The macromorphoscopic databank

Abstract

The development of identification standards in forensic anthropology requires large and appropriate reference samples comprising individuals with modern birth years. Recent advances in macromorphoscopic trait data collection and analysis have created a need for reference data for classification models and biological distance analyses. The Macromorphoscopic Databank (N ∼ 7,397) serves that function, making publicly available trait scores for a large sample (n = 2,363) of modern American populations and world-wide groups of various geographic origins (n = 1,790). In addition, the MaMD stores reference data for a large sample (n = 3,244) of pre-, proto- and historic Amerindian data, useful for biodistance studies and finer-levels of analysis during NAGPRA-related investigations and repatriations. In developing this database, particular attention was given to the level of classification needed during the estimation of ancestry in a forensic context. To fill the knowledge gap that currently exists in the analysis of these data, the following overview outlines many of the issues and their potential solutions. Developing valuable tools that are useful to other practitioners is the purpose of growing a databank. As the Macromorphoscopic Databank develops through data collection efforts and contributions from the field, its utility as a research and teaching tool will also mature, in turn creating a vital resource for forensic anthropologists for future generations.

Secular change in morphological cranial and mandibular trait frequencies in European Americans born 1824–1987

“…Data were collected for 501 individuals, 19–96 years old, from the Hamann‐Todd Skeletal Collection in Cleveland, OH, and from 512 individuals, 24–97 years old, from the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Additional data for 107 individuals from the Hamann‐Todd and Bass Skeletal Collections were provided by the Macromorphoscopic Databank (MaMD) (Hefner, 2018) to increase the sample size. In total, 1,120 individuals were analyzed, with a total of 498 females and 622 males represented.…”

Ancestry Estimation Using Cranial and Postcranial Macromorphoscopic Traits

“…The sample from the Bass Collection represents American Black ( n = 61) and American White ( n = 153) individuals with 19th and 20th century birth years, including females ( n = 101) and males ( n = 113) ranging in age between 23 and 99 years. The cranial data were provided by the Macromorphoscopic Databank (MaMD) .…”

“…Standardization of these traits was intended to increase the objective implementation of cranial morphology in forensic anthropological analyses and to ensure their validity in ancestry estimations . Testing and validation of cranial MMS traits suggest standardization has improved the MMS approach for trait analysis ; however, there remains a significant gap in postcranial MMS trait analyses as they pertain to estimations of ancestry.…”

Ancestry estimation in forensic anthropology: A review

“…Prior to 2018, there were no large‐scale data repositories for cranial MMS traits representing forensically significant populations (Pink, Maier, Pilloud, & Hefner, ). Working within a grant from the National Institute of Justice (2015‐DN‐BX‐K012), Hefner () initiated a large‐scale, global data collection effort to include cranial MMS trait data from modern populations for the purposes of forensic research. Data recorded in the Macromorphoscopic Databank (MaMD) include age, sex, and self‐reported or known ancestry at multiple levels of resolution (Hefner, ).…”