Reconstruction and physical fit analysis of fragmented skeletal remains using 3D imaging and printing

Collings, Amber J.; Brown, Katherine

doi:10.1016/j.fsir.2020.100114

Cited by 15 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…In a casework context, the ability to share data between practitioners, and/or re-assess material after being signed out of the laboratory, cannot be understated, especially in a DVI situation (de Boer et al, 2019). Where required, accurate 3D osteological models can also be printed based on CT data of an appropriate resolution (e.g., Collings & Brown, 2020;Robles et al, 2020;and see below). Such data combined not only contribute to casework requirements, but facilitate quantitative research used to inform forensic practice; for example, including (but not limited to) developing contemporary population specific anthropological standards (Franklin & Blau, 2020) and assessing trauma and/or pathology (e.g., Biggs et al, 2020;Spies et al, 2021).…”

Section: Radiographymentioning

confidence: 99%

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

Franklin

Marks

2021

WIREs Forensic Science

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The modern practice of forensic anthropology is focused on the quantification of skeletal variation based upon a qualitative prowess developed according to theory and method in the parent discipline of biological anthropology. Such morphological variances allow estimates of biological attributes, for example, age, sex, population affinity, stature, pathology of disease processes-among others, that collectively may resolve the identification of unknown forensic human remains.The latter is a basic human right under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) afforded to descendants who go missing in armed conflicts and other violence-base situations. The specific traditional methods applied by the forensic anthropologist are well established in the published literature and routinely supported by global research that guides graduate programs designed to train the next generation of practitioners. Important in that cornerstone literature and graduate training regimen are aspects of our practice that are increasingly cross-disciplinary, especially those grounded in the molecular, chemical, and histological sciences. These upper-tier endeavors supplement and many times, validate, the traditional approaches as dictated by case context. This review focuses on evolving cross-disciplinary developments and novel research trends in the analysis of human remains that involve the specific expertise of the forensic anthropologist.

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Section: Radiographymentioning

confidence: 99%

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

Franklin

Marks

2021

WIREs Forensic Science

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“…For example, it has been used to identify pediatric rib fractures in cases of child abuse [10,11] or to evaluate full-thickness fractures of the skull in cases involving blunt force trauma [12]. Recently, the application of 3D printing technology for court use has been proposed, creating models of fragmented skeletal remains or bone injuries based on micro-CT scans, to replicate the bone surface geometry with a sub-millimeter accuracy [13][14][15].…”

Section: Fracturementioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic applications of micro-computed tomography: a systematic review

Franchetti

Viel

Fais

et al. 2022

Clin Transl Imaging

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Purpose The aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of micro-CT current applications in forensic pathology, anthropology, odontology, and neonatology. Methods A bibliographic research on the electronic databases Pubmed and Scopus was conducted in the time frame 01/01/2001–31/12/2021 without any language restrictions and applying the following free-text search strategy: “(micro-computed tomography OR micro-CT) AND (forensic OR legal)”. The following inclusion criteria were used: (A) English language; (B) Application of micro-CT to biological and/or non-biological materials to address at least one forensic issue (e.g., age estimation, identification of post-mortem interval). The papers selected by three independent investigators have been then classified according to the investigated materials. Results The bibliographic search provided 651 records, duplicates excluded. After screening for title and/or abstracts, according to criteria A and B, 157 full-text papers were evaluated for eligibility. Ninety-three papers, mostly (64) published between 2017 and 2021, were included; considering that two papers investigated several materials, an overall amount of 99 classifiable items was counted when referring to the materials investigated. It emerged that bones and cartilages (54.55%), followed by teeth (13.13%), were the most frequently analyzed materials. Moreover, micro-CT allowed the collection of structural, qualitative and/or quantitative information also for soft tissues, fetuses, insects, and foreign materials. Conclusion Forensic applications of micro-CT progressively increased in the last 5 years with very promising results. According to this evidence, we might expect in the near future a shift of its use from research purposes to clinical forensic cases.

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“…Micro-CT is a non-invasive, transmissive scan method that captures volumetric data using x-radiation of a sample that rotates within the scan chamber [ 13 ]. Its value in casework has been presented for histological analysis such as species identification [ 14 ], for soft and hard tissue examination in forensic pathology [ 15 ], for physical fit analysis of bone fragments [ 16 ], and for cutmark analysis [ 3 , 17 ]. The analysis of micromorphological details is important for evaluative interpretation in forensic casework in terms of indicating possible trauma (e.g., cutmarks or striations), taphonomy (e.g., heat induced bones fractures), or pathology (e.g., evidence of disease or malnutrition).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multi-method assessment of 3D printed micromorphological osteological features

et al. 2022

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The evaluation of 3D printed osteological materials has highlighted the difficulties associated with accurately representing fine surface details on printed bones. Moreover, there is an increasing need for reconstructions to be demonstrably accurate and reliable for use in the criminal justice system. The aim of this study was to assess the surface quality of 3D prints (n = 9) that presented with micromorphological alterations from trauma, taphonomy and pathology processes. The archaeological bones were imaged using micro-CT scanning and 3D printed with selective laser sintering (SLS) printing. A multi-method experimental approach subsequently identified: (1) the 3D printed bones to be metrically accurate to within 1.0 mm; (2) good representation of micromorphological surface features overall, albeit with some loss of intricate details, depths, and fine textures that can be important for visual processing; (3) five of the nine 3D printed bones were quantitatively scored as accurate using the visual comparison method; and, (4) low mesh comparison distances (± 0.2 mm) between the original models and the digitised 3D print models. The findings offer empirical data that can be used to underpin 3D printed reconstructions of exhibits for use in courts of law. In addition, an adaptable pathway was presented that can be used to assess 3D print accuracy in future reconstructions.

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Reconstruction and physical fit analysis of fragmented skeletal remains using 3D imaging and printing

Cited by 15 publications

References 41 publications

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

Forensic applications of micro-computed tomography: a systematic review

A multi-method assessment of 3D printed micromorphological osteological features

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