Facial soft tissue depths in craniofacial identification (part II): an analytical review of the published sub-adult data

dc.contributor.authorStephan, C.N.
dc.contributor.authorSimpson, E.K.
dc.date.issued2008
dc.descriptionArticle first published online: 9 SEP 2008
dc.description.abstractPrior research indicates that while statistically significant differences exist between subcategories of the adult soft tissue depth data, magnitudes of difference are small and possess little practical meaning when measurement errors and variations between measurement methods are considered. These findings raise questions as to what variables may or may not hold meaning for the sub-adult data. Of primary interest is the effect of age, as these differences have the potential to surpass the magnitude of measurement error. Data from the five studies in the literature on sub-adults which describe values for single integer age groups were pooled and differences across the ages examined. From 1 to 18 years, most soft tissue depth measurements increased by less than 3 mm. These results suggest that dividing the data for children into more than two age groups is unlikely to hold many advantages. Data were therefore split into two groups with the division point corresponding to the mid-point of the observed trends and main data density (0–11 and 12–18 years; division point = 11.5 years). Published sub-adult data for seven further studies which reported broader age groups were pooled with the data above to produce the final tallied soft tissue depth tables. These tables hold the advantages of increased sample sizes (pogonion has greater than 1770 individuals for either age group) and increased levels of certainty (as random and opposing systematic errors specific to each independent study should average out when the data are combined).
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityCarl N. Stephan and Ellie K. Simpson
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Forensic Sciences, 2008; 53(6):1273-1279
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00853.x
dc.identifier.issn0022-1198
dc.identifier.issn1556-4029
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/87164
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherWiley
dc.rights© 2008 American Academy of Forensic Sciences
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00853.x
dc.subjectforensic science; soft tissue thickness; facial approximation; facial reproduction; facial reconstruction; superimposition
dc.titleFacial soft tissue depths in craniofacial identification (part II): an analytical review of the published sub-adult data
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files