Study on the performance of different craniofacial superimposition approaches (II): Best practices proposal. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Damas, S.; Wilkinson, C.; Kahana, T.; Veselovskaya, E.; Abramov, A.; Jankauskas, R.; Jayaprakash, P.T.; Ruiz, E.; Navarro, F.; Huete, M.I.; Cunha, E.; Cavalli, F.; Clement, J.; Lestón, P.; Molinero, F.; Briers, T.; Viegas, F.; Imaizumi, K.; Humpire, D.; Ibáñez, O.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 257(2015)
• Page Start: 504
• Page End: 508
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Forensic anthropology -- Craniofacial superimposition -- MEPROCS -- Craniofacial identification -- Forensic Anthropology Population Data; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: The current manuscript can be considered the first standard in the field. This first study facilitated an international agreement on different aspects of CFS. The proposed best practices will help practitioners to make a decision on the applicability of CFS in daily forensic caseworks. Abstract: Craniofacial superimposition, although existing for one century, is still a controversial technique within the scientific community. Objective and unbiased validation studies over a significant number of cases are required to establish a more solid picture on the reliability. However, there is lack of protocols and standards in the application of the technique leading to contradictory information concerning reliability. Instead of following a uniform methodology, every expert tends to apply his own approach to the problem, based on the available technology and deep knowledge on human craniofacial anatomy, soft tissues, and their relationships. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of different craniofacial superimposition methodologies and the corresponding technical approaches to this type of identification. With all the data generated, some of the most representative experts in craniofacial identification joined in a discussion intended to identify and agree on the most important issues that have to be considered to properly employ the craniofacial superimposition technique. As a consequence, the consortium has produced the current manuscript, which can be considered the first standard in the field; including good and bad practices, sources of error and uncertainties, technological requirements and desirable features, and finally a common scale for the craniofacial matching evaluation. Such a document is intended to be part of a more complete framework for craniofacial superimposition, to be developed during the FP7-founded project MEPROCS, which will favour and standardize its proper application.