
unjacketed) into bovine ribs and measured the amount of gunshot residue after
they had been put in an electric oven. This article interests me because of the
unique way they are looking at forensic remains. The idea of looking for gunshot
residue in post-cremated remains might not be too incredibly useful, but if there is
any chance of something like that coming in handy I would like to know about
this research so that I can be prepared for anything.
6. Bilfeld, M. F., Dedouit, F., Sans, N., Rousseau, H., Rougé, D. and Telmon, N.
(2013), Ontogeny of Size and Shape Sexual Dimorphism in the Ilium: A
Multislice Computed Tomography Study by Geometric Morphometry. Journal of
Forensic Sciences, 58: 303–310. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12037
Bilfed et al. used 10 osteometric landmarks on the ilium of subadults to determine
sex variation in this region. They used 95 boys and 93 girls of mixed origin, race,
and region. They wanted to test sexual dimorphism in size, shape, and size
changes with age. In their research they found that around the age of 11
dimorphic traits become more visible, although visible traits were visible as early
as the age of 1 year. Statistically their research was not significant between the
sexes. This is important to remember that not all research that is done comes out
with positive results. I can learn from this that I can be wrong about a hypothesis,
but it is good to publish the research anyway to lead others down a more accurate
path.
7. Brough, A. L., Bennett, J., Morgan, B., Black, S. and Rutty, G. N. (2013),
Anthropological Measurement of the Juvenile Clavicle Using Multi-Detector
Computed Tomography—Affirming Reliability. Journal of Forensic Sciences,
58: 946–951. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12126
Pelvic dimorphism is true in species other than humans. This article asks if the
human body has the same differentiating traits in our pelvis as well. Because our
population is so vast, this is a more difficult question to ask. There is so much
variation within our population that this type of differentiation is not fluid like
pelvic dimorphism in other species. The author found that pelvic dimorphism, in
humans, doesn’t always correlate with the size of the individual. This is
interesting because it cancels out a trait that could have potentially been used to
determine sexual variation within human populations.
8. Bruzek, J. (2002), A method for visual determination of sex, using the human hip
bone. Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 117: 157–168. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.10012
The hipbone is the most useful bone in the body to determine sex. This research
focuses on five characteristics, and has a 95% accuracy rate. The study was on
402 adults of known sex and origin. This research helps reduce observer
subjectivity because the sex was already known. This is a very useful article
because it comes back to the basics, and gives meaning to different areas of the
pelvis, which can help in cases of fragmentation.
9. Castillo, R. , Ubelaker, D. , & Djorojevic, M. (2012). Age estimatioin through
histological study of trabecular volume and cortical bone width of the iliac crest.
Science & Justice: Journal of the Forensic Science Society, 52(3), 177.
This article takes a much more scientific look at age estimation. The authors took
bone biopsies of necropsies of people who had died sudden deaths, the age range
was from 13 to 58 years old. They used Bordier’s trocar for bone biopsy, in a
period not exceeding 24 hours after death. They captured digital images of their
findings and analyzed them. This is a great article to show that you don’t always
have to be out in the field to do forensic anthropology. This is a much more
extensive (and probably expensive) way to look at aging in bones. If need be I
could probably use this research to gain positive identification of a case.
10. Cleary, M. (2012). Sex Estimation from the Clavicle: A Discriminant Function
Analysis. n.p.: ProQuest, UMI Dissertations Publishing.
Since the clavicle takes the longest time to fully mature and calcify, Cleary looks
at the sexual dimorphic traits that develop during this time. She used 18
significant points on over 200 individuals to see if there was correlation to sexual
differences. She used the Hamann-Todd collection and had an accuracy rate of
about 89.8%. This is helpful because it shows how different parts of the body can
be used to estimate sex. It also shows that there is a great amount that is not
known about sexing the human body. This could help in trying to determine
juvenile age and possibly sex as well, with only one bone.
11. Dabbs, G. R. and Moore-Jansen, P. H. (2010), A Method for Estimating Sex
Using Metric Analysis of the Scapula. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55: 149–152.
doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01232.x
When you do not have a complete skeleton you must be able to use what is
available to you. This article explains the sexually dimorphic traits of the scapula.
Their sample selection was from the Hamann-Todd collection and used a new
five-variable discriminant function for sex estimation. Their results were fairly
positive boarder lining 90% accuracy on the majority of the specimen. This can be
very helpful in my research when most of the skeleton is not available to me.
Creating a database of different techniques can really benefit the probability of
correctly identifying remains.
12. Decker, S. J., Davy-Jow, S. L., Ford, J. M. and Hilbelink, D. R. (2011), Virtual
Determination of Sex: Metric and Nonmetric Traits of the Adult Pelvis from 3D
Computed Tomography Models. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 56: 1107–1114.
doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01803.x
The os coxae and sacrum are two of the most used sex determinants in forensics.
The authors of this paper tested CT and 3D scanning to evaluate simple,
repeatable methods of sex estimation focusing on Phenice-derived traits. Their
error rate was 2.2%, meaning these forms of sex estimation are quite accurate.
Knowing this can limit my chance of error when I look at remains and attempt to
determine sex.
13. Gonçalves, D., Cunha, E. and Thompson, T. J. U. (2013), Weight References for
Burned Human Skeletal Remains from Portuguese Samples. Journal of Forensic
Sciences, 58: 1134–1140. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12167
Weight estimations of cremated human remains are very helpful, but very rare. In
this study fresh cremains were significantly heavier than those of dried remains.
Age of the individuals had a huge impact on the weight, as did the sex of the
individual. This weight difference can potentially help in determining MNI, the
completeness of the skeleton, and the sex of the individual in an investigation.
This can be very helpful in the research that I am doing in the field of forensic
anthropology. I think it is very important to understand not only your personal
niche, but the other advancements in the field you are working in.
14. González, P. , Bernal, V. , Ivan Perez, S. , & Barrientos, G. (2007). Analysis of
dimorphic structures of the human pelvis: Its implications for sex estimation in
samples without reference collections. Journal of Archaeological Science, 34(10),
1720-1730.
Sexual dimorphic structures in the human pelvis help explain sex in individuals
that we do not know the sex of. By understanding the shape and size differences
between different regions, the variation between sexes can make it easier to
identify individuals within certain populations. Identifications in different parts of
the world, or in areas affected by genocide often calls upon forensic
anthropologists to identify remains. I can use information like this to identify
rationality and sexual identification within these populations.
15. Harris, S. M. and Case, D. T. (2012), Sexual Dimorphism in the Tarsal Bones:
Implications for Sex Determination. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57: 295–305.
doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.02004.x
Harris and Case focus on the dimorphic differences in tarsal bones that had been
described in other research. They measured 18 points on the tarsal bones of
European-American males and females from the William Bass Donated Skeletal
Collection. The talus, cuboid, and cuneiform bones showed the most differences,
and by combining the measurements showed a larger accuracy rate of up to
93.3%. This is new research and can give aspiring forensic anthropologists an
idea of what is available to study. This also helps when the remains found are
very limited.
16. Kimmerle, E. H., Ross, A. and Slice, D. (2008), Sexual Dimorphism in America:
Geometric Morphometric Analysis of the Craniofacial Region. Journal of
Forensic Sciences, 53: 54–57. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00627.x
When looking at a skull sex can be very easy or very hard. Due to the amount of
variation within the human genome, there are many females that have male traits
and vice versa. This makes sexual identification by using the skull quite difficult.
The authors took 16 known craniofacial coordinates and used a 3D digitalizer to
evaluate the sexual characteristics in these points. This article was very interesting
because they used new technology and new theories to try to figure out an age old
problem.
17. Kurki, H. (2011). Pelvic dimorphism in relation to body size and body size
dimorphism in humans. Journal of Human Evolution, 61(6), 631-643.
Kurki looks at the quantitative dimorphic traits of the greater sciatic notch and the
ischiopubic region of the pelvis to estimate sex of prehistoric populations. This
research helped in determining the differences in regions of the groups that the
author looked at. It also is a good tool for teaching people with no previous
experience to look at these areas to find easily obtainable information. This is a
great article to show how some research is meant to go one way, but sometimes
comes up with other information, which is just as important. This is also an
analysis of a previous article by González testing the information from that study.
18. Mallett, X. and Evison, M. P. (2013), Forensic Facial Comparison: Issues of
Admissibility in the Development of Novel Analytical Technique. Journal of
Forensic Sciences, 58: 859–865. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12127
This article covers the topic of Facial comparison in courts. It explains how the
error rate for forensic facial reconstruction is fairly unknown. Since there are
different ways of doing this reconstruction, they focused on the United States
(image superimposition), England (Photogrammetry), and Wales (Morphological
analysis). I know that later in my career I will have to present information in a
court setting. This article can give me an idea of how forensic evidence should be
presented in different court systems. I also have an interest in facial reconstruction
and it would be helpful to understand.
19. Martin, D., Dabbs, G. R. and Roberts, L. G. (2013), Lemonade from Lemons: The
Taphonomic Effect of Lawn Mowers on Skeletal Remains. Journal of Forensic
Sciences, 58: 1273–1278. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12177
Forensic anthropology is a field that is vastly growing. This article presents an
unlikely but helpful look into how we can cover all aspects of forensic mishaps or
cover-ups. By using three types of lawn mowers to see their impact on human
remains. This is a good example of both ethics and the direction that forensic
anthropology is going in. The article gives detailed explanations of the dispersal
patterns of the obliterated remains, and how big the pieces were. They also talk
about which mowers held up the longest. I really enjoyed this article because it
shows how forensic anthropology has grown and shows that there are many
aspects of the field still to be researched.
20. Mays, S. (2014), A Test of a Recently Devised Method of Estimating Skeletal
Age at Death using Features of the Adult Acetabulum. Journal of Forensic
Sciences, 59: 184–187. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12293
Due to the fact that the skeletal variation of interpopulation changes depending on
the region you are looking at, this article thorough testing of age is very important
when compiling an age at death estimation. This study took remains of 18th and
19th century remains of documented age-at-death remains from London. The
variation in the acetabular region can help show age at death, as well as the
differences in region of the individuals assuming you have a large population to
look for. This will help in identifying individuals in more current settings.
21. Radoinova, D. , Tenekedjiev, K. , & Yordanov, Y. (2002). Stature estimation
from long bone lengths in bulgarians. HOMO – Journal of Comparitive Human
Biology, 52(3), 221-232.
This method was conceived to create a more accurate way of calculating stature
for cases that do not have a complete human skeleton. They measured cadavers
that still had tissue on them, as well as took advantage of height estimates using
previous forensic cases. This is a great way to show the multiple databases that
are at our disposal. This study was also done to create a new way of looking at
stature.
22. Raghavendra Babu, Y. , Kanchan, T. , Attiku, Y. , Dixit, P. , & Kotian, M. (2012).
Sex estimation from foramen magnum dimensions in an indian population.
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 19(3), 162-167.
Given the fact that most forensic cases do not have complete skeletal material to
work with, this study looks at the foramen magnum to try to determine whether or
not it has any affect on sex estimation. The degree of accuracy of the
measurements taken was from 65.4 to 86.5%. The authors recommend to only use
this method when there is only a fragment of the cranium. This is not accurate
enough to use instead of other parts of the cranium. I thought it was very
interesting and would, like they say, not use this unless I really have to.
23. Saini, V., Srivastava, R., Rai, R. K., Shamal, S. N., Singh, T. B. and Tripathi, S.
K. (2012), Sex Estimation from the Mastoid Process Among North Indians.
Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57: 434–439. doi: 10.1111/j.15564029.2011.01966.x
Determination of sex from an incomplete cranium is very difficult. Saini et al.
look at the mastoid process to create a working knowledge of dimorphic traits
with North Indian skulls. Their accuracy rate was in the high 80’s when using
SPSS 16.0 technology. They determined many points of reference that have a
wide array of dimorphic traits that can help in determining sex. I can use
information like this to test in other populations and create a larger database. This
is also useful, like they said in the article, to utilize this knowledge when dealing
with an incomplete skull.
24. Sen, J., Kanchan, T. and Ghosh, S. (2011), Sex Estimation from Foot Dimensions
in an Indigenous Indian Population. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 56: S148–S153.
doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01578.x
In a forensic anthropologists line of work they often see dismemberment from
cases like mass disasters and criminal mutilation. Having a more substantial
knowledge of foot sexual dimorphism can help generate a positive identification
of a missing individual. The authors attempted to create a foot index of 350 living
people in West Bengal, India. They took many measurements of size, height,
width, etc. to compile an accurate sexually dimorphic database. Like said earlier,
this can be a good estimation of sex with fresh remains.
25. Spradley, M. K. and Jantz, R. L. (2011), Sex Estimation in Forensic
Anthropology: Skull Versus Postcranial Elements. Journal of Forensic Sciences,
56: 289–296. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01635.x
This research took place to show that the skull is a much superior determinant of
sexual variation than that of the postcranial skeleton, except for the pelvis. They
used a univariate and multivariate models using the Forensic Anthropology Data
Bank to construct a basis for their research. In their research they proved that in
fact their assumption was wrong and that the postcranial skeleton has a lower
error rate than that of the skull. This is a good reminder for me that not all
assumptions are correct, and that hypotheses need to be researched before
assuming that they are correct.
26. Stull, K. E. and Godde, K. (2013), Sex Estimation of Infants Between Birth and
One Year Through Discriminant Analysis of the Humerus and Femur. Journal of
Forensic Sciences, 58: 13–20. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02286.x
Infant sex determination by means of bones is very difficult due to the fact that
they do not yet have a mature body type yet. The results while studying infants
are generally inaccurate due to this issue. This study covers the long bones of
infants between birth and one year of age. This research helps in positively
identifying unknown subadult remains with a 3% error rate. Because subadults are
so difficult to determine sex, this research can really help me in advancing this
area of research.
27. Velemínska, J. , Krajíček, V. , Dupej, J. , Gomz-Valdes, J. , Velemínský, P. , et al.
(2013). Technical note: Geometric morphometrics and sexual dimorphism of the
greater sciatic notch in adults from two skeletal collections: Ghe accuracy and
reliability of sex classification. Amerian Journal of Physical Anthropology,
152(4), 558-565.
By testing the robustness of the greater sciatic notch Velemínska concluded that
there is a possibility to obtain dimorphism between the sexes. They also proved
that this can be used multiregionally. This is something that is used quite a lot in
the forensic anthropological field. By identifying that it works in many different
regions opens the opportunity of using this analysis more.
28. Ubelaker, D. H. and Zarenko, K. M. (2012), Can Handedness be Determined from
Skeletal Remains? A Chronological Review of the Literature. Journal of Forensic
Sciences, 57: 1421–1426. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02173.x
Although it is not very important most of the time in forensic cases to find out
handedness due to certain characteristics of the hand bones, sometimes it becomes
a key factor in identifying an individual. Ubelacker is a well-known forensic
anthropologist who works for the Smithsonian Institute. I enjoy reading his
analyses of skeletal remains and always learn something from his research. I
added this article to my annotated bibliography because he has such a unique look
at all aspects of forensic science and anthropology.
29. *UAB MSFS Student. (2010, September 16). Hips Don’t Lie…in Sex
Determination of Skeletal Remains. Retrieved from
http://forensicnews.blogspot.com/2010/09/hips-dont-lie-in-sex-determinationof.html
This blog talks about a new way to look at the os coxae in determining sex of an
individual. They found more than 20 landmarks on the bone that could potentially
be seen as sexually different markers. This is a good source because it is
sponsored by a masters program at the North Carolina State University, and has
other affiliations with other Universities. I find it useful because it is slightly
recent, and gives information in a way that students can understand.
30. Viciano, J. , López-Lázaro, S. , & Alemán, I. (2013). Sex estimation based on
deciduous and permanent dentition in a contemporary Spanish population.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 152(1), 31-43.
Since teeth are so durable and last a very long time they are a great determining
factor for age of individuals, but sexing by using teeth is a new way of analysis in
the field of bioarchaeology. This study focuses on permanent dentition in the
Granada osteological collection. Their studies showed that the second deciduous
molars and the permanent canines show the greatest sexual dimorphism ranging
from 70-95% accuracy. By testing this information on other populations we can
determine if this is the same case in other regions around the world, creating a
new method of sexual estimation.