NCJ Number
229068
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 59 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2009 Pages: 609-625
Date Published
December 2009
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study addressed some of the considerations concerning the quantification of dental characteristics posed by the Daubert trilogy and the questions concerning intra-observer and inter-observer consistency.
Abstract
This study shows that both inter-observer and intra-observer consistency can be tested and documented. The study demonstrated that a high-level of inter-observer agreement was achieved between the independent examiners. In addition, there was a high level of intra-observer consistency. Results established that selected tooth characteristics are quantifiable. The interdependence of the relation of some of the anterior teeth was further demonstrated using pairwise Pearson correlation. Statistics on the rotation of the incisors, especially the inward rotation of the medial surface was shown to be especially significant and was similar to the findings of angles of rotation studied by Bernitz; Bernitz's measurements, however, differed because they were from an entirely different population sample composed of both males and females in a broad age range. Data were collected from 419 volunteers who were digitally scanned using 2 computer programs and whose characteristics were measured and frequency calculated. References, figures, and tables