Robles, Madeline;
Carew, Rachael M;
Rando, Carolyn;
Nakhaeizadeh, Sherry;
Morgan, Ruth M;
(2023)
Sex estimation from virtual models: exploring the potential of stereolithic 3D crania models for morphoscopic trait scoring.
Forensic Sciences Research
, 8
(2)
pp. 123-132.
10.1093/fsr/owad017.
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Abstract
UNLABELLED: Modern computed tomography (CT) databases are becoming an accepted resource for the practice and development of identification methods in forensic anthropology. However, the utility of 3D models created using free and open-source visualization software such as 3D Slicer has not yet been thoroughly assessed for morphoscopic biological profiling methods where virtual methods of analysis are becoming more common. This paper presents a study that builds on the initial findings from Robles et al. (2020) to determine the feasibility of estimating sex on stereolithic (STL) 3D cranial models produced from CT scans from a modern, living UK population (n = 80) using equation 2 from the Walker's (2008) morphoscopic method. Kendall's coefficients of concordance (KCC) indicated substantial agreement using cranial features scores in an inter-observer test and a video-inter-observer test. Fleiss' Kappa scores showed moderate agreement (0.50) overall between inter-observer sex estimations, and for observer sex estimations in comparison to recorded sexes (0.56). It was found that novice users could virtually employ morphoscopic sex estimation methods effectively on STL 3D cranial models from modern individuals. This study also highlights the potential that digital databases of modern living populations can offer forensic anthropology. KEY POINTS: First example of Walker's (2008) method applied to a living UK population.Open-source software is a valuable resource for crime reconstruction approaches.Male scoring bias was observed in method application.Forensic anthropologists would benefit from virtual anthropology training to use and interpret 3D models.Digital databases offer more ethical, diverse, modern populations for future research.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Sex estimation from virtual models: exploring the potential of stereolithic 3D crania models for morphoscopic trait scoring |
| Location: | England |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1093/fsr/owad017 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1093/fsr/owad017 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © The Author(s) 2023. Published by OUP on behalf of the Academy of Forensic Science. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Keywords: | 3D modelling, computed tomography, forensic anthropology, sex estimation, virtual anthropology |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Security and Crime Science |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10176043 |
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