Lucina Hackman

The reliability of the Greulich and Pyle atlas when applied to a modern Scottish population.

This study examines the reliability of age estimation utilizing the Greulich and Pyle atlas in relation to a modern Scottish population. A total of 406 left‐hand/wrist radiographs (157 females and 249 males) were age‐assessed using the Greulich and Pyle atlas. Analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between chronological age and estimated age (females R2 = 0.939, males R2 = 0.940). When age groups were broken down into year cohorts, the atlas over‐aged females from birth until 13 years of age. The pattern for males showed that the atlas under‐estimated age until 13 years of age after which point it consistently over‐aged boys between 13 and 17 years of age. This study showed that the Greulich and Pyle atlas can be applied to a modern population but would recommend that any analysis takes into account the potential for over‐ and under‐aging shown in this study.

Age Estimation in the Living

Age estimation in the living is a growing issue in the modern world. This chapter discusses the state of research in relation to methods which are utilized to undertaken age estimation in the living. Methods rely on changes that are observed as an individual moves from childhood through to maturity and include examination of soft tissue changes and maturational changes to the skeleton and dentition. The strengths and weaknesses of these methods are presented, as well as an exploration of new areas for research which are being undertaken.

Age estimation from radiographic images of the knee.

This study examines the reliability of age estimation utilizing the Pyle and Hoerr atlas in relation to a modern Scottish population. The knee radiographs of 442 individuals (168 females, 274 males) were age assessed using the Pyle and Hoerr atlas. Analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between chronological age and estimated age (females R² = 0.968, males R² = 0.952). For females, the atlas method was most accurate between the ages of 9 and 15 years of age with an underage of 2.27 months and an overage of 2.38 months. For males, the atlas consistently overestimated age from the age of 9 years to the age of 16 years from between 0.14 and 8.81 months. The standard deviation for females was 9.86 months and for males was 10.75 months. This study showed that the Pyle and Hoerr atlas can be applied to a modern population with small modifications.

Age Estimation Using Foot Radiographs from a Modern Scottish Population

The Hoerr et al. atlas was published in 1962 and provides a standard for the age estimation of juveniles through radiographs of the feet. This study examines the accuracy of this atlas when used as an age estimation method on a modern Scottish population. A total of 403 left foot/ankle radiographs (175 female, 228 male) were age assessed using the Hoerr et al. atlas method. Analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between chronological age and estimated age (female R² = 0.952, male R² = 0.962). The atlas had a tendency to underage all ages of females and to underage males up to the age of 10 years after which point the pattern is one of both over and underaging. This study showed that the Hoerr et al. atlas method can be applied to a modern population.

Does Mirror Imaging a Radiograph Affect Reliability of Age Assessment Using the Greulich and Pyle Atlas

Abstract:  Age estimation is routinely undertaken by comparing radiographs of the individual in question to published reference samples of individuals of known age. This study examines the reliability of age estimation utilizing the Greulich and Pyle atlas in relation to both left‐ and right‐hand/wrist radiographs and explores whether reversing right‐hand/wrist radiographs, so that they are in the same anatomical orientation as those images used in the atlas affects reliability. A total of 403 left‐hand/wrist radiographs and 415 right‐hand/wrist radiographs were age assessed using the Greulich and Pyle atlas. Analysis showed that there is no significant loss in reliability when radiographs of the right hand (women R2 = 0.887 and men R2 = 0.907) are utilized instead of the left (women R2 = 0.939 and men R2 = 0.940) or when they are assessed as mirror images to those printed in the reference atlas (reversed female left hand R2 = 0.929 and reversed male left hand R2 = 0.931).

The foot in forensic human identification - a review.

The identification of human remains is a process which can be attempted irrespective of the stage of decomposition in which the remains are found or the anatomical regions recovered. In recent years, the discovery of fragmented human remains has garnered significant attention from the national and international media, particularly the recovery of multiple lower limbs and feet from coastlines in North America. While cases such as these stimulate public curiosity, they present unique challenges to forensic practitioners in relation to the identification of the individual from whom the body part originated. There is a paucity of literature pertaining to the foot in forensic human identification and in particular, in relation to the assessment of the parameters represented by the biological profile. This article presents a review of the literature relating to the role of the foot in forensic human identification and highlights the areas in which greater research is required.

The Utility of the Proximal Epiphysis of the Fifth Metatarsal in Age Estimation

Radiographs of 277 living individuals were assessed via a numerical scoring system to determine the timing of appearance and degree of fusion between the proximal epiphysis of the fifth metatarsal and its diaphysis. The epiphysis was observed to first appear in females at 8 years and 10 years in males and fuse by 14 years in females and 15 years in males. When assessing the level of agreement of category assignment, inter‐observer agreement was 78% for females and 64% for males whereas intra‐observer agreement was 77% for females and 86.1% for males. These results suggest that the maturation of the proximal epiphysis of the fifth metatarsal may be of value in age estimation in the child and that the scoring system is sufficiently robust to merit continued investigation. Previously this epiphysis has been considered an inconstant feature, but this research confirmed its presence in all individuals studied.

Forensic Anthropology and Missing Persons Investigations

The role of the forensic anthropologist in a missing persons case can often be both invaluable and extensive, stretching from the search phase, through location and recovery to assist in identification of the individual. Forensic anthropologists play a strong role in these cases in both the domestic sphere and in humanitarian investigations and mass disasters where utilisation of their skills can reduce the time taken for a search, ensure accurate recovery of remains and lead to strong intelligence on which to base the identification process. This chapter examines the role of the forensic anthropologist through each phase of any investigation, outlining the skills which can support an investigation including the creation of a biological profile which can eventually lead to a successful identification of the remains recovered.

The epiphyseal scar: changing perceptions in relation to skeletal age estimation

Abstract Background: It is imperative that all methods applied in skeletal age estimation and the criteria on which they are based have a strong evidential basis. The relationship between the persistence of epiphyseal scars and chronological age, however, has remained largely untested. Aims: To assess the relationships between the level of persistence of the epiphyseal scar and chronological age, biological sex and side of the body in relation to the interpretation of epiphyseal scars in methods of skeletal age estimation. Subjects and methods: A sample of radiographic images was obtained from the Tayside NHS Trust, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK. This included images of four anatomical regions from living female and male individuals aged between 20–50 years. Results: Some remnant of an epiphyseal scar was found in 78–99% of individuals examined in this study. The level of persistence of epiphyseal scars was also found to vary between anatomical regions. Conclusion: The overall relationship between chronological age and the level of persistence or obliteration of the epiphyseal scar was found to be of insufficient strength to support a causative link. It is, therefore, necessary that caution is employed in their interpretation in relation to skeletal age estimation practices.

Commentary on: Nakhaeizadeh S, Morgan RM, Rando C, Dror IE. Cascading bias of initial exposure to information at the crime scene to the subsequent evaluation of skeletal remains. J Forensic Sci 2017;63(2):403-11.

Sir, This letter relates to the recent publication entitled ‘Cascading Bias of Initial Exposure to Information at the Crime Scene to the Subsequent Evaluation of Skeletal Remains’ (1) published in this journal. We wish to raise concerns for discussion regarding such an approach to research. While we wholeheartedly acknowledge the importance of bias and the necessity for ongoing research in this domain, there are fundamental methodological flaws that recur within the literature addressing bias across forensic science practice. In this paper, these have resulted in an inappropriate and potentially dangerous extrapolation to the professionalism of a certified forensic community. It is for this reason that we felt it imperative to raise our concerns for discussion within the forensic practitioner community, since this type of research not only impacts on the current discipline under consideration but also on other subjects. The paper concerned bases its conclusions on research undertaken using unqualified MSc students who are described as having an educational background of ‘bioarchaeology/biological and physical anthropology or osteology’ (1). The research subjects involved in this study are therefore utilized inappropriately as proxies for practicing forensic anthropologists. Indeed, the authors use the term “nonworking expert” to describe their participants which is misleading in the context of forensic practice. The use of the term “expert” in reference to students rather than experienced practitioners can and should be questioned. The profile of the subjects, as described by the authors, is of students who would not be expected to have had training in the requirements which are placed on forensic practitioners, including an awareness of the risks of cognitive bias. There is also no indication that the students have any practical experience of working on a forensic scenario within the U.K. criminal justice systems. According to the authors, the studied cohorts also contained no experienced forensic anthropologists or any students who had studied forensic anthropology therefore rendering invalid any claims regarding relevance to the profession. We would argue therefore, that suggesting that the results are reflective of practicing forensic anthropologists is a gross misrepresentation and an outcome that cannot be verified from the subjects examined. Subsequently, the conclusions cannot be borne out by the results. In short, the only viable conclusion from this research is that inexperienced MSc students, who have studied bioarcheology or physical anthropology, may be biased by contextual information. We are surprised and disturbed that these issues were not picked up in peer review and brought to the attention of the editor prior to publishing. We would welcome viable studies into bias within the forensic practitioner community, but utilizing unqualified students as a proxy is scientifically unacceptable and particularly so when then used to question the professional capabilities of a forensic discipline.