U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Testing the Validity of Radiographic Comparisons in Positive Identifications, Final Technical Report
NCJ Number
              248638

Author(s)
          Ann H. Ross .;
                        Alicja K. Lanfear;
                        Ashley B. Maxwell
Date Published

September 2014
Length
              50 pages
Annotation
              This research is the start of a systematic validation of radiographic comparison methods for making positive identifications of decomposed bodies based on several anatomical features and skeletal characteristics.
Abstract
              Three standard body regions were selected for this study of the anonymous radiographs of 858 adults and 148 juveniles from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner: lateral cranial radiographs, chest radiographs, and radiographs of the proximal femur. Overall, the study established the minimum number of concordant areas needed to confirm positive identifications in three standard radiographic views. All three methods used to assess cranial vault outlines in lateral cranial radiographs determined that the shape of the vault is not sufficiently unique to make an individual identification. Two or more points of concordance are required in lateral cranial radiographs for a 97-percent probability of a positive identification. The results of the chest radiographic analysis showed that the anatomical elements with the most predictive values were the cervical vertebrae. If more than one concordant feature exists, there is a 99-percent probability of a correct identification If no cervical concordant features are presents, four or more concordant features of the other vertebrae are required for a 98-percent probability of having a correct identification. This probability drops to 79 percent when less than four concordant lumbar features are present. For the femur, if there is one or more femoral head concordant features, the probability of a correct identification is 93 percent and 97 percent with concordant neck traits. For the greater trochanter, the probability is 76 percent with one or more concordant features and 93 percent if there are two or more concordant features for the lesser trichinae. The system used should serve as a model for future research on positive identification using radiographs. 17 figures, 6 tables, and 45 references
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2010-DN-BX-K214


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Test/Measurement
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)


  
  
        
  Award
        Testing the Validity of Radiographic Comparisons inPositive Identifications
    
  
  
Date Published: September 1, 2014
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Bone analysis
        Criminology
        Medicolegal death investigations
        Forensic laboratories
        Forensic sciences



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Technical Note – Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Photo Diode Array Ultraviolet Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA UV-MS)
                  Technical Note – Gas Chromatography Vapor-Phase Infrared Spectroscopy (GC-VIR)
                  Score-based Likelihood Ratio Properties for the Specific-Source Identification Problem
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov