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.

La découverte d’un nouveau bassin, Regourdou 1, offre l’occasion de discuter de l’implication fonctionnelle de la morphologie pelvienne néandertalienne. Dans un premier temps, ce spécimen est décrit, ce qui permet de vérifier son appartenance aux Néandertaliens et mettre en évidence certains traits spécifiques à cette population. Bien qu’aucun ne soit autapomorphique, la combinaison de ces caractères caractérise la ceinture pelvienne néandertalienne. Le bassin Regourdou 1 est ensuite reconstruit à l’aide d’une estimation desdonnées manquantes, par thin-plate spline à partir de Kebara 2. Les dimensions du canal pelvien de Regourdou 1sont comparées à celles de deux autres spécimens néandertaliens (Tabun C1 et Kebara 2) et d’une populationmoderne (n=151). L’analyse de la morphologie des détroits obstétricaux néandertaliens (par morphométrie géométrique), et de la relation céphalo-pelvienne, met en évidence la présence de caractéristiques associées chez l’Homme anatomiquement moderne à la naissance rotationnelle. Notre travail confirme l’existence de mécaniques obstétricales néandertaliennes de type moderne. Cette interprétation permet d’enrichir notre connaissance biologique et culturelle de cette population. / The discovery of a new Neandertal pelvis, Regourdou 1, allows discussing the functional implications of Neandertal pelvic morphology. First, the specimen is described, which offers to proveits affiliation to the Neandertal population and to highlight specific Neandertal features. Even if none of these are autapomorphic, the combinaison of these traits characterize the Neandertal pelvic belt. The pelvis Regourdou 1 is reconstructed, by an estimation of missing-data, thanks to the thin-plate splines method, applied on Kebara 2. The dimensions of Regourdou 1 birth canal are compared with those of two others Neandertal individuals (Tabun C1 and Kebara 2) as well as a modern population (n=151).The analysis of the obstetrical planes morphology (by geometric morphometrics) and the cephalo-pelvic relation highlights the presence of traits associated with rotational birth in modern Human. Our work attests the existence of modern type obstetrical mechanics, in Neandertal. This interpretation allows enriching our biological and cultural knowledge of this population.