Clandestine burials, the interred human remains of forensic interest, are generally small features located in isolated environments. Typical ground searches can be both time-consuming and dangerous. Thermal remote sensing has been recognized for some time as a possible search strategy for such burials that are in relatively open areas; however, there is a paucity of published research with respect to this application. This project involved image manipulation, the analyses of signatures for "graves" of various depths when compared to an undisturbed background, and the use of image classification techniques to tease out these features. This research demonstrates a relationship between the depth of burial disturbance and the resultant signature. Further, image classification techniques, especially object-oriented algorithms, can be successfully applied to single band thermal imagery. These findings may ultimately decrease burial search times for law enforcement and increase the likelihood of locating clandestine graves.

Postmortem interval (PMI) estimation is a necessary but often difficult task that must completed during a death investigation. The level of difficulty rises as time since death increases, especially with the case of skeletonized remains (long PMI). While challenging, a reliable PMI estimate may be of great importance for investigative direction and cost-savings (e.g. suspect identification, tailoring missing persons searches, non-forensic remains exclusion). Long PMI can be estimated by assessing changes in the organic content of bone (i.e. collagen), which degrades and is lost as the PMI lengthens. Visible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy is one method that can be used for analyzing organic constituents, including proteins, in solid specimens. A 2013 preliminary investigation using a limited number of human cortical bone samples suggested that VNIR spectroscopy could provide a fast, reliable technique for assessing PMI in human skeletal remains. Clear separation was noted between "forensic" and "archaeological" specimen spectra within the near-infrared (NIR) bands. The goal of this research was to develop reliable multivariate classification models that could assign skeletal remains to appropriate PMI classes (e.g. "forensic" and "non-forensic"), based on NIR spectra collected from human cortical bone. Working with a large set of cortical samples (n=341), absorbance spectra were collected with an ASD/PANalytical LabSpec® 4 full range spectrometer. Sample spectra were then randomly assigned to training and test sets, where training set spectra were used to build internally cross-validated models in Camo Unscrambler® X 10.4; external validations of the models were then performed on test set spectra. Selected model algorithms included soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA), linear discriminant analysis on principal components (LDA-PCA), and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA); an application of support vector machines on principal components (SVM-PCA) was attempted as well. Multivariate classification models were built using both raw and transformed spectra (standard normal variate, Savitzky-Golay) that were collected from the longitudinally cut cortical surfaces (Set A models) and the superficial cortical surface following light grinding (Set B models). SIMCA models were consistently the poorest performers, as were many of the SVM-PCA models; LDA-PCA models were generally the best performers for these data. Transformed-spectra model classification accuracies were generally the same or lower than corresponding raw spectral models. Set A models out-performed Set B counterparts in most cases; Set B models often yielded lower classification accuracy for older forensic and non-forensic spectra. A limited number of Set B transformed-spectra models out-performed the raw model counterparts, suggesting that these transformations may be removing scattering-related noise, leading to improvements in model accuracy. This study suggests that NIR spectroscopy may represent a reliable technique for assessing the PMI of unknown human skeletal remains. Future work will require identifying new sources of remains with established extended PMI values. Broadening the number of spectra collected from older forensic samples would allow for the determination of how many narrower potential PMI classes can be discriminated within the forensic time-frame.

The aim of this study was to establish whether the asymmetry of bilateral elements of the skeleton is useful for the reassociation of paired elements in the analysis of commingled skeletal remains; particularly addressing the forensic scenario of Chilean Human Rights cases. The asymmetry of the appendicular skeleton of the modern adult Chilean population was investigated in its morphological aspect, using both traditional anthropometry and geometric morphometrics. The sample was selected from the Colección Subactual de Santiago, housed in the University of Chile, Santiago, Chile, with N= 131 (69 males and 62 females). The traditional metric analysis of size and the geometric morphometric analysis of shape showed that there was a significant difference between sides in both sexes with a strong component of directional asymmetry. Mean metrics and ranges of asymmetry were established, contributing to the characterization of this population. A method to pair match elements from commingled settings, which is a combination of metric ranges of asymmetry and principal component analysis of shape variables, was created resulting in 95% accuracy when pair matching the humerus, radius, femur and tibia. This constitutes an important contribution to the analysis of shape in forensic contexts due to its strong mathematical component, objectivity and repeatability.

As Ciências Forenses empregam a técnica de Reconstrução Facial buscando aumentar as possibilidades de reconhecimento humano. Após análise antropológica, a face é esculpida sobre o crânio esqueletizado e divulgada na mídia. Existem várias metodologias para a modelagem do rosto e das características da face, bem como vários dados de espessuras de tecidos moles que auxiliam no contorno facial. Com o intuito de investigar se existe uma metodologia que favoreça mais reconhecimentos e que permita uma maior semelhança com o indivíduo, este trabalho buscou comparar reconstruções faciais manuais feitas com duas abordagens para o preenchimento dos tecidos moles (métodos Americano e de Manchester) e para a predição dos olhos, nariz, boca e orelhas. Também buscou comparar reconstruções realizadas com quatro tabelas de espessuras de tecidos moles, desenvolvidas para brasileiros por estudos prévios, observando a possibilidade de unir esses dados para auxiliar na reconstrução. Um quarto objetivo foi averiguar se existe influência do sexo e do conhecimento anatômico ou forense na frequência de reconhecimentos. O estudo foi dividido em duas fases. Na primeira, duas reconstruções foram realizadas para dois indivíduos alvos (um homem e uma mulher) com os métodos Americano e de Manchester, aplicando dois guias para olhos, nariz, boca e orelhas. As reconstruções foram avaliadas por quarenta indivíduos (homens e mulheres, divididos em 4 grupos - alunos de graduação em Odontologia que não passaram pela disciplina de Odontologia Legal, alunos de graduação em Odontologia que passaram pela disciplina, especialistas em Odontologia Legal e indivíduos que não possuíam conhecimento de anatomia humana) por meio dos testes de reconhecimento e semelhança. Para o alvo feminino, as frequências de reconhecimentos foram 20% e 10% para os métodos Americano e de Manchester, respectivamente; para o alvo masculino, as frequências foram 35% e 17,5%. Em relação à semelhança, as medianas foram menores que 3 (em uma escala de 1 a 5); entretanto, foi verificada uma exceção para a escultura feita com o método Americano para o alvo masculino, a qual apresentou mediana 3. Na segunda fase, reconstruções faciais para quatro alvos (dois homens e duas mulheres) foram obtidas com o método Americano, considerando as quatro tabelas de espessuras de tecidos moles para brasileiros. Dezesseis reconstruções foram avaliadas por cento e vinte indivíduos, também pelos testes de reconhecimento e semelhança. Assim como na fase I, foram considerados o sexo e o grupo dos avaliadores. Para o alvo 1, as proporções de acertos são significativamente maiores para reconstruções feitas com as tabelas de cadáveres (44% e 38%) em relação às com os dados de exames de imagem. Para o alvo 4, as proporções de acertos com os dados de cadáveres (Tedeschi-Oliveira et al.) e com os de ressonância magnética foram significativamente maiores comparados às reconstruções com dados de tomografias computadorizadas. Em relação à semelhança, somente o alvo 1 mostrou diferenças significativas de frequências de semelhança leve entre reconstruções. Além disso, não houve influência nem do sexo, nem do conhecimento de anatomia nas frequências de reconhecimentos corretos. Espera-se que a tabela proposta possa ser empregada para a população brasileira. / Forensic Sciences employ Forensic Facial Reconstruction technique to increase possibilities in human recognition. After anthropological analysis, the face can be created on the skeletonized skull and published in the media. There are several methodologies for facial modeling and facial features as well as multiple soft tissue thicknesses data that aid in facial contour. In order to investigate whether a methodology allows more recognition and greater resemblance to a person, this study aimed to compare manual facial reconstructions made with two approaches of filling facial soft tissue (American and Manchester methods) and two approaches to predict the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. This study also intended to compare facial reconstructions carried out with four Brazilian soft tissue thicknesses data, that were developed by previous studies considering the possibily of merging these data for Forensic Reconstruction purpose. A fourth aim was to determine whether sex and anatomical or Forensic knowledge of assessor can influence in frequency of recognition. This study was divided into two phases. In the first phase, two reconstructions were performed for two targets (one male and one female) with American and Manchester methods and applying two guides for eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The reconstructions were evaluated by forty assessors (both sex, divided into four groups - undergraduated students in dentistry who did not study Forensic Dentistry, undergraduated students in dentistry who have gone through the subject of Forensic Dentistry, experts in Forensic Dentistry and individuals who did not have knowlegde of human anatomy) through the recognition and resemblance tests. For female target, frequencies of recognitions were 20% and 10% for American and Manchester methods, respectively; for male target, frequencies were 35% and 17.5%, with significant differences between the proportions of correct responses. Regarding resemblance rates, medians were less than 3 (on a scale from 1 to 5); however, it was found an exception for the sculpture made with the American method for male target, which had median 3. Thus, American method was used for the reconstructions of phase II. In this second phase, facial reconstructions for four targets (two male and two female) were obtained with the American method, considering the four Brazilian soft tissue thicknesses data. Sixteen facial reconstructions were evaluated by a hundred and twenty assessors, also through the recognition and resemblance tests. As in phase I, it was considered the sex and the group of assessors. For the first target, ratios were significantly higher for reconstructions made with data obtained from cadavers (44% and 38%) compared with those obtained from imaging. For the target 4, the proportion of correct responses with data from cadavers (Tedeschi-Oliveira et al.) and from Magnetic Resonance Imaging were significantly higher compared to reconstructions with data from Computer Tomographic scans data. Regarding resemblance, only target 1 showed significant differences in frequency of slight resemblance between reconstructions. In addition, nor sex, nor the knowledge of human anatomy from assessor has influenced the frequency of correct responses. It is also expected that the proposed table be employed for Brazilians.

O Mosteiro da Luz, monumento declarado \"Patrimônio Cultural da Humanidade\" pela Organização das Nações Unidas para a Educação, a Ciência e a Cultura (UNESCO), tombado pelo Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN) e pelo Conselho de Defesa do Patrimônio Histórico, Artístico e Arquitetônico do Estado de São Paulo (CONDEPHAAT), está localizado na cidade de São Paulo e abriga as monjas Concepcionistas da Imaculada Conceição, sendo uma ala ocupada pelo Museu de Arte Sacra. Este edifício apresenta área de cemitério em seu interior que tem grande importância histórica e arqueológica. Assim, as sepulturas, provavelmente com os corpos das monjas falecidas que viveram no Mosteiro na época da fundação, em 1774, constituem objetos de estudos científicos aprovados pelo IPHAN. Um amplo projeto arqueológico no Mosteiro da Luz foi realizado por uma equipe multidisciplinar do Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia (MAE) da Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Foram escavadas 6 sepulturas de parede que apresentaram 11 indivíduos do sexo feminino, pertencentes à Ordem das Concepcionistas, com idades variadas, de origem caucasiana, falecidas entre os anos de 1774 e 1822. Dois dos indivíduos estavam mumificados, outros parcialmente mumificados e degradados com cupim e outros esqueletizados com bioturbação por cupim. Além desses resultados, o trabalho demonstrou que escavações arqueológicas em áreas urbanas requerem cuidados especiais devido a problemas decorrentes desse ambiente, que afetam, sob vários aspectos, os estudos de natureza puramente técnica, de arqueologia funerária e da edificação. Desta forma, serve como exemplo e aprendizado a futuros profissionais. / The \"Mosteiro da Luz\" (Monastery of Light) is a monument declared \"Cultural Heritage of Humanity\" by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural (UNESCO) is listed by Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) and Council for the Defense of the Historical, Artistic and Architectural state of São Paulo (CONDEPHAAT). It is located in the city of São Paulo and it houses the Conception of the Immaculate Conception nuns. A wing is occupied by the Museum of Sacred Art. This building has an interior area of cemetery that has great historical and archaeological importance. Then, the graves probably with the bodies of deceased nuns who have lived in the monastery at the time of the founding, in 1774, are objects of scientific studies approved by IPHAN. An extensive archaeological project at the Monastery of Light was conducted by a multidisciplinary from Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (MAE), University of São Paulo (USP). As results were excavated 6 graves wall that showed 11 females, belonging to the Order of the Conception, with varying ages of Caucasian origin, died between the years 1774 and 1822. Were excavated Two individuals were mummified, others partially mummified and degraded with termite and other skeletonized with bioturbation by termites. This work demonstrated that archaeological excavations in urban areas require special care due to problems arising from this environment, affecting in many ways, studies of a purely technical nature, of a funerary archeology and of edification. Thus, it serves as an example to learning for future professionals.

O nariz, ocupando o terço médio da face, tem marcada influência cognitiva sobre a imagem facial. Constitui-se em grande parte por tecido cartilaginoso, músculos, pele e gordura, perdendo sua forma durante a decomposição cadavérica. A técnica de Reconstrução Facial no restabelecimento da aparência nasal pode influenciar o reconhecimento de um crânio sem identidade atribuível e tem sido alvo de numerosas críticas. Os métodos conhecidos para estimar essa projeção nasal a partir de elementos do crânio carecem de praticidade e reprodutibilidade. Neste estudo, buscou-se relacionar os pontos prosopométricos Rinio ( Rhi - ósseo), Pronasal ( Pn -no tecido mole) e Próstio (Pr ósseo) estudando o ângulo formado pelas retas que os unem, observando-se a possibilidade de sua utilização na determinação do comprimento nasal. Dois examinadores independentes e calibrados mensuraram esse ângulo com o auxílio do programa de análise e processamento de imagens Image J, versão 1.43; diretamente em radiografias cefalométricas selecionadas a partir do acervo de documentações em arquivos digitais de quatro Institutos de Radiologia Odontológica situados na cidade de São Paulo Brasil. Medidas lineares foram tomadas considerando a diferença do valor encontrado para o ângulo proposto e o valor hipotético de 90.00 graus. A amostra foi constituída por 600 radiografias laterais da cabeça (300 de indivíduos do sexo masculino com idade entre 24 e 77 anos e 300 do sexo feminino, com idade de 24 a 69 anos). Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa Microsoft Office Excel 10.0. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que os valores referentes às mensurações de ambos examinadores foram muito próximos a uma relação linear perfeita (r=0.99). Ambos os sexos apresentaram a mesma distribuição de idades nas amostras. O ângulo proposto Rinio-Pronasal-Próstio apresentou valores entre 80.00° e 100.00° em ambos os sexos e para todas as idades. No sexo masculino, a distribuição da variável ângulo foi mais simétrica, centrada em 90.88 graus, enquanto no sexo feminino existiu uma maior freqüência de valores maiores ou iguais a 90.00 graus, com média de 92.89°. Para as medidas lineares a maior freqüência relativa na amostra feminina foi de 0.31 mm e na masculina 0.32 mm, ou seja, cada grau de diferença entre o ângulo real mensurado e o ângulo sugerido de 90.00° correspondeu em medida linear a aproximadamente 0.31 mm. Sendo os pontos prosopométricos Rinio e Próstio de fácil localização no crânio, o cruzamento das retas que passam por esses pontos determinam o ponto Pronasal como vértice desse ângulo. Diante dos resultados obtidos, considerou-se possível a utilização do valor de 90.00° para o ângulo Rhi-Pn-Pr na determinação da projeção nasal em brasileiros adultos. / The nose, occupying the middle third of the face, has a marked cognitive influence on facial image. It consists largely of cartilage tissue, muscles, skin and fat, and loses its shape during cadaveric decomposition. The technique of facial reconstruction to restore nasal appearance can influence the recognition of a skull that has no assignable identity and has been the subject of much criticism. The known methods of estimating nasal projection using elements of the skull are lacking in practicality and reproducibility. In this study, we attempted to relate the prosopometric points Rhinion (Rhi, bone), Pronasale (Pn, soft tissue) and Prosthion (Pr, bone) by studying the angle formed by straight lines that connect them, noting the possibility of its use in determining the length of the nose. Two independent and calibrated examiners measured this angle with the help of analysis and image processing software, Image J, version 1.43, directly from cephalometric radiographs, which had been selected from a collection of documentation from the digital archives of four Dental Radiology institutes, located in São Paulo Brazil. Linear measurements were taken by taking into consideration the difference of the value found for the proposed angle and the hypothetical value of 90.00 degrees. The sample consisted of 600 lateral radiographs of the head (of 300 males aged between 24 and 77 years and 300 females, aged 24 to 69 years). The data were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel 10.0. The results showed that the values for the measurements of both investigators were very close to a perfect linear relationship (r = 0.99).Both gender had the same age distribution. The proposed Rhinion-Pronasale-Prosthion angle varied from 80.00° to 100.00° in both genders and all ages. In males, the distribution of the angle was more symmetrical, centered at 90.88 degrees, while in females there was a higher frequency of values greater than or equal to 90.00 degrees, with a mean of 92.89°. For the linear measurements, the highest relative frequency of the female sample was 0.31 mm and for the male sample it was 0.32 mm that is, each degree of difference between the actual measured angle and suggested one of 90.00° corresponded to the linear measure of about 0.31 mm. Because the Rhinion and Prosthion prosopometric points are easy to find in the skull, the crossing of lines that pass through these points determine the Pronasale point as the apex of the angle. Considering the results obtained, it was possible to use the value of 90.00° for the angle Rhi-Pn-Pr in order to determine nasal projection in Brazilian adults.

SOARES, A.T.C. Perfil antropológico das ossadas analisadas no Centro de Medicina Legal (CEMEL) da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto USP. 2007. 169 p. Dissertação (Mestrado) Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, 2007. A Antropologia Forense é uma área do conhecimento que aplica os métodos da antropologia física e arqueologia para coleta e análise de evidências legais, buscando estabelecer a identidade de um ser. O Centro de Medicina Legal (CEMEL) da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP) possui um Laboratório de Antropologia Forense, criado em 2005 durante o desenvolvimento de um projeto em parceria com a University of Sheffield (UK) e financiado pelo British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund. Durante esse projeto, um protocolo para análise de ossadas foi implementado dentro de uma estrutura científica atualizada para aplicação em contextos de importância social. Após dois anos de funcionamento, constatou-se que muitas das ossadas encaminhadas ao CEMEL estavam incompletas, tornando a realização de um perfil biológico difícil e postergando a sua identificação devido à ausência de informações e literatura nacional recente sobre Antropologia Forense. Assim, 42 ossadas humanas examinadas no CEMEL desde sua inauguração em 1999 foram analisadas e revisadas. Os resultados mostraram que a maioria dos casos era de indivíduos do sexo masculino, de ancestralidade caucasiana, com idade entre 32,71 e 46,29 anos, estatura entre 1,64 e 1,73m, destros, sem achados patológicos, com elementos odontológicos informativos, mas sem roupas ou outros pertences. Observou-se que 61,90% das ossadas possuíam menos de 50% dos ossos, com média de 79,64±52,40 ossos por caso. Os ossos mais encaminhados foram occipital, parietal esquerdo, temporal esquerdo, parietal direito, temporal direito, fêmur direito e vértebras torácicas de um a 12. Os ossos menos encaminhados foram hióide, piramidal esquerdo, falange distal superior um direita, falanges distais superiores dois a cinco direitas e falanges médias superiores dois a cinco esquerdas. Os dentes mais encaminhados foram o 2º molar superior direito e o 1º molar superior direito, enquanto que os dentes menos encaminhados foram o incisivo central superior direito, os incisivos centrais inferiores direito e esquerdo. Roupas e outros pertences estavam presentes em 20 casos, totalizando 66 itens. Trinta e um casos têm potencial para identificação somente através de técnicas de Antropologia Forense. Para os demais 11 casos provavelmente será necessário utilizar DNA para identificação. Diante dos resultados observados, discute-se a necessidade de melhorias na capacitação técnica e infra-estrutura, assim como a forma de coleta e o transporte, de forma a aumentar o número de elementos ósseos coletados e, conseqüentemente, de informações úteis para identificação. Dois crânios apresentaram evidência de craniotomia realizada durante necropsia e um apresentou resíduos de vela, o que sugere que podem ter sido retirados indevidamente do local de sepultamento, ou até mesmo vendidos, além da sua utilização em rituais religiosos. Conclui-se que campanhas de conscientização e melhorias na fiscalização dos cemitérios podem reduzir os casos de roubos e comércio de elementos ósseos. / SOARES, A.T.C. Anthropological profile of the skeletons analyzed at the Medico Legal Centre (CEMEL) of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto USP. 2007. 169 p. Dissertation (Masters Degree) Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, 2007. Forensic Anthropology is an area of knowledge that applies the methods of physical anthropology and archeology to the collection and analysis of legal evidence, including the search for individual identity. The Medico Legal Centre (CEMEL) of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto of University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP) has a Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, created in 2005 during a development project in partnership with the University of Sheffield (UK) and financed by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund. During this project, a protocol for skeletal analysis was implemented within an upgraded scientific infrastructure for application in a socially important context. After two years of work, it was noticed that many skeletons forwarded to CEMEL were incomplete, making completion of a biological profile difficult and postponing identification due to the lack of information and recent national literature about Forensic Anthropology. Therefore, 42 human skeletons examined at CEMEL since its inauguration in 1999 were analyzed and reviewed. The results showed most cases to be of male individuals, of Caucasian ethnic origin, aged between 32.71 and 46.29 y.o., of height between 1.64 and 1.73 m, right handed, without any pathological findings, with informative odontological findings, but with no clothes or other belongings. It was observed that 61.90% of the skeletons were less than 50% complete, with a mean of 79.64±52.40 bones per case. The most frequently found bones were the occipital, left parietal, left temporal, right parietal, right temporal, right femur and one to 12 thoracic vertebrae. The least frequent bones were the hyoid, left triquetral, 1st right superior distal phalanx, two to five right superior distal phalanges and two to five left superior intermediate phalanges. The most frequently found teeth were the right superior 2nd molar and right superior 1st molar, while the least frequent teeth were the right superior central incisor, and right and left inferior central incisors. Clothes or other belongings were present in 20 cases, totaling 66 items. Thirty one cases have potential to be identified only via forensic anthropological analysis. For the remaining 11 cases it will be probably necessary to use DNA for identification. In view of these observations the necessity for improvements in technical qualifications and infrastructure are discussed, as well as recovery and transport, in order to maximize the number of skeletal elements recovered andas a consequenceof information useful in identification. Two skulls presented evidence of a craniotomy conducted during autopsy and one of candle residue, suggesting that it may have been taken improperly from the place of burial, or even sold, for its use in religious rituals. It is concluded that public awareness campaigns and better inspection of cemeteries may reduce cases of robbery and trade in skeletal remains.

Recently a new strategy for age-at-death estimation has been developed. In Stephanie Calce’s 2012 article, ‘A New Method to Estimate Adult Age-at-death Using the Acetabulum,’ she redesigns the previous attempts made by Rissech et al. (2006). Her technique simplifies Rissech et al. seven traits by condensing them into three easily identifiable traits. The aim of this paper is to determine that Calce’s original intent to create a more user-friendly and comprehensible scoring method was successful. My focus is to reveal if Calce’s technique is effective between different populations or whether interpopulation variation renders it an unstable approach to age estimation. I tested Calce’s forensic method of aging human skeleton’s on a random sample of skeletons of known age from the Hamann-Todd collection. In the test, Calce’s method proved to work well. As it is simpler than previously proposed methods, investigators should consider adopting it under appropriate circumstances. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Diagnosing the sex of subadult skeletal material is a difficult task for bioarchaeologists and forensic anthropologists. Metric and nonmetric techniques have been tested utilizing both fetal (Boucher 1957, Weaver 1980) and juvenile (Loth and Henneberg 2001, Weaver 1980) skeletal remains. Some metric techniques show promise in estimating the sex of juvenile skeletons, but most are found to be lacking in adequate accuracies (Holcomb and Konigsberg 1995, Weaver 1980). Nonmetric techniques have been found to be more accurate, performing better than chance (Loth and Henneberg 2001, Mittler and Sheridan 1992, Weaver 1980). This study adds to this conversation, utilizing the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, testing the accuracy of eight nonmetric traits of the subadult mandible and ilium for use in forensic investigations and bioarchaeological research. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This project explores the reliability of building a biological profile for an unknown individual based on three-dimensional (3D) images of the individual's skeleton. 3D imaging technology has been widely researched for medical and engineering applications, and it is increasingly being used as a tool for anthropological inquiry. While the question of whether a biological profile can be derived from 3D images of a skeleton with the same accuracy as achieved when using dry bones has been explored, bigger sample sizes, a standardized scanning protocol and more interobserver error data are needed before 3D methods can become widely and confidently used in forensic anthropology. 3D images of Computed Tomography (CT) scans were obtained from 130 innominate bones from Boston University's skeletal collection (School of Medicine). For each bone, both 3D images and original bones were assessed using the Phenice and Suchey-Brooks methods. Statistical analysis was used to determine the agreement between 3D image assessment versus traditional assessment. A pool of six individuals with varying experience in the field of forensic anthropology scored a subsample (n = 20) to explore interobserver error. While a high agreement was found for age and sex estimation for specimens scored by the author, the interobserver study shows that observers found it difficult to apply standard methods to 3D images. Higher levels of experience did not result in higher agreement between observers, as would be expected. Thus, a need for training in 3D visualization before applying anthropological methods to 3D bones is suggested. Future research should explore interobserver error using a larger sample size in order to test the hypothesis that training in 3D visualization will result in a higher agreement between scores. The need for the development of a standard scanning protocol focusing on the optimization of 3D image resolution is highlighted. Applications for this research include the possibility of digitizing skeletal collections in order to expand their use and for deriving skeletal collections from living populations and creating population-specific standards. Further research for the development of a standard scanning and processing protocol is needed before 3D methods in forensic anthropology are considered as reliable tools for generating biological profiles.