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Reliability of Visually Comparing Small Frontal Sinuses

NCJ Number
232874
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2010 Pages: 1413-1415
Author(s)
Victoria A. Smith, M.N.S.; Angi M. Christensen, Ph.D.; Sarah W. Myers, B.S.
Date Published
November 2010
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This study investigated frontal sinus comparison for personal identification.
Abstract
Several studies have investigated frontal sinus comparison for personal identification. One study addressed the statistical reliability of correct identification using automated digital methods and resulted in a 96 percent accuracy rate. Missed matches with the digital methods generally involved small, less featured sinuses. This study investigates the hypothesis that human examiners may be able to more accurately identify correct matches than digital methods, even when the comparisons involve small frontal sinuses. Participants were provided 2 sets of 28 radiographs and were instructed to identify matching radiographs and list the radiographs that did not have a corresponding match. Overall, error rates were low, with correct associations identified at a rate of 0.983. No incorrect associations ("false positives") were made. Correct association rates were highest among participants "experienced" examining radiographs. Results support previous assertions that frontal sinus radiographs are a reliable means of personal identification even when the frontal sinuses are small. (Published Abstract)

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