Positive Identification Using Frontal Sinus Comparisons: Developing Empirically Based Guidelines

• NCJ Number: 309828
• Author(s): Lauren N. Butaric
• Date Published: September 2024
• Length: 31 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2020-75-CX-0013
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Grant Sponsored)

Annotation

In this study, researchers developed empirically based guidelines for positive identification using frontal sinus comparisons.

Abstract

This project developed several recommendations for forensic practitioners using the frontal sinus for identification purposes in varying scenarios. Most identification methods utilizing frontal sinuses either have relatively small sample sizes and/or have not been externally validated, thus the most accurate and repeatable frontal sinus method has not been established. Further, other external factors such as sex- and population-based differences in sinus appearance and whether slight differences in orientation, age, and/or varying image modality between ante- and post-mortem images affect sinus identification methods—have not been fully explored. Grant activities included the assessment of 1,850 of total images (1,625 radiographs; 225 3D models) across 933 individuals, collection of 14 different coded frontal sinus traits and 16 measurements, and 1,785 total traced outlines (note sample size and variables collected vary per objective). As part of this project, eight distinct databases (with associated ReadMe files) of frontal sinus traits across varying image modalities have been created and are freely available on Zenodo for future researchers to utilize. Additionally, 281 physical frontal sinus radiographs from the Terry Collection were digitized and provided to the Smithsonian Institution, from which future researchers can request access to. Through data collection exercises, this project has contributed research experiences, radiographic/CT scan training, and/or training in forensic identification procedures to 11 total graduate/medical students, as well as mentoring to one post-doctoral researcher. Those student and post-doctoral researchers have been included as co-authors on published abstracts and manuscripts listed in the Artifacts and Dissemination Sections.