NCJ Number
205128
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 49 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 203-207
Date Published
March 2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study compared the use of cranial sutures to establish positive identification of unknown human remains against the Daubert and Mohan criteria for admissibility in a court of law.
Abstract
As a discipline, forensic anthropology should be concerned with establishing reliable methods and techniques that can stand up to the Daubert and Mohan criteria for admissibility in a court of law. Forensic anthropological research and analyses should be handled in such a way that the results are useful in court and intelligible and compelling to a jury. The use of radiographic comparison of antemortem and postmortem cranial suture patterns to identify human remains is examined for conformance with the Daubert and Mohan criteria. The superimposition of antemortem and postmortem radiographs to compare suture line segments is a variation of Sekharan’s method of classifying suture types. Under examination is the reliability of the underlying principles of cranial suture identification; the use of tested, peer-reviewed, and reliable methods for cranial suture identification; established error rates and standards governing the operation of the identification technique; and the general acceptance of the method by the scientific community. Cranial suture patterns have been confirmed to be idiosyncratic, thus it is possible to calculate the uniqueness of a sutural configuration. The Daubert criteria of reliable principles can be met by demonstrating that the sutures occur in a specific combination, location, and orientation. The Daubert criteria of reliability, testability, and known error rates are also met by the radiographic technique. However, resolution of radiographs remains a major limitation and the usefulness of this technique will depend upon the availability of good antemortem radiographs. Forensic anthropological research should incorporate the Daubert and Mohan criteria into their work and should evaluate the work of others within this framework in order to establish a consensus about the value of particular techniques. The qualification of forensic anthropologists as expert witnesses should not present a problem for researchers who are actively engaged in case work, maintain teaching and research responsibilities, and enjoy good standing with their professional peers. References