Standardized Anthropological Measurement of Postcranial Bones Using Three-Dimensional Models in CAD Software

Mikaela S Reynolds; Donna M MacGregor; Mark D Barry; Nicolene Lottering; Beat Schmutz; Lance J Wilson; Matthew Meredith; Laura S Gregory

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.07.015

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Standardized Anthropological Measurement of Postcranial Bones Using Three-Dimensional Models in CAD Software

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Standardized Anthropological Measurement of Postcranial Bones Using Three-Dimensional Models in CAD Software

Mikaela S Reynolds, Donna M MacGregor, Mark D Barry, Nicolene Lottering, Beat Schmutz, Lance J Wilson, Matthew Meredith and Laura S Gregory

Forensic Science International, Vol.278, pp.381-387

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.07.015

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Abstract

forensic anthropology

multi-slice computed tomography

reverse engineering

technical error of measurement

precision

observer-agreement

This study introduces a standardized protocol for conducting linear measurements of postcranial skeletal elements using three-dimensional (3D) models constructed from postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) scans. Using femoral DICOM datasets, reference planes were generated and plane-to-plane measurements were conducted on 3D surface rendered models. Bicondylar length, epicondylar breadth, anterior-posterior (AP) diameter, medial-lateral (ML) diameter and cortical area at the midshaft were measured by four observers to test the measurement error variance and observer agreement of the protocol (n=6). Intraobserver error resulted in a mean relative technical error of measurement (%TEM) of 0.11 and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.999 (CI=0.998-1.000); inter-observer error resulted in a mean %TEM of 0.54 and ICC of 0.996 (CI=0.979-1.000) for bicondylar length. Epicondylar breadth, AP diameter, ML diameter and cortical area also yielded minimal error. Precision testing demonstrated that the approach is highly repeatable and is recommended for implementation in anthropological investigation and research. This study exploits the benefits of virtual anthropology, introducing an innovative, standardized alternative to dry bone osteometric measurements.

Details

Title: Standardized Anthropological Measurement of Postcranial Bones Using Three-Dimensional Models in CAD Software
Authors: Mikaela S Reynolds (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Donna M MacGregor (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Mark D Barry (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Nicolene Lottering (Author) - University of Adelaide
Beat Schmutz (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Lance J Wilson (Author) - Monash University
Matthew Meredith (Author) - Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services
Laura S Gregory (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Forensic Science International, Vol.278, pp.381-387
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.07.015
ISSN: 0379-0738
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450418402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Medicine, Legal