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
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 16-21, 2009, in Denver, CO.

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)