Pair-Matching Digital 3D Models of Temporomandibular Fragments Using Mesh-To-Mesh Value Comparison and Implications for Commingled Human Remain Assemblages

Acuff, Alana S; Karell, Mara A.; Spanakis, Konstantinos; Kranioti, Elena F.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-61125-5_1

Cited by 5 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Despite the illustrated benefits of sorting mixed joint articulations, the greater part of the published literature concerns pair‐matching or elemental associations [1, 9, 18–22, 25, 27, 46–59]. Of the few studies examining the utility of sorting commingled joints, the majority focus on joint congruence at the atlanto‐occipital joint [17, 26, 29, 56, 57] or at the large joints of the body, such as the hip or knee [12, 18–20, 23, 29, 30, 60, 61].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel method for sorting and reassociating commingled human remains using deviation analysis

Litavec

2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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This study provides an innovative and novel method for sorting commingled human remains at the sacroiliac joint using deviation analyses. Virtual models were created at the University of Tennessee‐Knoxville Donated Skeletal Collection from 69 os coxae and 66 sacra using an EinScan‐Pro 2× + Handheld Surface Scanner. The shape of the auricular surfaces was analyzed in Geomagic Wrap 2017, and the congruency of the two auricular surfaces was measured using a deviation analysis. ROC curves were performed on a reference sample composed of 200 commingled and non‐commingled joint pairs to identify threshold values that could help sort the commingled remains. A validation sample of 225 pairs was subsequently analyzed to demonstrate the efficacy of this new method on a sample of unknown individuals. Statistical analyses demonstrated that the deviation analysis values from sacroiliac joints of commingled pairs were significantly larger than those from non‐commingled individuals (p < 0.0001). Based on the selected threshold values, 98%–100% of pairs were correctly sorted and reassociated. This novel and objective technique improves upon previously subjective strategies for sorting commingled remains and, in the future, will be applied to additional joint surfaces.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel method for sorting and reassociating commingled human remains using deviation analysis

Litavec

2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…One of the primary aims of this work was to determine the degree of success that can be expected when applying the automated version of mesh-to-mesh value comparison to pair-matching clavicles. The only studies published, to date, on this method ( Table 3 ) are on humeri [ 19 ], temporal bones [ 20 ], mandibular fossae and condyles [ 26 ], and phalanges [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The late-maturing nature of the clavicle is another factor worth consideration when attempting to compare the results of pair-matching clavicles to other studies relying on more typical long or other bones [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 26 ]. The sample used in this study included eight individuals under the age of 28 years old.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the application of MVC to incomplete remains has not been thoroughly explored by other researchers to date, that aspect of this study was highly exploratory in nature. A recent study by Acuff et al applied the MVC method to isolated portions of bone using the mandibular condyles and fossae as a sample [ 26 ]. The difference in this study is that the MVC comparisons were made between clavicle fragments and their intact clavicle counterpart as opposed to matching bone fragments to other fragments consisting of the same isolated portion of the entire bone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this vein, the present study adopted the MVC methodology [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 26 ] to investigate its utility in pair-matching clavicles, a paired element that has received limited attention in pair-matching studies. In addition to developing a method for complete clavicles, the study aims to pair-match fragments for the first time, as these can be often encountered in commingled situations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the Functionality of Mesh-to-Mesh Value Comparison in Pair-Matching and Its Application to Fragmentary Remains

McWhirter

Karell

et al. 2021

Biology

Self Cite

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Many cases encountered by forensic anthropologists involve commingled remains or isolated elements. Common methods for analysing these contexts are characterised by limitations such as high degrees of subjectivity, high cost of application, or low proven accuracy. This study sought to test mesh-to-mesh value comparison (MCV), a relatively new method for pair-matching skeletal elements, to validate the claims that the technique is unaffected by age, sex and pathology. The sample consisted of 160 three-dimensional clavicle models created from computed tomography (CT) scans of a contemporary Turkish population. Additionally, this research explored the application of MVC to match fragmented elements to their intact counterparts by creating a sample of 480 simulated fragments, consisting of three different types based on the region of the bone they originate from. For comparing whole clavicles, this resulted in a sensitivity value of 87.6% and specificity of 90.9% using ROC analysis comparing clavicles. For the fragment comparisons, each type was compared to the entire clavicles of the opposite side. The results included a range of sensitivity values from 81.3% to 87.6%. Overall results are promising and the MVC technique seems to be a useful technique for matching paired elements that can be accurately applied to a Modern Turkish sample.

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An exclusionary screening method based on 3D morphometric features to sort commingled atlases and axes

Cappella,

Palamenghi,

Solazzo

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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In forensic commingled contexts, when the disarticulation occurs uniquely at the atlantoaxial joint, the correct match of atlas and axis may lead to the desirable assembly of the entire body. Notwithstanding the importance of this joint in such scenarios, no study has so far explored three-dimensional (3D) methodologies to match these two adjoining bones. In the present study, we investigated the potential of re-associating atlas and axis through 3D–3D superimposition by testing their articular surfaces congruency in terms of point-to-point distance (Root Mean Square, RMS). We analysed vertebrae either from the same individual (match) and from different individuals (mismatch). The RMS distance values were assessed for both groups (matches and mismatches) and a threshold value was determined to discriminate matches with a sensitivity of 100%. The atlas and the corresponding axis from 41 documented skeletons (18 males and 23 females), in addition to unpaired elements (the atlas or the axis) from 5 individuals, were superimposed, resulting in 41 matches and 1851 mismatches (joining and non-joining elements). No sex-related significant differences were found in matches and mismatches (p = 0.270 and p = 0.210, respectively), allowing to pool together the two sexes in each group. RMS values ranged between 0.41 to 0.77 mm for matches and between 0.37 and 2.18 mm for mismatches. Significant differences were found comparing the two groups (p < 0.001) and the highest RMS of matches (0.77 mm) was used as the discriminative value that provided a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 41%. In conclusion, the 3D–3D superimposition of the atlanto-axial articular facets cannot be considered as a re-association method per se, but rather as a screening one. However, further research on the validation of the 3D approach and on its application to other joints might provide clues to the complex topic of the reassociation of crucial adjoining bones.

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Pair-Matching Digital 3D Models of Temporomandibular Fragments Using Mesh-To-Mesh Value Comparison and Implications for Commingled Human Remain Assemblages

Cited by 5 publications

References 44 publications

A novel method for sorting and reassociating commingled human remains using deviation analysis

A novel method for sorting and reassociating commingled human remains using deviation analysis

Exploring the Functionality of Mesh-to-Mesh Value Comparison in Pair-Matching and Its Application to Fragmentary Remains

An exclusionary screening method based on 3D morphometric features to sort commingled atlases and axes

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