A Note on the Identification of Skulls by X‐ray Pictures of the Frontal Sinuses

Schüller, Arthur

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1943.tb44655.x

Cited by 86 publications

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“…The first stage of analysis involved measuring all possible variables of the frontal sinuses to determine the interdependence of the traits. The list of traits was compiled and extrapolated from Cryer (27), Schuller (7), Asherson (24), and Hanson and Owsley (28). In keeping with the general technique for taking measurements of the frontal sinus, a baseline was drawn across the superior margin of the orbits (29).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sinuses develop by age 2 years (7) and are visible on X‐ray around age 5 years (8). The sinuses grow slowly until puberty, then rapidly until completing their growth at approximately age 20 years (7). Since changes in the adult sinuses are rare and the sinuses remain generally stable throughout life (9), the age at which the antemortem radiograph was taken does not matter (10), providing the individual was at least 20 years old.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Personal Identification Using the Frontal Sinus*

Besana¹,

Rogers²

2010

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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The frontal sinuses are known to be unique to each individual; however, no one has tested the independence of the frontal sinus traits to see if probability analysis through trait combination is a viable method of identifying an individual using the frontal sinuses. This research examines the feasibility of probability trait combination, based on criteria recommended in the literature, and examines two other methods of identification using the frontal sinuses: discrete trait combinations and superimposition pattern matching. This research finds that most sinus traits are dependent upon one another and thus cannot be used in probability combinations. When looking at traits that are independent, this research finds that metric methods are too fraught with potential errors to be useful. Discrete trait combinations do not have a high enough discriminating power to be useful. Only superimposition pattern matching is an effective method of identifying an individual using the frontal sinuses.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Personal Identification Using the Frontal Sinus*

Besana¹,

Rogers²

2010

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…Schuller3 proposed a classification of the frontal sinuses from radiographs taken in the forehead-nose position. The author defined seven characteristics of the images: (1) septum and its deviation; (2) upper border (scallop, arcades); (3) partial septum; (4) ethmoidal and supra-orbital extensions; (5) height from planum; (6) total breadth; and (7) position of the sinus mid-line.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uniqueness of radiographic patterns of the frontal sinus for personal identification

et al. 2012

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PurposeThis study was performed to evaluate the uniqueness and reliability of the frontal sinuses by comparing various patterns of frontal sinus as observed on Waters' radiographs for individual identification.Materials and MethodsThree Waters' radiographs of 100 individuals, taken on day one, after 6-8 months, and one radiograph with a slight variation in angulation, to mimic conditions out in the field or during autopsy. Three observers were randomly given radiographs from all there packets for comparisons and identification, by the method of superimposition and individual uniqueness.ResultsThe comparative identification by superimposition of the frontal sinus was 100% positive. The size, shape, unilateral or bilateral presence, absence, and septa were observed to be unique in each case; neither had the measurements changed over a period of time.ConclusionThe need to establish a reliable, low-cost, and easily reproducible method for human identification prompted the elaboration of technical, precise, and accessible parameters, such as the evaluation of the area, asymmetry, and shape of the frontal sinus. Comparison among each of the frontal sinuses of the 100 people in the sample revealed that no two sinuses are the same, that is, the sinus is unique to each individual.

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“…This variability has been attributed to the complexity of the naso-facial area and the impact that environmental and anatomical factors have during development (7)(8)(9). The uniqueness of FS morphology is supported by observed variation of the structure in monozygotic twins (7,10). Although this uniqueness is widely accepted in the scientific community, most of these claims have been based on subjective observation with little empirical testing (7,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

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confidence: 99%

A New Digital Method for the Objective Comparison of Frontal Sinuses for Identification*

Cox

Malcolm

Fairgrieve

2009

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Use of the frontal sinuses for identification requires an objective method of comparison to meet Daubert standards. Christensen's application of Elliptical Fourier Analysis and Likelihood Ratios seems to be a viable solution for this problem. The proposed method draws upon this work and attempts to simplify its application. Variation between pairs of digitized sinus tracings was quantified by summing the difference between corresponding measurements taken from a fixed origin to the outer edge of the sinus outlines using Adobe Photoshop CS2. Same-skull and different-skull pairs were used to develop reference distributions from which the probability of unknown pairs coming from the same or a different individual was estimated. Error rates of 0% were achieved. Resulting correlation coefficients demonstrated inter-rater and test-retest reliability. Further refinement of the reference distributions and more rigorous testing of error rates should make this technique applicable to casework.

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A Note on the Identification of Skulls by X‐ray Pictures of the Frontal Sinuses

Cited by 86 publications

References 0 publications

Personal Identification Using the Frontal Sinus*

Personal Identification Using the Frontal Sinus*

Uniqueness of radiographic patterns of the frontal sinus for personal identification

A New Digital Method for the Objective Comparison of Frontal Sinuses for Identification*

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