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                            Library & Multimedia
 Observer error and its impact on ancestry estimation using dental morphology
NCJ Number
              307035
Journal

*International Journal of Legal Medicine* Volume: 133 Dated: 2019 Pages: 949-962
Author(s)
          Marin A. Pilloud;
                        Donovan M. Adams;
                        Joseph T. Hefner
Date Published

2019
Length
              14 pages
Annotation
              This article presents research into the use and accuracy of dental morphology forensic anthropology.
Abstract
              Dental morphology is becoming increasingly visible in forensic anthropology as part of the estimation of ancestry. As methods are developed based on these data, it is important to understand the role of observer error in data collection and method application. In this study, 10 observers collected dental morphological data on 19 traits on the same set of nine plaques. Various measures of interrater reliability were calculated to assess observer error. Data were then input into one of three ancestry estimation methods based on dental morphology to understand the role of observer error in these methods. Results show low rater reliability for all dental morphological traits when all 10 observers are compared. Rater reliability increases when only experienced observers are compared and traits are dichotomized. Further, differences in trait scores by observers resulted in disparate estimations of ancestry in each of the methods. While observer error appears to be an issue in dental morphological methods of ancestry estimation, these problems can be addressed. An argument is made for advanced training in dental anthropology in laboratories and in graduate programs. Further, methods need to test for and employ traits with high rater agreement.(Published Abstract Provided)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2017-DN-BX-0143
                                2015-DN-BX-K012


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)


  
  
        
  Award
        A Macromorphoscopic Databank: Establishing the Statistical Analysis of Macromorphoscopic Data in Forensic Anthropology
                                A Dental Anthropological Databank for Use in the Statistical Estimation of Ancestry and Sex in Forensic Anthropology
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2019
    
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