Visual inspection of standard photographs taken from skull and mandible to set anthropological profile: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: Despite the effectiveness and accuracy of the primary methods of human identification based on comparison between post- and antemortem information, in cases where there is no possibility of confrontation due to the absence of antemortem data, auxiliary methods can establish a profile of the victim and direct a search that may culminate in identification. Forensic anthropology is the field that can assist in human identification cases through the analysis of bone remains, which can collaborate in the definition of a possible profile of the victim, called an anthropological profile. Aim: Analyze the applicability of the visual inspection of standard photographs of the skull and mandible for sex, age, and ancestry. Materials and Methods: Ten skulls and their respective jaws were photographed, and a file with all the photographs was made available by an online platform to a group of ten criminal experts (specialized in forensic odontology) who filled a form with information about sex, ancestry, and age. Results: Were obtained percentages of correctness and error of 67.86% and 32.14%, respectively, for sex determination, 88.57% and 11.43% for age estimation, and 63.57% and 27.86% for ancestry, with 8.57% of responses left blank in the last one. Conclusion: Visual inspection of the standard photographs of the skull and mandible for the establishment of anthropological profile presented limited findings, and need to be carefully analyzed and applicable only if the direct examination is not possible..