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BACKGROUND: Forensic age estimation is a procedure which utilises many methods to estimate the age of both living and deceased individuals, including those who have died in natural disasters or man-made catastrophes. The pattern and closure of spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) fusion, along with subchondral ossification of the mandibular condyle, can be used to estimate age. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to estimate age using computed tomographic (CT) images of spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion (SOS) and mandibular condylar cortication (MCC), and to correlate these findings with chronological age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 435 CT images of individuals aged 10-25 years. SOS fusion was assessed using a four-stage system, and MCC was assessed bilaterally using a three-stage system on the sagittal plane. Data on fusion stages and cortication types were entered along with chronological age, and then statistically analysed. RESULTS: SOS fusion stage 2 occurred at similar age in males (19.82 ± 2.67 years) and females (19.23 ± 2.93 years). Earlier fusion of other stages was observed in females by a mean age of 2 years. MCC was completed 1 year earlier in females, with statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.001). When comparing cortication types and different fusion stages, only type II cortication showed statistically significant differences compared to different fusion stages (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Mandibular condylar cortication (MCC) and spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) fusion were positively correlated with chronological age, suggesting that these parameters can be used as an adjunct method for age estimation.

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More than 1200 civilians and military were killed in cities and villages by the Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023. The bodies and body-parts had to be identified and released for burial. This report outlines the challenges and mode of operation of the massive disaster victim identification (DVI) efforts. Bodies were delivered to a central mortuary. Each body was coded and undressed for external inspection and documentation of physical elements. Digital fingerprints were recorded and blood or toenails sampled for DNA. Odontology exams were performed by dentists describing dentition, aided by computerized tomography (CT). Whole-body CT was performed in cases the bodies were disfigured or burned from the second week. Simultaneously, families of missing civilians provided physical elements to the police to extract the DNA for antemortem documentation. The police took the responsibility over the reconciliation, which was based on comparison of the ante-mortem and post-mortem fingerprints, aided by DNA profile matching, odontology examination, clinical and/or radiological findings performed by forensic practitioners. Secondary identification elements were used assure the families regarding the identification. Precise scientific identification a was a priority, even if it slowed the rate of bodies release. Families were allowed to view their relative either at the mortuary or before burial. The DVI process required cooperation between several governmental agencies and police. To maximize the effectiveness, a synchronized approach should be adopted, specifying communication channels between the partners and dividing the responsibilities. The DVI should be led by a single, experienced authority to ensure interdisciplinary teamwork. This catastrophe required personal resilience of the teams for rapid and efficient functioning and communication between the partners.

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Evaluating sharp force trauma (SFT) injuries to bone inflicted by a larger class of chopping/hacking tools (i.e., swords, axes, hatchets, machetes, and cleavers) is a growing area within the field of forensics. Previous studies have demonstrated promise regarding tool differentiation through the utilization of microscopic cut mark characteristics. However, this is an area that warrants additional investigation as there has yet to be a comprehensive study that incorporates the majority of these microscopic chopping/hacking cut mark characteristics into one analysis. The purpose of the current research was to analyze a large sample of microscopic cut mark characteristics derived from the current chopping/hacking literature to determine if differentiation of tool type could be made based on the microscopic cut mark characteristics. An additional goal of the current research is to develop standardization guidelines for the assessment of cut marks, focusing on a comprehensive suite of microscopic cut mark characteristics commonly observed in the existing literature. The skeletal sample for the current research was derived from a previous macroscopic cut mark characteristic experiment where trauma was inflicted to 20 partially fleshed domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) limbs utilizing four chopping/hacking tools (i.e., axe, hatchet, machete, and cleaver) as well as a large carving knife for comparison. Cut marks were evaluated for 15 microscopic cut mark characteristics to assess statistical significance. Utilizing a chi-square analysis, nine of the 15 microscopic cut mark characteristics demonstrated statistically significant differences in relation to the tool utilized, indicating moderate to relatively strong effect sizes. For example, it should be possible to use a combination of microscopic cut mark characteristics to potentially indicate which chopping/hacking tool inflicted trauma when analyzing bones. In particular, examining the characteristics such as regularity of the cut mark edges along with the occurrence of uprising, fossae/depressions, and microscopic fractures can suggest or exclude tool class within forensic contexts.

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OBJECTIVE: To study the sternum ossification processes that take place over time as well as the possibilities of sternum X-rays application to evaluate the age on the modern Russian population in forensic terms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sternum X-rays with fragments of ribs' chondral parts were obtained from 369 male and female corpses aged 12-96 years without pathological and traumatic changes. The X-rays were done in frontal projection. The set of examined parameters included: complete and partial synostosis of manubrium and body, induration along the synostosis (or on the articulated edges of manubrium and body), complete and partial synostosis of body segments, traces of body segments union, complete and partial synostosis of body and xiphoid process, induration along the synostosis (or on the articulated edges of manubrium and body), form of costal notches, induration of articular edges of body, presence of calcification foci in sternal edge of II-VII ribs' cartilages, depth of sternum notches, overgrowths on articular edges of body, presence of union between body's costal notches and calcification centers of ribs' cartilages. Mean values, standard deviation and correlation coefficient were determined. RESULTS: The maximal correlation with age was found in such parameters such: overgrowths on articular edges of body (r=0.6), presence of calcification foci in sternal edge of II-VII ribs (r=0.6), induration of body's articular edges (r=0.5), presence of union between costal notches and calcification centers of ribs cartilages (r=0.5), synostosis of body and xiphoid process (r=0.4). CONCLUSION: A subsequent construction of linear model for age diagnosis has its details when comparing the predicted age with the real.

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Age estimation is crucial in legal and humanitarian contexts. Forensic professionals may use various procedures to estimate age, including dental analysis, bone density tests, evaluation of physical characteristics including facial bone structure and development, and image-based methods. Although images are often the only material available, visual observation of photographic material is an imprecise method in age estimation, which can compromise judicial decision-making. Analyzing 4000 photographs from the Brazilian Federal Police database, representing four age groups (6, 10, 14, and 18 years), the study employed automated analysis by marking 28 photogrammetric points. Data were used to establish facial patterns by age and sex using the facial geometric morphometrics method. Performance was assessed through a Multinomial Logistic Regression model, evaluating accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity across the categorical age groups. Analyses were conducted using R software, with a 5 % significance level. The study found that facial geometric morphometrics achieved an overall accuracy of 69.3 % in age discrimination, with higher accuracy in males (74.7 %) compared to females (65.8 %) (p < 0.001). The method excelled at predicting the age of 6-year-olds with 87.3 % sensitivity and 95.6 % specificity but had lower performance at 14 years. It showed greater accuracy in distinguishing age groups with larger age gaps, achieving up to 99.5 % accuracy between certain groups, and was particularly effective in differentiating ages of 6 and 10 years in females and 10, 14, and 18 years in males. The facial geometric morphometrics emerges as a promising approach for age estimation among children and adolescents in forensic settings.

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OBJECTIVES: To describe the current state of research and future research hotspots through a metrological analysis of the literature in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research. METHODS: The data retrieved and extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), the core database of the Web of Science information service platform (hereinafter referred to as "WoS"), was used to analyze the trends and topic changes in research on forensic identification of human remains from 1991 to 2022. Network visualisation of publication trends, countries (regions), institutions, authors and topics related to the identification of remains in forensic anthropology was analysed using python 3.9.2 and Gephi 0.10. RESULTS: A total of 873 papers written in English in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research were obtained. The journal with the largest number of publications was Forensic Science International (164 articles). The country (region) with the largest number of published papers was China (90 articles). Katholieke Univ Leuven (Netherlands, 21 articles) was the institution with the largest number of publications. Topic analysis revealed that the focus of forensic anthropological remains identification research was sex estimation and age estimation, and the most commonly studied remains were teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of publications in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research has a distinct phasing. However, the scope of both international and domestic collaborations remains limited. Traditionally, human remains identification has primarily relied on key areas such as the pelvis, skull, and teeth. Looking ahead, future research will likely focus on the more accurate and efficient identification of multiple skeletal remains through the use of machine learning and deep learning techniques.

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Background: Calculating the immersion time at sea of human skeletal remains is a challenge for forensic investigations and the answer to this question would solve many court cases in the shortest possible time. Remains in water create profound structural changes due to countless variables that lead to difficulties in interpretation during investigations. Case report: In this paper, two forensic cases found at sea were analysed, Case A, an extensively skeletonised corpse, and Case B, an isolated, intact foot with soft tissue, both found only 9 km away from the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Southern Italy). A preliminary radiodiagnostic examination was performed for both cases. Subsequently, macroscopic observation of two tattoos found on case A was carried out. Autopsy examination was then carried out with subsequent anthropometric analysis to reconstruct the biological profile of both subjects, (case A) and (case B). Finally, histological and genetic analyses were performed. Conclusions: The examinations carried out made it possible to determine two compatible biological profiles, despite the taphonomic difference, and these examinations were corroborated by the anthropometric and genetic correlation, which led to the solution of a single judicial case. In conclusion, all the investigations carried out made it possible to state that the skeletonised corpse (Case A) and the isolated foot (Case B) belonged to the same individual in life. This result made it possible to identify the victim, thus establishing the profile of an individual who had disappeared in the previous two months due to a shipwreck.

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The petrous bone contains significantly higher amounts of DNA than any other human bone. Because of highly destructive sampling and because it is not always part of the recovered remains, the need for alternative sources of DNA is important. To identify additional optimal bone types, petrous bones were compared to femurs, tali, and calcanei sampled from 66 adult skeletons from two distinct modern-era Christian cemeteries. An extraction method employing full demineralization was used to obtain DNA, real-time PCR quantification to ascertain DNA quantity and degradation, and a commercial forensic short tandem repeats (STR) PCR amplification kit to determine genetic profiles. Statistical analysis was performed to explore the differences in DNA yield, DNA degradation, and success of STR amplification. A systematic studies exploring intra-skeletal variability in DNA preservation including various excavation sites differing by time period and geographical position are rare, and the second part of the investigation was based on a comparison of both archaeological sites, which allowed us to compare the effect of different post-mortem intervals and environmental conditions on DNA preservation. The older burial site in Crnomelj was active between the 13th and 18th century, whereas the more recent Polje burial was in use from the 16th to 19th century, creating different temporal and geographical environments. Results for the Crnomelj burial site revealed that the petrous bone outperformed all other bone types studied, except the calcaneus. At the Polje archeological site calcanei, tali, and femurs yielded the same STR typing success as petrous bones. The results obtained highlight the importance of careful bone sample selection for DNA analysis of aged skeletal remains. In addition to petrous bones, calcanei were found to be an alternative source of DNA when older burial sites are investigated. When more recent burial sites are processed, calcanei, tali, and femurs should be sampled besides petrous bones, not only because they exhibited good performance, but also because of easier sampling and easier grinding in the case of trabecular bones. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential use of various skeletal types as a source of DNA for investigation of aged skeletal remains, and it offers practical implications for forensic and archaeological investigations.

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SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to derive the equations for sex determination and to test the accuracy of discrimination between sexes using measurements of the patella in the Thai population. The sample comprised 254 Thai skeletons (134 males and 120 females) aged between 22 and 97 years, with an average age of 63.3years, obtained from the Osteology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. Six variables were measured in 254 pairs of normal patellae. The mean values of patellar measurements in males were significantly greater than those in females for all variables (P<0.05). Statistical analysis further showed that all variables were useful in sex determination. Stepwise discriminant function analysis yielded an accuracy of 83.2 % (83.8 % male, 82.5 % female) and 85.5 % (85.3 % male, 85.8 % female) for the left and right patellae, respectively. These results suggested that measurement of the right patella is preferable for skeletal sexing. If this is not available, the forensic specialist can use the left patella instead, with an average accuracy of more than 80.0 % in giving a correct classification. The findings of this study demonstrate that the patella is an important bone in sex determination. They suggest that either the left or right patella can be used for sex determination, especially in the Northern Thai population.

El objetivo de este estudio fue derivar las ecuaciones para la determinación del sexo y probar la precisión de la discriminación entre sexos utilizando mediciones de la patela en la población tailandesa. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 254 esqueletos tailandeses (134 hombres y 120 mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre 22 y 97 años, con una edad promedio de 63,3 años, del Centro de Investigación y Capacitación en Osteología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai. Se midieron seis variables en 254 pares de patelas normales. Los valores medios de las mediciones patelares en los hombres fueron significativamente mayores que los de las mujeres, para todas las variables (P <0,05). Además, el análisis estadístico mostró que todas las variables fueron útiles para la determinación del sexo. El análisis de la función discriminante por pasos arrojó una precisión del 83,2 % (83,8 % hombres, 82,5 % mujeres) y 85,5 % (85,3 % hombres, 85,8 % mujeres) para las patelas izquierda y derecha, respectivamente. Estos resultados sugieren que la medición de la patela derecha es preferible para la determinación del sexo en esqueletos. En caso de no estar disponible y para dar una clasificación correcta, el especialista forense puede utilizar la patela izquierda, con una precisión promedio de más del 80,0 %. Los hallazgos de este estudio demuestran que la patela es un hueso importante en la determinación del sexo. Se sugiere que se pueda utilizar la patela izquierda o derecha para determinar el sexo, especialmente en la población del norte de Tailandia.

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SUMMARY: Since machine learning algorithms give more reliable results, they have been used in the field of health in recent years. The orbital variables give very successful results in classifying sex correctly. This research has focused on sex determination using certain variables obtained from the orbital images of the computerized tomography (CT) by using machine learning algorithms (ML). In this study 12 variables determined on 600 orbital images of 300 individuals (150 men and 150 women) were tested with different ML. Decision tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Naive Bayes (NB) algorithms of ML were used for unsupervised learning. Statistical analyses of the variables were conducted with Minitab® 21.2 (64-bit) program. ACC rate of NB, DT, KNN, and LR algorithms was found as % 83 while the ACC rate of LDA and RFC algorithms was determined as % 85. According to Shap analysis, the variable with the highest degree of effect was found as BOW. The study has determined the sex with high accuracy at the ratios of 0.83 and 0.85 through using the variables of the orbital CT images, and the related morphometric data of the population under question was acquired, emphasizing the racial variation.

Dado que los algoritmos de aprendizaje automático dan resultados más fiables, en los últimos años han sido utilizados en el campo de la salud. Las variables orbitales dan resultados muy exitosos a la hora de clasificar correctamente el sexo. Esta investigación se ha centrado en la determinación del sexo utilizando determinadas variables obtenidas a partir de las imágenes orbitales de la tomografía computarizada (TC) mediante el uso de algoritmos de aprendizaje automático (AA). En este estudio se probaron 12 variables determinadas en 600 imágenes orbitales de 300 individuos (150 hombres y 150 mujeres) con diferentes AA. Se utilizaron algoritmos de AA de árbol de decisión (DT), K-Nearest Neighbour, regresión logística (RL), Random Forest (RF), análisis discriminante lineal (ADL) y Naive Bayes (NB) para el aprendizaje no supervisado. Los análisis estadísticos de las variables se realizaron con el programa Minitab® 21.2 (64 bits). La tasa de ACC de los algoritmos NB, DT, KNN y RL se encontró en % 83, mientras que la tasa de ACC de los algoritmos ADL y RFC se determinó en % 85. Según el análisis de Sharp, la variable con el mayor grado de efecto se encontró como BOW. El estudio determinó el sexo con alta precisión en las proporciones de 0,83 y 0,85 mediante el uso de las variables de las imágenes de TC orbitales, y se adquirieron los datos morfométricos relacionados de la población en cuestión, enfatizando la variación racial.

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SUMMARY: In forensic anthropology, the radius bone has been shown to determine the sex of human remains in a number of different populations. The dry mass and growth of long bones, including the radius, are associated with sex hormone levels; however, the use of bone weight to determine sex has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to apply bone morphometric parameters, including maximum length of radius (MLR), circumference at the midshaft of radius (CMR), and weight of radius (WR), to 400 sample radii from a Northeastern Thai population. Univariate and multivariate discriminant functions of all parameters were systemically applied. Equations for calculating sex classification were also determined. Descriptive data analysis showed significant sexual dimorphism in all variables (p < 0.05). The canonical correlation was highest in CMR (0.772) and the ratio of weight to length (0.747). Multivariate discriminant function analysis showed that the measured indices of the right radius were slightly greater than those of the left radius. The parameters demonstrating the highest values of the standardized canonical discriminant function coefficients were CMR (Rt. = 0.496, Lt. 0.431) and WR (Rt. = 0.681, Lt. = 0.715). Moreover, the results of the multivariable (stepwise method) indicated that the best accuracy rates for using combinations of CMR and WR were 94 % (right side) and 92 % (left side). In conclusion, the weight of the radius (rather than the length) is an effective parameter in determining sex.

En antropología forense, se ha demostrado que el hueso radio determina el sexo de los restos humanos en varias poblaciones diferentes. La masa seca y el crecimiento de los huesos largos, incluido el radio, están asociados con los niveles de hormonas sexuales; sin embargo, el uso del peso de los huesos para determinar el sexo no se ha investigado suficientemente. El objetivo de este estudio fue aplicar parámetros morfométricos óseos, incluida la longitud máxima del radio (LMR), la circunferencia en la mitad del radio (CMR) y el peso del radio (PR), a 400 radios de muestra de una población del noreste de Tailandia. Se aplicaron sistémicamente funciones discriminantes univariadas y multivariadas de todos los parámetros. También se determinaron ecuaciones para calcular la clasificación por sexo. El análisis descriptivo de los datos mostró un dimorfismo sexual significativo en todas las variables (p < 0,05). La correlación canónica fue mayor en CMR (0,772) y la relación peso-longitud (0,747). El análisis de función discriminante multivariante mostró que los índices del radio derecho eran ligeramente mayores que los del radio izquierdo. Los parámetros que demostraron los valores más altos de los coeficientes de la función discriminante canónica estandarizada fueron CMR (Rt. = 0,496, Lt. 0,431) y PR (Rt. = 0,681, Lt. = 0,715). Además, los resultados del método multivariable (método paso a paso) indicaron que las mejores tasas de precisión al usar combinaciones de CMR y PR fueron del 94 % (lado derecho) y del 92 % (lado izquierdo). En conclusión, el peso del radio (más que la longitud) es un parámetro eficaz para determinar el sexo.

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SUMMARY: The present study aimed to investigate the utility of the proximal femur in the forensic age estimation by assessing changes in bone densities through radiographs. Using Otsu's threshold, bone density was quantified by counting all white pixel values within selected regions of interest, which include femoral head (FH), femoral neck (FN), Ward's triangle (WT), and greater trochanter (GT) from 354 left femora of Northern Thai descent. The pixel width of medullary cavity (MC) was also estimated. Furthermore, the study evaluated the performance of linear regression (LR) models for age estimation from radiographic images of proximal femora. Negative correlations were observed between FH, FN, WT, and GT pixel intensity with the age-at-death of the samples, with females exhibiting stronger correlations than males. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between age and MC width in female samples, while male MC widths did not show any relationship with increasing age. The results showed a slight difference between the LR model applied to both sexes, which integrated all variables, and the alternative configuration that only utilized relevant attributes. Both models exhibited similar performance, with a narrow range of root mean square error (RMSE) values, ranging from 12.67 to 12.71 years, and a correlation coefficient range of 0.51 to 0.52. For females, the LR model with FN and WT as selected attributes (RMSE = 11.85 years, correlation coefficient = 0.65) performed decently, while for males, the LR model with all variables showed RMSE of 12.52 years and correlation coefficient of 0.46. This study showcased the potential application of pixel intensity in predicting age.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la utilidad del fémur proximal en la estimación forense de la edad mediante la evaluación de cambios en las densidades óseas a través de radiografías. Utilizando el umbral de Otsu, la densidad ósea se cuantificó contando todos los valores de pixeles blancos dentro de regiones de interés seleccionadas, que incluyen la cabeza femoral (CF), el cuello femoral (CF), el triángulo de Ward (WT) y el trocánter mayor (TM) de 354 fémures izquierdos de ascendencia del norte de Tailandia. También se estimó el ancho de pixeles de la cavidad medular (CM). Además, el estudio evaluó el rendimiento de modelos de regresión lineal (RL) para la estimación de la edad a partir de imágenes radiográficas de fémur proximal. Se observaron correlaciones negativas entre la intensidad de los pixeles CF, CF, WT y TM con la edad de muerte, y las mujeres exhibieron correlaciones más fuertes que los hombres. Además, se encontró una correlación positiva entre la edad y el ancho del CM en muestras de mujeres, mientras que el ancho del CM del hombre no mostró ninguna relación con el aumento de la edad. Los resultados mostraron una ligera diferencia entre el modelo RL aplicado a ambos sexos, que integraba todas las variables, y la configuración alternativa que sólo utilizaba atributos relevantes. Ambos modelos mostraron un rendimiento similar, con un rango estrecho de valores del error cuadrático medio (RMSE), que oscilaba entre 12,67 y 12,71 años, y un rango de coeficiente de correlación de 0,51 a 0,52. Para las mujeres, el modelo RL con CF y WT como atributos seleccionados (RMSE = 11,85 años, coeficiente de correlación = 0,65) tuvo un desempeño satisfactorio, mientras que para los hombres, el modelo RL con todas las variables mostró un RMSE de 12,52 años y un coeficiente de correlación de 0,46. Este estudio mostró la posible aplicación de la intensidad de los pixeles en la predicción de la edad.

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Geometric morphometrics (GMM) have been applied to understand morphological variation in biological structures. However, research studying cortical bone through geometric histomorphometrics (GHMM) is scarce. This research aims to develop a landmark-based GHMM protocol to depict osteonal shape variation in the femoral diaphysis, exploring the role of age and biomechanics in bone microstructure. Proximal, midshaft, and distal anatomical segments from the femoral diaphysis of six individuals were assessed, with 864 secondary intact osteons from eight periosteal sampling areas being manually landmarked. Observer error was tested using Procrustes ANOVA. Average osteonal shape and anatomical segment-specific variation were explored using principal component analysis. Osteon shape differences between segments were examined using canonical variate analysis (CVA). Sex differences were assessed through Procrustes ANOVA and discriminant function analysis (DFA). The impact of osteonal size on osteonal shape was investigated. High repeatability and reproducibility in osteon shape landmarking were reported. The average osteon shape captured was an elliptical structure, with PC1 reflecting more circular osteons. Significant differences in osteon shape were observed between proximal and distal segments according to CVA. Osteon shape differed between males and females, with DFA showing 52% cross-validation accuracies. No effect of size on shape was reported. Osteonal shape variation observed in this study might be explained by the elderly nature of the sample as well as biomechanical and physiological mechanisms playing different roles along the femoral diaphysis. Although a larger sample is needed to corroborate these findings, this study contributes to the best of our knowledge on human microanatomy, proposing a novel GHMM approach.

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It is now well established that decision making can be susceptible to cognitive bias in a broad range of fields, with forensic science being no exception. Previously published research has revealed a bias blind spot in forensic science where examiners do not recognise bias within their own domain. A survey of 101 forensic anthropology practitioners (n = 52) and students (n = 38) was undertaken to assess their level of awareness of cognitive bias and investigate their attitudes towards cognitive bias within forensic anthropology. The results revealed that the forensic anthropology community (∼90%) had a high level of awareness of cognitive bias. Overall ∼89% expressed concerns about cognitive bias in the broad discipline of forensic science, their own domain of forensic anthropology, and in the evaluative judgments they made in reconstruction activities, identifying a significant reduction in the bias blind spot. However, more than half of the participants believed that bias can be reduced by sheer force of will, and there was a lack of consensus about implementing blinding procedures or context management. These findings highlight the need to investigate empirically the feasibility of proposed mitigating strategies within the workflow of forensic anthropologists and their capabilities for increasing the transparency in decision making.

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This research endeavors to prognosticate gender by harnessing the potential of skull computed tomography (CT) images, given the seminal role of gender identification in the realm of identification. The study encompasses a corpus of CT images of cranial structures derived from 218 male and 203 female subjects, constituting a total cohort of 421 individuals within the age bracket of 25 to 65 years. Employing deep learning, a prominent subset of machine learning algorithms, the study deploys convolutional neural network (CNN) models to excavate profound attributes inherent in the skull CT images. In pursuit of the research objective, the focal methodology involves the exclusive application of deep learning algorithms to image datasets, culminating in an accuracy rate of 96.4%. The gender estimation process exhibits a precision of 96.1% for male individuals and 96.8% for female individuals. The precision performance varies across different selections of feature numbers, namely 100, 300, and 500, alongside 1000 features without feature selection. The respective precision rates for these selections are recorded as 95.0%, 95.5%, 96.2%, and 96.4%. It is notable that gender estimation via visual radiography mitigates the discrepancy in measurements between experts, concurrently yielding an expedited estimation rate. Predicated on the empirical findings of this investigation, it is inferred that the efficacy of the CNN model, the configurational intricacies of the classifier, and the judicious selection of features collectively constitute pivotal determinants in shaping the performance attributes of the proposed methodology.

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Dental measurements have been proposed as parameters for stature estimation for at least 85 years. The scientific literature on the topic, however, is controversial regarding the performance of the method. This systematic literature review of observational cross-sectional studies aimed to compile evidence to support decisions in the forensic practice regarding the use of dental measurements for stature estimation. Embase, LILACS, MedLine (via PubMed), SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science, DansEasy and Open Access Thesis and Dissertations (OATD) were searched. Data regarding the rate of correct stature classifications were extracted. A meta-analysis with a Random Intercept Logistic Regression model and a Logit Transformation was conducted. The search led to 10.803 entries, out of which 15 were considered eligible (n = 1486 individuals). The studies were published between 1990 and 2020 and were authored by South American (n = 7) and Asian (n = 8) research teams. Dental measurements were predominantly (93.34 %) performed on dental casts or via intraoral inspection. The overall rate of correct classifications based on stature was 68 %. Excluding outliers, the overall accuracy of the method decreased to 64 % (95 %CI: 54-73 %). Significant heterogeneity was detected (I² = 72.4 %, τ2 = 0.24, H = 1.91, p < 0.001). Egger's test (p = 0.94) and the funnel plot did not reveal publication bias. Dental measurements are not reliable for stature estimation in the forensic field.

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Stature estimation is a core component to the biological profile in forensic anthropology casework. Here we provide mathematical equations for estimating stature for contemporary American Indians (AI), which currently are lacking in forensic anthropology. Drawing on postmortem computed tomography data from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database we regressed cadaveric length on four long bone length measures of the tibia, femur, and humerus to produce 11 combinations of models. Separate regression models were calculated for the entire pooled sample, by sex, broad AI language groups, and age + sex subsamples and compared. Sex-specific models were statistically better than general models, which were more accurate than language group and age + sex models. Equations were created for general and sex-specific models. Application to an independent test sample demonstrates the equations are accurate for stature estimation with overestimates of less than 1 cm. The equations provide similar levels of precision to stature estimation programs like the FORDISC 3.0 module and other stature equations in the literature. We provide recommendations for equation use in casework based on our results. These equations are the first for estimating stature in contemporary AI. This paper demonstrates the appropriateness of these newly created stature equations for use in New Mexico and the surrounding region.

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Three-dimensional (3D) structured light scanning is a beneficial documentation technique in forensic anthropology because such models facilitate continued analysis and data sharing; they can also be 3D printed for demonstrative purposes in legal proceedings and training, without risk of damage to the original skeletal material. As its application in forensic anthropology is relatively novel, the aim of the present study is to statistically evaluate the dimensional accuracy of 3D structured light scans and 3D prints for ten bone types, including the cranium, mandible, 2nd cervical vertebra (C2), clavicle, scapula, capitate, 2nd metacarpal, os coxae, femoral head, and patella. Standard linear measurements are acquired in each physical bone, 3D virtual model, and 3D print of the same bone specimen. Variances between measurements of physical, virtual, and printed bones are quantified using the technical error of measurement (TEM), relative TEM (rTEM), and coefficient of reliability (R). Measurements acquired in the virtual models and prints were found to be within ±2 mm average of the same measurements in the physical bones, with a tendency to underestimate true value. rTEM and R values for the virtual clavicle, capitate, scapula and C2, and rTEM for the printed clavicle and capitate, were comparatively less reliable than for other bone types; although all bones were reproduced to within acceptable anthropological error standards (rTEM≤5 %; R≥0.95). This study reaffirms the use of 3D structured light scanning and 3D printing to complement traditional skeletal documentation in forensic anthropology.

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PURPOSE: To critically appraise and summarize the potential of linear and/or volumetric dimensions of the maxillary sinuses obtained with cone-beam and multi-slice computed tomography. METHODS: A bibliographic search was conducted in seven databases in August 2023. Cross-sectional retrospective studies using linear and volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinuses obtained with cone-beam and multi-slice computed tomography for sex estimation and presenting numerical estimation data were included. Narrative or systematic reviews, letters to the editor, case reports, laboratory studies in animals, and experimental studies were excluded. The critical appraisal and certainty of evidence were assessed using the guidelines described by Fowkes and Fulton and GRADE, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 656 studies were found, 32 of which were included. A total of 3631 individuals were analyzed and the overall sex estimation rate ranged from 54.9 % to 95 %. When compared with isolated measurements, combined linear measurements of the right and left maxillary sinuses, such as width, length, and height, provided a higher rate of sex estimation (54.9-95 %). In most of the studies (62.5 %), all measurements were higher in men than in women. Multiple methodological problems were found in the studies, especially distorting influences in 84.4 % of the answers. The certainty of evidence varied from very low to low. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of height, width, and length measurements of the right and left maxillary sinuses from cone-beam and multi-slice computed tomography can be useful in the estimation of sex of humans. Further primary studies are needed to increase the certainty of evidence. PROSPERO REGISTER: CRD42020161922.

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Sex estimation is a necessary part of forensic and osteological analyses of skeletal human remains in the construction of a biological profile. Several skeletal traits are sexually dimorphic and used for skeletal sex estimation. The human mandible and morphological traits therein have been long used for sex estimation, but the validity of using the mandible in this purpose has become a concern. In this study, we examined the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and especially deep learning (DL) to provide accurate sex estimations from the mandible. We used 193 modern South African mandibles from the Human Osteological Research Collection (HORC) in the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences university with known sex to conduct our study. All mandibles were photographed from the same angle and the photographs were analyzed with an open-source DL software. The best-performing DL algorithm estimated the sex of males with 100% accuracy and females with 76.9% accuracy. However, further studies with a higher number of specimens could provide more reliable validity for using AI when building the biological profile from skeletal remains.

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