@article{cummaudo_obertova_lynnerup_petaros_boer_baccino_steyn_cunha_ross_adalian_et al._2024, title={Age assessment in unaccompanied minors: assessing uniformity of protocols across Europe}, ISSN={["1437-1596"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00414-024-03157-8}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE}, author={Cummaudo, Marco and Obertova, Zuzana and Lynnerup, Niels and Petaros, Anja and Boer, Hans and Baccino, Eric and Steyn, Maryna and Cunha, Eugenia and Ross, Ann and Adalian, Pascal and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Jan} }
 @article{hale_ross_2023, title={Investigating the Timing and Extent of Juvenile and Fetal Bone Diagenesis in a Temperate Environment}, volume={12}, ISSN={["2079-7737"]}, DOI={10.3390/biology12030403}, abstractNote={Simple Summary Understanding bone diagenesis, or alteration, in juvenile and fetal remains has important implications for forensic science. First, it can suggest information about the deposition of the remains and a possible postmortem interval (PMI). Second, it can assist in evaluating bone integrity and the potential for molecular testing of these remains for forensic purposes. This study investigates how early bone diagenesis is observed in fetal and juvenile mammalian remains as well as differences in degradation based on the deposition of the remains (e.g., blanket wrapping, shallow burial, etc.). We found that there were differences in the extent of bone diagenesis between depositions, with bagged remains exhibiting relatively less degradation over time than the other three depositions, while buried remains exhibited the greatest extent of degradation over time. However, all the remains showed bone diagenesis regardless of time of interment or deposition, with all remains exhibiting alteration as early as three months. This is consistent with adult remains, although the presentation of alteration differs and is likely related to developmental differences between subadult and adult bone. Abstract It is well understood that intrinsic factors of bone contribute to bone diagenesis, including bone porosity, crystallinity, and the ratio of organic to mineral components. However, histological analyses have largely been limited to adult bones, although with some exceptions. Considering that many of these properties are different between juvenile and adult bone, the purpose of this study is to investigate if these differences may result in increased degradation observed histologically in fetal and juvenile bone. Thirty-two fetal (n = 16) and juvenile (n = 16) Sus scrofa domesticus femora subject to different depositions over a period of two years were sectioned for histological observation. Degradation was scored using an adapted tunneling index. Results showed degradation related to microbial activity in both fetal and juvenile remains across depositions as early as three months. Buried juvenile remains consistently showed the greatest degradation over time, while the blanket fetal remains showed more minimal degradation. This is likely related to the buried remains’ greater contact with surrounding soil and groundwater during deposition. Further, most of the degradation was seen in the subendosteal region, followed by the subperiosteal region, which may suggest the initial microbial attack is from endogenous sources.}, number={3}, journal={BIOLOGY-BASEL}, author={Hale, Amanda R. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2023}, month={Mar} }
 @article{keys_ross_2022, title={Identifying Blunt Force Traumatic Injury on Thermally Altered Remains: A Pilot Study Using Sus scrofa}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2079-7737"]}, DOI={10.3390/biology11010087}, abstractNote={Simple Summary Human remains are often burned in an effort to conceal the identity of the victim and/or obscure traumatic injuries related to the death event. Thermal exposure can produce artifacts resembling trauma and disguise preexisting trauma. However, there is a paucity of experimental studies with varied results addressing the differentiation of thermally induced artifacts from traumatic signatures. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted a small-scale study using domestic pigs as correlates to test the impact of thermal alteration on blunt force trauma to the cranium. Two tools (e.g., hammer and crowbar) were utilized to manually inflict injuries on the human analogs before controlled burning in an outdoor environment. The results of this experiment demonstrated that the most diagnostic variable to differentiate thermally induced alternations from blunt force fractures was fracture pattern. Abstract In forensic scenarios involving homicide, human remains are often exposed to fire as a means of disposal and/or obscuring identity. Burning human remains can result in the concealment of traumatic injury, the creation of artifacts resembling injury, or the destruction of preexisting trauma. Since fire exposure can greatly influence trauma preservation, methods to differentiate trauma signatures from burning artifacts are necessary to conduct forensic analyses. Specifically, in the field of forensic anthropology, criteria to distinguish trauma from fire signatures on bone is inconsistent and sparse. This study aims to supplement current forensic anthropological literature by identifying criteria found to be the most diagnostic of fire damage or blunt force trauma. Using the skulls of 11 adult pigs (Sus scrofa), blunt force trauma was manually produced using a crowbar and flat-faced hammer. Three specimens received no impacts and were utilized as controls. All skulls were relocated to an outdoor, open-air fire where they were burned until a calcined state was achieved across all samples. Results from this experiment found that blunt force trauma signatures remained after burning and were identifiable in all samples where reassociation of fragments was possible. This study concludes that distinct patterns attributed to thermal fractures and blunt force fractures are identifiable, allowing for diagnostic criteria to be narrowed down for future analyses.}, number={1}, journal={BIOLOGY-BASEL}, author={Keys, Kamryn and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2022}, month={Jan} }
 @article{churchill_keys_ross_2022, title={Midfacial Morphology and Neandertal-Modern Human Interbreeding}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2079-7737"]}, DOI={10.3390/biology11081163}, abstractNote={Simple Summary Studies of human fossils, and the DNA extracted from them, reveal a complex history of interbreeding between various human lineages over the last one hundred thousand years. Of particular interest is the nature of the population interactions between the Neandertals of Ice Age Europe and western Asia and the modern humans that eventually replaced them. Here, we used six measurements of the facial skeleton, in samples of Neandertal and early modern human fossils, in an exploratory study aimed at trying to identify geographic regions (from the Near East to western Europe) where interbreeding may have been prevalent enough to have left a signal in the facial morphology of the early modern humans of those regions. Although fossil sample sizes were in some cases very small, the results are consistent with the Near East having played an important role in the introduction of Neandertal genes into the genomes of living humans. Abstract Ancient DNA from, Neandertal and modern human fossils, and comparative morphological analyses of them, reveal a complex history of interbreeding between these lineages and the introgression of Neandertal genes into modern human genomes. Despite substantial increases in our knowledge of these events, the timing and geographic location of hybridization events remain unclear. Six measures of facial size and shape, from regional samples of Neandertals and early modern humans, were used in a multivariate exploratory analysis to try to identify regions in which early modern human facial morphology was more similar to that of Neandertals, which might thus represent regions of greater introgression of Neandertal genes. The results of canonical variates analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis suggest important affinities in facial morphology between both Middle and Upper Paleolithic early modern humans of the Near East with Neandertals, highlighting the importance of this region for interbreeding between the two lineages.}, number={8}, journal={BIOLOGY-BASEL}, author={Churchill, Steven E. and Keys, Kamryn and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2022}, month={Aug} }
 @article{cunha_ross_2022, title={Recent Advances in Forensic Anthropological Methods and Research}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2079-7737"]}, DOI={10.3390/biology11060908}, abstractNote={This Special Issue, "Recent Advances in Forensic Anthropological Methods and Research", with thirteen articles covers a wide range of highly diverse topics within forensic anthropology [...].}, number={6}, journal={BIOLOGY-BASEL}, author={Cunha, Eugenia and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2022}, month={Jun} }
 @article{ross_williams_2021, title={Ancestry Studies in Forensic Anthropology: Back on the Frontier of Racism}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2079-7737"]}, DOI={10.3390/biology10070602}, abstractNote={Simple Summary Within the practice of forensic anthropology ancestry is oftentimes used as a proxy for social race. This concept and its implications were explored via a content analysis (2009–2019) of the Journal of Forensic Sciences. Our findings revealed antiquated views of race based on the trifecta of continental populations (Asia, Europe, and Africa) continue to be pervasive in the field despite scientific invalidation of the concept of race decades earlier. Moreover, our employment of modern geometric morphometric and spatial analysis methods on craniofacial coordinate anatomical landmarks from several Latin American samples produced results in which the groups were not patterned by ancestry trifecta. Based on our findings we propose replacing the assumption of continental ancestry with a population structure approach that combines microevolutionary and cultural factors with historical events in the examination of population affinity. Abstract One of the parameters forensic anthropologists have traditionally estimated is ancestry, which is used in the United States as a proxy for social race. Its use is controversial because the biological race concept was debunked by scientists decades ago. However, many forensic anthropologists contend, in part, that because social race categories used by law enforcement can be predicted by cranial variation, ancestry remains a necessary parameter for estimation. Here, we use content analysis of the Journal of Forensic Sciences for the period 2009–2019 to demonstrate the use of various nomenclature and resultant confusion in ancestry estimation studies, and as a mechanism to discuss how forensic anthropologists have eschewed a human variation approach to studying human morphological differences in favor of a simplistic and debunked typological one. Further, we employ modern geometric morphometric and spatial analysis methods on craniofacial coordinate anatomical landmarks from several Latin American samples to test the validity of applying the antiquated tri-continental approach to ancestry (i.e., African, Asian, European). Our results indicate groups are not patterned by the ancestry trifecta. These findings illustrate the benefit and necessity of embracing studies that employ population structure models to better understand human variation and the historical factors that have influenced it.}, number={7}, journal={BIOLOGY-BASEL}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Williams, Shanna E.}, year={2021}, month={Jul} }
 @article{williams_ross_2021, title={Ethical dilemmas in skeletal collection utilization: Implications of the Black Lives Matter movement on the anatomical and anthropological sciences}, ISSN={["1932-8494"]}, DOI={10.1002/ar.24839}, abstractNote={The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has brought to the public eye longstanding issues of social and racial injustice which have permeated the experiences of individuals of African ancestry in the United States and abroad for centuries. Motivated by a desire to disassemble a framework of systemic racism, the BLM movement has infiltrated numerous social and political arenas including the sciences, demanding change. The impact of the BLM movement is evident in the attention recently garnered by protests of museum skeletal collections' acquisition and handling of African/African American human remains. It is from this vantage point that we explore the ethical issues pervasive within United States skeletal collections and forensically relevant issues surrounding the unclaimed decedents of marginalized populations; colonial/imperial ideological formations, which construct and sustain power differentials in anatomization; and conceive of a path forward that prioritizes personhood.}, journal={ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY}, author={Williams, Shanna E. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2021}, month={Dec} }
 @article{petaros_caplova_verna_adalian_baccino_boer_cunha_ekizoglu_ferreira_fracasso_et al._2021, title={Technical Note: The Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE) Map of Identified Osteological Collections}, volume={328}, ISSN={["1872-6283"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110995}, abstractNote={Identified (documented) osteological collections represent an important resource in the development of forensic anthropology standards and methods as well as a precious tool for learning and training of practitioners. Even though the number of papers presenting identified collections worldwide increases, many of the collections have still not been divulged to the scientific community in sufficient detail to ascertain their exact number. The Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE) therefore developed a tool that goes beyond sporadic publications: the FASE Map of Identified Osteological Collections, which is freely accessible and continuously updated and revised. The online map is available at http://forensicanthropology.eu/osteological-collections/. The map of skeletal collections was created in 2017 and currently displays information on 153 identified osteological collections (43 of them categorized as contemporary) located in 41 different countries. This article offers a short analysis of the type, geographical location and content of the collections included in the map. The aim of this article and the map as such is to provide a useful resource to facilitate research planning and teaching in forensic anthropology and related disciplines.}, journal={FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL}, author={Petaros, Anja and Caplova, Zuzana and Verna, Emeline and Adalian, Pascal and Baccino, Eric and Boer, Hans H. and Cunha, Eugenia and Ekizoglu, Oguzhan and Ferreira, Maria Teresa and Fracasso, Tony and et al.}, year={2021}, month={Nov} }
 @article{ross_pilloud_2021, title={The need to incorporate human variation and evolutionary theory in forensic anthropology: A call for reform}, ISSN={["1096-8644"]}, DOI={10.1002/ajpa.24384}, abstractNote={In 1992, Norm Sauer called for a language shift in which practitioners would move away from the socially loaded term "race" and replace it with the less provocative term "ancestry." While many heeded the call and moved towards ancestry in their research and reports, the actual approach to research and analysis did not change. In response to this change, there was a large growth in ancestry estimation method development in the early decade of the 2000s. However, the practice of ancestry estimation did not adequately incorporate evolutionary theory in interpretation or trait selection and continued with little critical reflection. In the past decade, there has been an increase in ancestry validation methods with little critique of the "race" concept or discussion of modern human variation or reference samples. To advance, forensic anthropologists need to reckon with the practice of ancestry estimation as it is currently practiced. We are calling for another reform in the axiom focusing on evolutionary theory, population history, trait selection, and population-level reference samples. The practice needs to abandon the terms ancestry and race completely and recalibrate to an analysis of population affinity. Population affinity is a statistical approach based on the underlying population structure that would allow the understanding of how microevolutionary forces act in concert with historical events (e.g., colonization, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, etc.) to shape modern human variation. This is not to be confused with geographic ancestry that all too often can be perceived as interchangeable with social race and as an affirmation of the biological concept of race. It is time to critically evaluate the social and scientific implications of the current practice of ancestry estimation, and re-frame our approach to studying and analyzing modern human variation through a population structure approach.}, journal={AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Pilloud, Marin}, year={2021}, month={Aug} }
 @article{keegan_young_lefebvre_pateman_hanna_newsom_mistretta_ciofalo_ross_2021, title={Unique Lucayan sand dune burials at the Rolling Heads site, Long Island, The Bahamas}, ISSN={["1099-1212"]}, DOI={10.1002/oa.3055}, abstractNote={Abstract The skeletal remains of nearly 100 Indigenous Bahamians, called Lucayans, have been recovered in the Bahama archipelago (Lucayan Islands). Until now, virtually, all were recovered from wet and dry caves, caverns, and blue holes, most of which lacked specific evidence for mortuary practices. In the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, two human crania were found on Lowe's Beach, Long Island, The Bahamas. In addition, two burial areas were identified in the face of the adjacent, north‐facing, Atlantic coast sand dune. The human remains were identified as Indigenous Lucayans based on the intentional fronto‐occipital modification of the crania. These are the first open‐air, sand dune burials to be excavated systematically in The Bahamas, and they provide new insights regarding Lucayan burial practices and lifeways. This article describes the unique environmental and cultural contexts of Lucayan individuals who were buried at the Rolling Heads site. The local geomorphology reflects long‐term processes of dune erosion and remodeling that suggest that an unknowable number of additional individuals were buried at the site. The physical characteristics and mortuary practices are different from those observed elsewhere in the Caribbean, highlighting regional diversity and local practices. They raise the question of why different portals were used to transmit the dead to their afterlife. Finally, these individuals are contributing to regional studies assessing biological and cultural identities through genome‐wide DNA, phenotypic morphometrics, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope reconstruction of diet, strontium isotope assessment of origins, and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating to evaluate the timing of human dispersal across the Bahama archipelago. The Lucayans did not survive the Spanish invasion, but there is much to be learned from their remains.}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY}, author={Keegan, William F. and Young, Colleen B. and LeFebvre, Michelle J. and Pateman, Michael P. and Hanna, Jonathan A. and Newsom, Lee Ann and Mistretta, Brittany A. and Ciofalo, Andy J. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2021}, month={Oct} }
 @article{ross_keegan_pateman_young_2020, title={Faces Divulge the Origins of Caribbean Prehistoric Inhabitants}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2045-2322"]}, DOI={10.1038/s41598-019-56929-3}, abstractNote={Abstract The origins of the first peoples to colonize the Caribbean Islands have been the subject of intense debate for over 30 years. Competing hypotheses have identified five separate migrations from the mainland with a separate debate concerning the colonization of The Bahamas. Significant differences in the facial morphology of the pre-Columbian inhabitants of Hispaniola and Cuba led to the present study of Lucayan skulls from The Bahamas. The goal was to determine which group the native Lucayans more closely resembled to resolve this long-standing dispute. The results indicate that they are related to groups from Hispaniola and Jamaica and not to Cuban inhabitants. This study clarified the larger picture of Caribbean migrations and supports evidence for a Carib invasion of the Greater Antilles around AD 800.}, number={1}, journal={SCIENTIFIC REPORTS}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Keegan, William F. and Pateman, Michael P. and Young, Colleen B.}, year={2020}, month={Jan} }
 @article{boer_obertova_cunha_adalian_baccino_fracasso_kranioti_lefevre_lynnerup_petaros_et al._2020, title={Strengthening the role of forensic anthropology in personal identification: Position statement by the Board of the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE)}, volume={315}, ISSN={["1872-6283"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110456}, abstractNote={In this position statement, the Board members of the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE) argue that forensic anthropology methods can be used as means of personal identification, particularly in situations with limited availability of traditional identification methods (i.e. dactyloscopy, odontology, and molecular genetic analysis). This statement has been issued taking into account the international migration crises related to thousands of deaths worldwide, in which the utility of these traditional means of identification has been sporadic to non-existent. The statement is however not limited to deaths related to the migration crises, as similar problems may occur in fatalities en masse such as in natural disasters and armed conflicts, and on a smaller scale in cases of homeless or otherwise socioeconomically disadvantaged persons. The number of reports on personal identification based on sound anthropological methodology is increasing in the scientific literature. However, more research is needed to develop evidence-based standard operating procedures and statistical frameworks. It remains essential to raise awareness among forensic practitioners, law enforcement, and judiciary professionals on the utility of forensic anthropology in cases where it can provide sufficient information for identification.}, journal={FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL}, author={Boer, Hans H. and Obertova, Zuzana and Cunha, Eugenia and Adalian, Pascal and Baccino, Eric and Fracasso, Tony and Kranioti, Elena and Lefevre, Philippe and Lynnerup, Niels and Petaros, Anja and et al.}, year={2020}, month={Oct} }
 @article{bethard_berger_maiers_ross_2019, title={Bone Mineral Density Adult Age Estimation in Forensic Anthropology: A Test of the DXAGE Application}, volume={64}, ISSN={["1556-4029"]}, DOI={10.1111/1556-4029.13987}, abstractNote={Estimating age‐at‐death of individuals represented only by skeletonized human remains is a fundamental aspect of forensic anthropological casework. Recently, several researchers have proposed that bone mineral density (BMD) is a useful predictor of age‐at‐death in forensic contexts. Navega et al. (JFS 63(2):497–503) developed an online application called DXAGE for calculating age‐at‐death from BMD parameters. This study tests the utility of DXAGE by utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). BMD data from a female subsample (n = 470) of the NHANES 2007–2008 dataset were analyzed, and the relationship between predicted age and real age was examined. Inaccuracy was 14.25 years, and bias was −7.20 years. Results show that there is a weak correlation between predicted and actual age (r = 0.47) using the DXAGE application. While BMD data are potentially useful for predicting age age‐at‐death, the DXAGE application should be used cautiously in forensic anthropological contexts.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Bethard, Jonathan D. and Berger, Jacqueline M. and Maiers, Justin and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={1125–1128} }
 @misc{stephan_ross_2019, title={Commentary on: Stephan CN, Ross AH. Letter to the Editor-A Code of Practice for the Establishment and Use of Authentic Human Skeleton Collections in Forensic Anthropology. J Forensic Sci 2018;63(5):1604-7 Response}, volume={64}, ISSN={["1556-4029"]}, DOI={10.1111/1556-4029.14079}, abstractNote={Sir, We are very pleased that our letter (1) has generated a dialogue on practices concerning skeleton extraction/acquisition. This is a very important topic and one to which the universally recognized human right to dignity and respect in death is indeed highly applicable (1). Notably, this topic has not received prior attention in the skeletal collection or forensic anthropology literature (see e.g., (2–5)), which is not only why we raise it in our letter but also why we proactively provide solutions in the form of a Code of Practice for disclosure. We welcome discussion that brings this high priority item even further to the fore and appreciate Dr. John Albanese and Dr. Hugo Cardoso’s commentary on the Code we propose in this context. The gravity of the matter we raise clearly, however, goes underappreciated by Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso, as evidenced by their intent to divert attention from the primary issue we raise to multiple other broader scope secondary items. Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso thereby fail to pause to realize that the innovation we provide is not one of prescribing a list of mandatory rules (in fact our Code does not prescribe rules), but rather the provision of a disclosure tool that encourages self-regulation and compliance by peer review of skeleton extraction/acquisition practices (1). This is, in part, useful because it circumvents many of the practical challenges of prescribed rules in the international context and completely circumvents Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso’s fear of only few individuals defining standards (1). As a consequence of an inability to disassociate their preconceived notions of Code “rules” from what it is we in fact wrote (1), Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso inadvertently entangle themselves in multiple and often contradictory nonissues with regards to the Code. We gratefully welcome the opportunity to redress these below. We start with four overarching main concepts Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso have confused: 1 The code we present is a voluntary disclosure tool, not an enforceable suite of rules Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso have confused the unorthodox voluntary and nonenforceable Code we propose for other Codes of Practice (or Conduct) that prescribe specific rules —otherwise why insist a simple disclosure must go for stakeholder review and oversight? We trust that this represents a good-faith slip rather than a bid for stakeholder censorship given Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso’s stipulation that skeleton collection funding arrangements warrant stakeholder consultation. The prime issue at hand is not the funding or the stakeholders; rather, it is and should be the universally recognized human right to dignity and respect in death of persons comprising these collections (6–12). Utility for forensic anthropology or other research purposes must come second. We very clearly stated that our focus was on information provision, not prescribed rules (1) p. 1605. The exact words we used were “[this Code] does not prescribe or specify an ethnocentric Code of Ethics nor does it prescribe technical methods that collection managers are mandatorily bound to follow. Rather, it prescribes full, open, and transparent disclosure of all osteological acquisition methods chosen to be employed at the discretion of collection managers” (p. 1605). At multiple places throughout our letter, we re-emphasize the disclosure component; we actually use the word disclosure 10 times across the total 2.5 page length of the original letter. As a disclosure tool, which is voluntary and nonenforceable, Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso have seemingly little to fear—our Code amounts on paper to nothing more than a suggestion and one that collection managers are free to ignore if they so choose. As described in our letter (1), the aim of this information provision was to provide the necessary detail for the broader community to evaluate what counts as appropriate skeleton production/acquisition practices. We thereby do not unilaterally dictate standards with our Code as Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso allege (13); rather, we provide a voluntary information tool for those standards to be established by the user community as an outcome of industry-wide peer review of practices disclosed in accordance with the Code. All the important attributes that Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso (13) allege are missing from our Code (peer review and consensus) are, to the exact contrary, strategically and purposefully inbuilt into its framework. For the vast majority of collections, each disclosure will likely be a mundane, short, and very straightforward process in administrative paperwork. If and where active accessioning practices fall short of community expectations, the combination of three key attributes—(i) highly sensitive topic matter of skeleton extraction from deceased persons’ bodies, (ii) universally agreed human right to dignity and respect in death (6–12), and (iii) open disclosure process subject to peer evaluation—provides a powerful combination for selfregulatory “muscle.” The magnitude of this compliance encouragement is likely much more than that attainable by unenforceable lip service statements to minimum standards, as especially applies in the international context. 2 The code purposefully focuses on skeleton extraction/acquisition practices The Code was never intended to represent the “be-all and end-all” of skeleton curation practice as Dr. Albanese and Dr. Cardoso (13) emotionally project. Our focus was on active modern-day accessioning of individuals into collections and especially in the acquired cadaver domain per our opening paragraph (1). This topic carries prime obligations to dignity and respect in death (6–12) that we openly prioritize above other routine skeletal collection curation matters, such as the management of osteological deterioration that accompanies use that has been raised elsewhere (14). It was not our intent to address all collection curation *The views and opinions expressed herein are entirely those of the authors. They are not to be construed as official views of any institutions, editorial boards, or governing bodies to which the authors may be affiliated. Received 24 April 2019; accepted 24 April 2019.}, number={5}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Stephan, Carl N. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2019}, month={Sep}, pages={1579–1582} }
 @article{ross_ubelaker_2019, title={Complex Nature of Hominin Dispersals: Ecogeographical and Climatic Evidence for Pre-Contact Craniofacial Variation}, volume={9}, ISSN={["2045-2322"]}, DOI={10.1038/s41598-019-48205-1}, abstractNote={Abstract Coordinate data analysis of ancient crania from the New World reveals complexity in interpretation when addressing ancient population dispersals. The results of this study generally support a geographic patterning for the New World; however, it also revealed a much more complex and multifactorial mechanism shaping craniofacial morphology that should be considered when investigating ecogeographic models for hominin dispersals. We show that craniofacial variation is not the result of a single mechanism but is a much more complex interaction of environmental and microevolutionary forces.}, journal={SCIENTIFIC REPORTS}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Ubelaker, Douglas H.}, year={2019}, month={Aug} }
 @book{ross_cunha_2019, place={London}, title={Dismemberments : perspectives in forensic anthropology and legal medicine}, ISBN={9780128119495 9780128119129}, DOI={10.1016/C2016-0-01481-X}, publisher={Academic Press}, year={2019} }
 @article{obertova_adalian_baccino_cunha_de boer_fracasso_kranioti_lefevre_lynnerup_petaros_et al._2019, title={The Status of Forensic Anthropology in Europe and South Africa: Results of the 2016 FASE Questionnaire on Forensic Anthropology}, volume={64}, ISSN={["1556-4029"]}, DOI={10.1111/1556-4029.14016}, abstractNote={One of the goals of the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE) is to map the existing education and practice opportunities in the field of forensic anthropology in order to support the development of the discipline and to optimize the training courses provided by the Society. To address this goal, an online questionnaire was sent to European and South African practitioners of forensic anthropology and related disciplines in 2016. The results of the questionnaire showed that the status and roles of forensic anthropologists vary depending on the national legal systems, education, and employment status of the practitioners. Despite the fact that the expertise of forensic anthropologists has been increasingly requested in a variety of investigations and the spectrum of tasks has become broader, including identification of living persons, specialized education in forensic anthropology is still restricted to a few graduate and postgraduate programs in European countries and to annual FASE courses.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Obertova, Zuzana and Adalian, Pascal and Baccino, Eric and Cunha, Eugenia and De Boer, Hans H. and Fracasso, Tony and Kranioti, Elena and Lefevre, Philippe and Lynnerup, Niels and Petaros, Anja and et al.}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={1017–1025} }
 @article{paschall_ross_2018, title={Biological sex variation in bone mineral density in the cranium and femur}, volume={58}, ISSN={["1876-4452"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.scijus.2018.01.002}, abstractNote={Sex and age trends in bone mineral density (BMD) play an important role in the estimation of age-at-death (AAD) of unidentified human remains. Current methodologies lack the ability to precisely estimate age in older individuals. In this study, BMD of the cranium and femur measured by DXA were examined to establish their applicability for age estimation in older adults. BMD as measured by DXA, is most commonly used clinically for prediction of osteoporotic fracture risk. We hypothesized that weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing bones, the femur and cranium, respectively, would provide valuable insights for aging.The sample consists of 32 sets of excised cranial fragments from the Regional Forensic Center, Johnson City, Tennessee and 41 associated crania and femora from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. All crania and femora were scanned using a Hologic (R) DXA scanner and data were analyzed using Student t-tests, Loess regression, and ANOVA.Student t-tests indicate a significant relationship between the sexes and cranial BMD and a significant relationship between age cohorts and femoral neck BMD. The Loess regression showed different aging patterns in the cranium for females and males older than 55. And the ANOVA showed changes in femoral neck after age 55.These results indicate age and sex dependent changes in BMD especially for individuals over the age of 55, which offers improvement from current aging methods for older individuals. Further research using a larger sample size could improve the predictive capabilities of the model.}, number={4}, journal={SCIENCE & JUSTICE}, author={Paschall, Anna and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2018}, month={Jul}, pages={287–291} }
 @article{ross_hale_2018, title={Decomposition of juvenile-sized remains: a macro- and microscopic perspective}, volume={3}, ISSN={2096-1790 2471-1411}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2018.1489362}, DOI={10.1080/20961790.2018.1489362}, abstractNote={Abstract There is currently a dearth of research investigating the progression and rate of decomposition for juvenile remains. It is thought that juveniles and infants decompose at an increased rate relative to adults due simply to body mass and that skeletal preservation is commonly dependent on intrinsic levels of bone mineral density (BMD). This study investigates the environmental variables important in driving juvenile decomposition as well as examining if currently accepted methodology for quantifying adult decomposition can be applied to juvenile remains. Furthermore, histological analysis is undertaken to test the Histological Index (HI) as a semi-quantitative indicator of decomposition. Thirty-five Sus scrofa ranging between 1.8 and 22.7 kg were deposited to simulate body mass of human infant and juvenile remains. Pigs were deposited every season over two years in the southeastern US with five depositional types: bagged, blanket wrapped, and surface control foetal remains, surface, and buried juvenile remains. Remains were scored quantitatively throughout soft tissue decomposition. Following study completion and skeletonization, a femur was selected from each set of remains for histological analysis. Thick sections were assessed under standard brightfield light and scored using Oxford Histological Index (OHI). Results indicate that seasonal variation is an important factor to consider even when using a standardized time variable such as accumulated degree days (ADD), particularly variation in soil moisture. Soil moisture was a consistent significant variable in the mixed effects model. The pattern of decomposition using total body score (TBS) was similar to that observed by others prior to log transformation with a rapid incline early in decomposition with levelling off. The correlation between time in days, ADD, and TBS was not as strong as those previously reported (R2 = 0.317 and 0.499, respectively) suggesting that TBS as it is currently formulated cannot be directly applied to juvenile remains. Finally, the OHI model performed moderately well, but was variable even within seasons across multiple years.}, number={4}, journal={Forensic Sciences Research}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Hale, Amanda R.}, year={2018}, month={Sep}, pages={310–319} }
 @article{hale_ross_2018, title={Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts}, ISSN={["1940-087X"]}, DOI={10.3791/56713}, abstractNote={The purpose of this paper is to introduce a promising, novel method to aid in the assessment of bone quality in forensically relevant skeletal remains. BMD is an important component of bone's nutritional status and in skeletal remains of both juveniles and adults, and it can provide information about bone quality. For adults remains, it can provide information on pathological conditions or when bone insufficiency may have occurred. In juveniles, it provides a useful metric to elucidate cases of fatal starvation or neglect, which are generally difficult to identify. This paper provides a protocol for the anatomical orientation and analysis of skeletal remains for scanning via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Three case studies are presented to illustrate when DXA scans can be informative to the forensic practitioner. The first case study presents an individual with observed longitudinal fractures in the weight bearing bones and DXA is used to assess bone insufficiency. BMD is found to be normal suggesting another etiology for the fracture pattern present. The second case study employed DXA to investigate suspected chronic malnutrition. The BMD results are consistent with results from long bone lengths and suggest the juvenile had suffered from chronic malnutrition. The final case study provides an example where fatal starvation in a fourteen-month infant is suspected, which supports autopsy findings of fatal starvation. DXA scans showed low bone mineral density for chronological age and is substantiated by traditional assessments of infant health. However, when dealing with skeletal remains taphonomic alterations should be considered before applying this method.}, number={131}, journal={JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS}, author={Hale, Amanda R. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2018}, month={Jan} }
 @article{ferreira_ross_cunha_2017, title={A reflection on the maintenance of identified skeletal collections state of preservation}, volume={8}, ISSN={1878-6529}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.MEDLEG.2017.10.017}, DOI={10.1016/J.MEDLEG.2017.10.017}, abstractNote={The importance of the identified skeletal collections for research and teaching in anthropology is well-known and widely reported. In fact, in recent years, there has been a growing number of new collections around the world, such as the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection curated in Coimbra, Portugal, the University of Athens Human Skeletal Reference Collection (Greece), Milano Skeletal Collection (Italy), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Collection of Identified Human Skeletons (Spain), Granada Osteological Collection (Spain), and the Human Skeletal Reference Collection of Modern and Identified Filipinos (Philippines) to name a few. However, little if any publications have been published about the impact these collections and their state of preservation in the realms of research and teaching. Through the comparative analysis of the general preservation index carried out in a sample of the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection (CEI/XXI) in 2009 and in 2017, the question of the preservation is addressed. In 2009, Ferreira (2012) examined the preservation of 29 bone/anatomical regions of 70 adult skeletons. In February 2017, the same procedure was made. During this seven years’ period, these skeletons have been used in post-graduation classes, and for various research projects including thermal modification. A Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to examine changes in preservation and show that 55.2% of the cases showed significant changes in preservation (K < 0.40) and in 44.8% of the skeletons showed moderate changes (0.40 > K < 0.60). In most cases, the current degradation of the skeletons is due to the continuous handling for research and teaching. What precautions should be taken in the future to slow down the skeletal degradation? Should the access to these collections be restricted? Nevertheless, the aim and value of these collections is precisely to provide material available for research and training of future anthropologists.}, number={4}, journal={La Revue de Médecine Légale}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Ferreira, Maria Teresa and Ross, Ann Helen and Cunha, Eugénia}, year={2017}, month={Dec}, pages={186} }
 @article{paschall_ross_2017, title={Bone mineral density and wounding capacity of handguns: implications for estimation of caliber}, volume={131}, ISSN={["1437-1596"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00414-016-1420-6}, number={1}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE}, author={Paschall, Anna and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2017}, month={Jan}, pages={161–166} }
 @article{hens_ross_2017, title={Cranial Variation and Biodistance in Three Imperial Roman Cemeteries}, volume={27}, ISSN={["1099-1212"]}, DOI={10.1002/oa.2602}, abstractNote={Ancient Roman populations are expected to exhibit considerable biological variation due to extensive trade networks and migration patterns throughout Europe and the circum-Mediterranean. The purpose of this research is to examine regional biological variation in Italy during Imperial Roman times (I-III Centuries AD) using three samples exhibiting distinctive class and economic systems. The individuals buried at Isola Sacra and Velia represent middle class tradesmen and merchants from coastal port populations from central and southern Italy, respectively; while the individuals from Castel Malnome represent an inland population near Rome of freed slaves and other lower class individuals, involved in heavy labor associated with salt production. Data were recorded from 25 three-dimensional cranial coordinate landmarks and analyzed using Procrustes Superimposition and associated multivariate statistics in MORPHOJ. 
 
Procrustes ANOVA statistics were unable to detect any significant group differences for centroid size (p=0.595); but did detect differences in shape (p=0.0154), suggesting some variation between the three samples. Canonical variates analyses based on Procrustes distance values suitable for small sample sizes indicated that while Castel Malnome was not significantly different from either of the coastal sites (Isola Sacra, p=0.2071 and Velia, p=0.8015); Isola Sacra and Velia were significantly different (p=0.0119). The similarity of Castel Malnome to the other sites may reflect inherent heterogeneity in the sample, as it represents a group of freed slaves likely originating from various geographic locations. The separation of the two coastal sites is not unexpected, as Velia's location was influenced by an influx of Greek populations in the southern Italian peninsula. This work supports previous studies using traditional craniometrics and dental metrics showing group similarity across the Italian peninsula and a separation between more northern and southern groups.}, number={5}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY}, author={Hens, S. M. and Ross, A. H.}, year={2017}, pages={880–887} }
 @article{moore_ross_2017, title={Frontal Sinus Development and Juvenile Age Estimation}, volume={300}, ISSN={["1932-8494"]}, DOI={10.1002/ar.23614}, abstractNote={Assessment of development is an important component of age estimation in juveniles. One area that has not been fully investigated as a possible aging method is the development of the frontal sinus. The frontal sinuses form when the ectocranial table of the frontal bone separates from the endocranial table forming an air pocket in the bone. The endocranial table ceases growth with the brain, while the ectocranial table is displaced anteriorly as the facial bones continue growth. In order to examine growth and the utility of the frontal sinuses for age estimation, 392 radiographs were examined (♀=159 and ♂=233) from the Juvenile Radiograph Database at North Carolina State University and the Patricia Database from Mercyhurst University. The sample included individuals who ranged in age from 0 to 18 years. Anterior view (or AP) radiographs were examined and were grouped based upon the presence or absence of the frontal sinus. Individuals were grouped into four age categories. A one‐way ANOVA was performed to test whether developmental phase was related to age. Results from the ANOVA show that developmental phase is significantly related to age (P <.0001). An ordinal logistic regression was conducted to examine whether developmental phase could be used to predict age. The results of the logistic regression suggest that developmental phase is an accurate indicator of age (P <.0001, df = 1, Chi‐Squared = 537.2428); however, the age ranges can be quite wide and should be utilized alongside other established methods of age estimation. Anat Rec, 300:1609–1617, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.}, number={9}, journal={ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY}, author={Moore, Kaitlin and Ross, Ann}, year={2017}, month={Sep}, pages={1609–1617} }
 @article{ross_2017, title={Human identification and global patterns of craniofacial variation}, volume={8}, ISSN={1878-6529}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.MEDLEG.2017.10.002}, DOI={10.1016/J.MEDLEG.2017.10.002}, abstractNote={Research into the genetic admixture proportions from different geographic areas in the United States through autosomal markers demonstrates a complex process with differences in the extent of European contributions to Southern and non-southern African-Americans. There is a global mass migration crisis of people escaping war, starvation, and displacement. These demographic shifts and migration have further increased human identification of undocumented border crossers. What contribution can craniofacial measures make to this global problem? Data for seven West African samples were collected as part of the 3D-ID, Geometric Morphometric Classification of Crania for Forensic Scientists software. Six of the West-African samples were collected from the American Museum of Natural History in NYC and the Angolan sample was collected from the Bocage Museum in Lisbon. Samples from Diaspora populations including modern African Americans, and African Slaves from Cuba are also analyzed and compared.}, number={4}, journal={La Revue de Médecine Légale}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Ross, Ann H.}, year={2017}, month={Dec}, pages={180} }
 @article{hale_ross_2017, title={The Impact of Freezing on Bone Mineral Density: Implications for Forensic Research}, volume={62}, ISSN={["1556-4029"]}, DOI={10.1111/1556-4029.13273}, abstractNote={It is common for researchers using animal or human remains for scientific study to freeze samples prior to use. However, effects of freezing on bone macro‐ or microstructure are relatively unknown. The research objective of this study was to determine whether freezing could potentially bias experimental results by analyzing changes in bone mineral density (BMD) with the freezing of remains over time. Eight fetal pigs were scanned to determine their initial BMD before freezing. Three piglets underwent a freeze‐thaw cycle to assess the effects of the freezing process. Four piglets were frozen and scanned weekly for 20 weeks to assess freezing over time. The overall average between the fresh initial scan and final frozen scan was significantly different (p < 0.001). Per contra, the final thawed BMD scans did not differ from the initial fresh scan (p = 0.418). Thus, completely thawed remains are recommended for experimental studies.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Hale, Amanda R. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2017}, month={Mar}, pages={399–404} }
 @article{urbanova_ross_jurda_splichalova_2017, title={The virtual approach to the assessment of skeletal injuries in human skeletal remains of forensic importance}, volume={49}, ISSN={["1532-2009"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jflm.2017.05.015}, abstractNote={While assessing skeletal injuries in human skeletal remains, forensic anthropologists are frequently presented with fractured, fragmented, or otherwise modified skeletal remains. The examination of evidence and the mechanisms of skeletal injuries often require that separate osseous elements be permanently or temporarily reassembled or reconstructed. If not dealt with properly, such reconstructions may impede accurate interpretation of the evidence. Nowadays, routine forensic examinations increasingly incorporate digital imaging technologies. As a result, a variety of PC-assisted imaging techniques, collectively referred to as the virtual approach, have been made available to treat fragmentary skeletal remains. The present study employs a 3D virtual approach to assess mechanisms of skeletal injuries, and provides an expert opinion of causative tools in three forensic cases involving human skeletal remains where integrity was compromised by multiple peri- or postmortem alterations resulting in fragmentation and/or incompleteness. Three fragmentary skulls and an incomplete set of foot bones with evidence of perimortem fractures (gunshot wounds) and sharp force trauma (saw marks) were digitized using a desktop laser scanner. The digitized skeletal elements were reassembled in the virtual workspace using functionalities incorporated in AMIRA® version 5.0 software, and simultaneously in real physical space by traditional reconstructive approaches. For this study, the original skeletal fragments were substituted by replicas built by 3D printing. Inter-method differences were quantified by mesh-based comparison after the physically reassembled elements had been re-digitized. Observed differences were further reinforced by visualizing local variations using colormaps and other advanced 3D visualization techniques. In addition, intra-operator and inter-operator error was computed. The results demonstrate that the importance of incorporating the virtual approach into the assessment of skeletal injuries increases with the complexity and state of preservation of a forensic case. While in relatively simple cases the virtual approach is a welcome extension to a traditional approach, which merely facilitates the analysis, in more complex and extensively fragmentary cases such as multiple gunshot wounds or dismemberment, the virtual approach can be a crucial step in applying the principles of gunshot wounds or sharp force traumatic mechanisms. The unrestricted manipulation with digital elements enabling limitless repairs and adjustments to a "best-case scenario" also produced smaller inter-operator variation in comparison to the traditional approach.}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC AND LEGAL MEDICINE}, author={Urbanova, Petra and Ross, Ann H. and Jurda, Mikolas and Splichalova, Ivana}, year={2017}, month={Jul}, pages={59–75} }
 @article{urbanova_ross_2016, title={Advanced methods in 3-D craniofacial morphological analysis}, journal={Biological Distance Analysis: Forensic and Bioarchaeological Perspectives}, author={Urbanova, P. and Ross, A. H.}, year={2016}, pages={61–90} }
 @article{ross_2016, title={Comment 5: A forensic anthropologist can be a bioarchaeologist, but should a bioarchaeologist be a forensic anthropologist?}, volume={17}, number={2}, journal={Intersecciones en Antropologia}, author={Ross, A. H.}, year={2016}, pages={155–156} }
 @article{ross_juarez_urbanova_2016, title={Complexity of assessing migrant death place of origin}, journal={Biological Distance Analysis: Forensic and Bioarchaeological Perspectives}, author={Ross, A. H. and Juarez, C. A. and Urbanova, P.}, year={2016}, pages={265–283} }
 @article{ross_kimmerle_2016, title={Contribution of quantitative methods in forensic anthropology a new era}, journal={Handbook of forensic anthropology and archaeology, 2nd edition}, author={Ross, A. H. and Kimmerle, E. H.}, year={2016}, pages={622–634} }
 @article{steyn_voeller_botha_ross_2016, title={Cribra orbitalia: Prevalence in contemporary populations}, volume={29}, ISSN={0897-3806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/CA.22734}, DOI={10.1002/CA.22734}, abstractNote={The prevalence of cribra orbitalia (CO) is often used as an indicator of the general health status of past populations. Although debates as to its exact etiology are still ongoing, cribra is generally accepted to be the result of an anemic condition. Cribra has been reported to be declining in modern populations or even to be absent. The aim of this study was to compare modern, historic, and prehistoric prevalences of CO to assess whether it has changed through time and if it still occurs in contemporary populations. CO in skeletons (n = 844) from two widely different regions, the northeastern US and the central Gauteng area of South Africa, were compared in order to evaluate temporal trends. The sample comprised 245 prehistoric, 381 historic, and 218 modern skeletons. In adult skeletons the prevalence was found to be lower in historic South Africans (2.23%) than in historic North Americans (6.25%). It was lower in modern North Americans than in modern South Africans (12.35 and 16.8%, respectively). Its prevalence in prehistoric North Americans (11.86%) was also not much different from that of modern North Americans (12.35%). The frequency of CO in historic South African juveniles was higher (10.71%) than in historic North American juveniles (1.35%). Modern South African children had a lower frequency (25.14%) than modern American juveniles (40%), although the sample in the North American group was small. It seems that CO is still present in modern populations, and that health may indeed have declined for some groups in recent times. Clin. Anat. 29:823–830, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.}, number={7}, journal={Clinical Anatomy}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Steyn, Maryna and Voeller, Sarah and Botha, Deona and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2016}, month={Jun}, pages={823–830} }
 @article{ross_lanfear_maxwell_2016, title={Establishing Standards for Side-by-Side Radiographic Comparisons}, volume={37}, ISSN={["1533-404X"]}, DOI={10.1097/paf.0000000000000223}, abstractNote={AbstractThe objectives of this research were to evaluate the use of various anatomical features that are visible in standard radiographs and to develop a standard system of assessing concordant features for making positive identifications through radiographic comparison.The radiographs used in the study include craniofacial (n = 41), chest (n = 100), and proximal femur (n = 49), which were made available by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Radiographs were scored for number of concordant features and were analyzed using classification decision trees. The accuracy of the classification tree models was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic.Two or more points of concordance are required in lateral cranial radiographs for a 97% probability of a positive identification. If more than 1 concordant feature exists on the cervical vertebrae, there is a 99% probability of correct identification. For thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, 4 or more concordant features are required for a 98% probability of correct identification. If there are 1 or more femoral head and neck concordant features, the probability of a correct identification is 94% and 97%, respectively. This study established the minimum number of concordant areas needed to confirm positive identifications in 3 standard radiographic views.}, number={2}, journal={AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Lanfear, Alicja K. and Maxwell, Ashley B.}, year={2016}, month={Jun}, pages={86–94} }
 @article{fournier_ross_2016, title={Sex, Ancestral, and Pattern Type Variation of Fingerprint Minutiae: A Forensic Perspective on Anthropological Dermatoglyphics}, volume={160}, ISSN={["1096-8644"]}, DOI={10.1002/ajpa.22869}, abstractNote={OBJECTIVES
The majority of anthropological studies on dermatoglyphics examine the heritability and inter-population variation of Level 1 detail (e.g., pattern type, total ridge count), while forensic scientists concentrate on individual uniqueness of Level 2 and 3 detail (e.g., minutiae and pores, respectively) used for positive identification. The present study bridges the gap between researcher-practitioner by examining sex, ancestral, and pattern type variation of Level 2 detail (e.g., minutiae).


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Bifurcations, ending ridges, short ridges, dots, and enclosures on the right index finger of 243 individuals (n = 61 African American ♀; n = 61 African American ♂; n = 61 European American ♀; n = 60 European American ♂) were analyzed. The overall effect of sex, ancestry, and pattern type on minutiae variation was assessed using a MANCOVA. ANOVA was used to identify Level 2 detail variables responsible for the variation. Logistic regression was used to classify individuals into groups.


RESULTS
The effect of sex is insignificant. Ancestry is significant (Wilks' λ = 0.053 F value = 2.98, DF = 4,224, P value = 0.02), as is pattern type (Wilks' λ = 0.874 F value = 2.57, DF = 12,592.94, P value = 0.003). The ANOVA reveals that bifurcations are responsible for the variation between ancestral groups, while bifurcations and ending ridges vary between patterns. Logistic regression results suggest that total bifurcations can predict the ancestry of an individual (ChiSq = 6.55, df = 1, Prob > ChiSq = 0.01).


DISCUSSION
Significant minutiae variation between ancestral groups yields information that is valuable in both a forensic and anthropological setting. Am J Phys Anthropol 160:625-632, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.}, number={4}, journal={AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY}, author={Fournier, Nichole A. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2016}, month={Aug}, pages={625–632} }
 @misc{ross_juarez_2016, title={Skeletal and radiological manifestations of child abuse: Implications for study in past populations}, volume={29}, ISSN={["1098-2353"]}, DOI={10.1002/ca.22683}, abstractNote={Child abuse in its various types such as physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect has been document throughout history. However, before the mid‐20th century, inflicted injuries to children was overlooked in part because children were often viewed as property. According to the World Health Organization, 57,000 children were the victims of homicide in the year 2000. In this paper we present the skeletal and radiological manifestation of physical abuse and fatal neglect and provide recommendations to assess child maltreatment from past populations. Pediatric biomechanical factors and healing are discussed as it is important to keep in mind that children are not just small adults. Skeletal and radiological indicators of nonaccidental or inflicted injuries are reviewed from the literature. Inflicted injuries are presented based on specificity to identify child abuse. In addition, skeletal indicators that could help assess fatal starvation are also reviewed and metabolic diseases are proposed as potential evidence of neglect. A recent child homicide is presented and used to illustrate the difficulty in assessing child maltreatment. Present‐day clinical child abuse protocols are used to provide recommendations to assess child abuse in a bioarchaeological context. Clin. Anat. 29:844–853, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.}, number={7}, journal={CLINICAL ANATOMY}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Juarez, Chelsey A.}, year={2016}, month={Oct}, pages={844–853} }
 @article{ibanez_valsecchi_cavalli_isabel huete_rosario campomanes-alvarez_campomanes-alvarez_vicente_navega_ross_wilkinson_et al._2016, title={Study on the criteria for assessing skull-face correspondence in craniofacial superimposition}, volume={23}, ISSN={["1344-6223"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.09.009}, abstractNote={Craniofacial superimposition has the potential to be used as an identification method when other traditional biological techniques are not applicable due to insufficient quality or absence of ante-mortem and post-mortem data. Despite having been used in many countries as a method of inclusion and exclusion for over a century it lacks standards. Thus, the purpose of this research is to provide forensic practitioners with standard criteria for analysing skull-face relationships. Thirty-seven experts from 16 different institutions participated in this study, which consisted of evaluating 65 criteria for assessing skull-face anatomical consistency on a sample of 24 different skull-face superimpositions. An unbiased statistical analysis established the most objective and discriminative criteria. Results did not show strong associations, however, important insights to address lack of standards were provided. In addition, a novel methodology for understanding and standardizing identification methods based on the observation of morphological patterns has been proposed.}, journal={LEGAL MEDICINE}, author={Ibanez, Oscar and Valsecchi, Andrea and Cavalli, Fabio and Isabel Huete, Maria and Rosario Campomanes-Alvarez, Blanca and Campomanes-Alvarez, Carmen and Vicente, Ricardo and Navega, David and Ross, Ann and Wilkinson, Caroline and et al.}, year={2016}, month={Nov}, pages={59–70} }
 @article{humphries_maxwell_ross_ubelaker_2015, title={A Geometric Morphometric Study of Regional Craniofacial Variation in Mexico}, volume={25}, ISSN={["1099-1212"]}, DOI={10.1002/oa.2345}, abstractNote={Spanish speaking populations in the USA have long been categorised under the umbrella term ‘Hispanic’, which is a cultural construct. The term Hispanic ignores the unique ethnohistories and biological variation among Hispanic groups with various European, African and indigenous American influences. Considerable heterogeneity has been identified in pre-contact America and has continued to influence the cultural and biological compositions of various regions today. The purpose of this research is to examine biological variation in Mexico, which was influenced by indigenous migration patterns and the Old World conquests of the Americans. Using multivariate statistics, this paper compares 16 three-dimensional craniometric landmarks of samples from northern Central Mexico, northern Yucatan and western Mexico to examine the regional biological variation present in Mexico in both prehistoric and historic groups and also compares Mexican, Spanish and African American groups to examine patterns of Old World conquests. Multivariate statistics detected significant group differences for both size and shape (centroid size, p < 0.0001; shape, p < 0.0001) and showed that while significantly different, all the Mexican groups are more similar to one another except for one prehistoric inland-western Mexican group, which is morphologically distinct from the other Mexican groups. Previous mtDNA research in these areas shows a low prevalence of African American admixture and a high indigenous component in the northern Mexican groups, which is consistent with the findings of this paper. The prehistoric and historic Mexican groups were the most similar indicating the retention of indigenous admixture after contact. The results from this analysis demonstrate that all groups are significantly different from one another supporting other findings that have shown that the indigenous populations of the New World are heterogeneous and that this variation may also contribute to the heterogeneity of contemporary populations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.}, number={6}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY}, author={Humphries, A. L. and Maxwell, A. B. and Ross, A. H. and Ubelaker, D. H.}, year={2015}, pages={795–804} }
 @article{stone_chew_ross_verano_2015, title={Craniofacial plasticity in ancient Peru}, volume={72}, ISSN={["0003-5548"]}, DOI={10.1127/anthranz/2015/0458}, abstractNote={Numerous studies have utilized craniometric data to explore the roles of genetic diversity and environment in human cranial shape variation. Peru is a particularly interesting region to examine cranial variation due to the wide variety of high and low altitude ecological zones, which in combination with rugged terrain have created isolated populations with vastly different physiological adaptations. This study examines seven samples from throughout Peru in an effort to understand the contributions of environmental adaptation and genetic relatedness to craniofacial variation at a regional scale. Morphological variation was investigated using a canonical discriminant analysis and Mahalanobis D(2) analysis. Results indicate that all groups are significantly different from one another with the closest relationship between Yauyos and Jahuay, two sites that are located geographically close in central Peru but in very different ecozones. The relationship between latitude/longitude and face shape was also examined with a spatial autocorrelation analysis (Moran's I) using ArcMap and show that there is significant spatial patterning for facial measures and geographic location suggesting that there is an association between biological variation and geographic location.}, number={2}, journal={ANTHROPOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER}, author={Stone, Jessica H. and Chew, Kristen and Ross, Ann H. and Verano, John W.}, year={2015}, pages={169–183} }
 @article{navega_vicente_vieira_ross_cunha_2015, title={Sex estimation from the tarsal bones in a Portuguese sample: a machine learning approach}, volume={129}, ISSN={["1437-1596"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00414-014-1070-5}, number={3}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE}, author={Navega, David and Vicente, Ricardo and Vieira, Duarte N. and Ross, Ann H. and Cunha, Eugenia}, year={2015}, month={May}, pages={651–659} }
 @article{ibanez_vicente_navega_wilkinson_jayaprakash_huete_briers_hardiman_navarro_ruiz_et al._2015, title={Study on the performance of different craniofacial superimposition approaches (I)}, volume={257}, ISSN={["1872-6283"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.05.030}, abstractNote={As part of the scientific tasks coordinated throughout The 'New Methodologies and Protocols of Forensic Identification by Craniofacial Superimposition (MEPROCS)' project, the current study aims to analyse the performance of a diverse set of CFS methodologies and the corresponding technical approaches when dealing with a common dataset of real-world cases. Thus, a multiple-lab study on craniofacial superimposition has been carried out for the first time. In particular, 26 participants from 17 different institutions in 13 countries were asked to deal with 14 identification scenarios, some of them involving the comparison of multiple candidates and unknown skulls. In total, 60 craniofacial superimposition problems divided in two set of females and males. Each participant follow her/his own methodology and employed her/his particular technological means. For each single case they were asked to report the final identification decision (either positive or negative) along with the rationale supporting the decision and at least one image illustrating the overlay/superimposition outcome. This study is expected to provide important insights to better understand the most convenient characteristics of every method included in this study.}, journal={FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL}, author={Ibanez, O. and Vicente, R. and Navega, D. S. and Wilkinson, C. and Jayaprakash, P. T. and Huete, M. I. and Briers, T. and Hardiman, R. and Navarro, F. and Ruiz, E. and et al.}, year={2015}, month={Dec}, pages={496–503} }
 @article{maxwell_ross_2014, title={A Radiographic Study on the Utility of Cranial Vault Outlines for Positive Identifications}, volume={59}, ISSN={["1556-4029"]}, DOI={10.1111/1556-4029.12346}, abstractNote={A standard method for positive identification is the use of antemortem and postmortem radiographic comparisons. The purpose of this research is to test the visual accuracy of antemortem and postmortem radiographic comparisons of cranial vault outlines and to evaluate their uniqueness using geometric morphometric methods. A sample of 106 individuals with varying levels of education and forensic case experience participated in a visual accuracy test. Of the 106 individuals, only 42% correctly assigned all of the radiographs, with accuracy rates ranging from 70 to 93% for each radiographic comparison. Vault shape was further examined using elliptic Fourier analysis, and paired t‐tests were computed on the first 10 principal components accounting for 100% of the variance, which found no significant differences. The visual accuracy test and elliptic Fourier analysis shows that vault outlines may not be unique enough for positive identifications when used as a sole indicator.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Maxwell, Ashley B. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2014}, month={Mar}, pages={314–318} }
 @article{ross_juarez_2014, title={A brief history of fatal child maltreatment and neglect}, volume={10}, ISSN={1547-769X 1556-2891}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S12024-014-9531-1}, DOI={10.1007/S12024-014-9531-1}, number={3}, journal={Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Juarez, Chelsey A.}, year={2014}, month={Jan}, pages={413–422} }
 @article{sutphin_ross_jantz_2014, title={Secular trends in Cherokee cranial morphology: Eastern vs Western bands}, volume={41}, ISSN={["1464-5033"]}, DOI={10.3109/03014460.2014.902991}, abstractNote={Abstract Background: The research objective was to examine if secular trends can be identified for cranial data commissioned by Boas in 1892, specifically for cranial breadth and cranial length of the Eastern and Western band Cherokee who experienced environmental hardships. Materials and methods: Multiple regression analysis was used to test the degree of relationship between each of the cranial measures: cranial length, cranial breadth and cephalic index, along with predictor variables (year-of-birth, location, sex, admixture); the model revealed a significant difference for all craniometric variables. Additional regression analysis was performed with smoothing Loess plots to observe cranial length and cranial breadth change over time (year-of-birth) separately for Eastern and Western Cherokee band females and males born between 1783–1874. Results: This revealed the Western and Eastern bands show a decrease in cranial length over time. Eastern band individuals maintain a relatively constant head breadth, while Western Band individuals show a sharp decline beginning around 1860. Conclusions: These findings support negative secular trend occurring for both Cherokee bands where the environment made a detrimental impact; this is especially marked with the Western Cherokee band.}, number={6}, journal={ANNALS OF HUMAN BIOLOGY}, author={Sutphin, Rebecca and Ross, Ann H. and Jantz, Richard L.}, year={2014}, pages={511–517} }
 @article{urbanova_ross_jurda_nogueira_2014, title={Testing the reliability of software tools in sex and ancestry estimation in a multi-ancestral Brazilian sample}, volume={16}, ISSN={["1344-6223"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.legalmed.2014.06.002}, abstractNote={In the framework of forensic anthropology osteometric techniques are generally preferred over visual examinations due to a higher level of reproducibility and repeatability; qualities that are crucial within a legal context. The use of osteometric methods has been further reinforced by incorporating statistically-based algorithms and large reference samples in a variety of user-friendly software applications. However, the continued increase in admixture of human populations have made the use of osteometric methods for estimation of ancestry much more complex, which confounds one of major requirements of ancestry assessment – intra-population homogeneity. The present paper tests the accuracy of ancestry and sex assessment using four identification software tools, specifically FORDISC 2.0, FORDISC 3.1.293, COLIPR 1.5.2 and 3D-ID 1.0. Software accuracy was tested in a sample of 174 documented human crania of Brazilian origin composed of different ancestral groups (i.e., European Brazilians, Afro-Brazilians, and Japanese Brazilians and of admixed ancestry). The results show that regardless of the software algorithm employed and composition of the reference database, all methods were able to allocate approximately 50% of Brazilian specimens to an appropriate major reference group. Of the three ancestral groups, Afro-Brazilians were especially prone to misclassification. Japanese Brazilians, by contrast, were shown to be relatively easily recognizable as being of Asian descent but at the same time showed a strong affinity towards Hispanic crania, in particularly when the classification based on FDB was carried out in FORDISC. For crania of admixed origin all of the algorithms showed a considerable higher rate of inconsistency with a tendency for misclassification into Asian and American Hispanic groups. Sex assessments revealed an overall modest to poor reliability (60–71% of correctly classified specimens) using the tested software programs with unbalanced individual rates for males and females. The highest and atypically balanced rate of classification for sex assessment was provided by COLIPR software, which reached 78% of correctly assessed crania.}, number={5}, journal={LEGAL MEDICINE}, author={Urbanova, Petra and Ross, Ann H. and Jurda, Mikolas and Nogueira, Maria-Ines}, year={2014}, month={Sep}, pages={264–273} }
 @article{fournier_ross_2013, title={Radiocarbon Dating: Implications for Establishing a Forensic Context}, volume={4}, ISSN={1940-9044 1940-9036}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19409044.2013.858801}, DOI={10.1080/19409044.2013.858801}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Though radiocarbon dating has been common practice in archaeology, it has yet to be regularly and consistently applied in forensic anthropology. Rather, forensic anthropologists analyze human remains using methods established on the basis of skeletal biology, such as estimating ancestry using characteristics that vary between breeding populations and estimating time-since-death based on the degree and pattern of weathering on the bones. Time since death is an essential question because this is what will determine whether the remains have forensic or historical significance. However, these methods are dependent on many extrinsic factors that include preservation and available contextual information regarding how and where the individual was placed or buried, as well as any personal effects included within the burial. In addition, the postmortem interval based on weathering is inaccurate and very difficult if not impossible to assess with any accuracy. Therefore, traditional methods such as skeletal weathering are not recommended. Thus, we recommend adopting radiocarbon dating as standard forensic practice.}, number={3-4}, journal={Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Fournier, Nichole A. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2013}, month={Jul}, pages={96–104} }
 @article{ross_manneschi_2012, title={Corrigendum to “New identification criteria for the Chilean population: Estimation of sex and stature” [Forensic Sci. Int. 204 (2011) 206.e1–206.e3]}, volume={223}, ISSN={0379-0738}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.08.005}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.08.005}, number={1-3}, journal={Forensic Science International}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Manneschi, María José}, year={2012}, month={Nov}, pages={376} }
 @article{ross_cunningham_2011, title={Corrigendum to “Time-since-death and bone weathering in a tropical environment” [Forensic Science International 204 (2011) 126–133]}, volume={211}, ISSN={0379-0738}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.02.002}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.02.002}, number={1-3}, journal={Forensic Science International}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Cunningham, Sarah L.}, year={2011}, month={Sep}, pages={101–102} }
 @article{maxwell_ross_2011, title={Epidemiology of Genocide: An Example from the Former Yugoslavia}, volume={2}, ISSN={1940-9044 1940-9036}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19409044.2011.604378}, DOI={10.1080/19409044.2011.604378}, abstractNote={Abstract There are multiple factors for the advent of war, and in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda nationalistic goals and political control were used to justify the genocide of thousands of individuals, mainly males of battle age, between sixteen to sixty years of age. War and genocide have detrimental effects on population health due to population displacement, food shortages, and the decline of health services. The skeletal remains of victims from Srebrenica, Bosnia, were analyzed for pathological conditions to assess general health and were compared with other countries that have experienced genocide to evaluate health issues in various parts of the world. Approximately 35% of the skeletal sample shows evidence of congenital and pathological conditions that may be population specific, which indicates that declining health was prevalent before the war, especially prenatal requirements for expectant mothers. In addition, data on general health from Rwandan and former Yugoslavian refugees showed a prevalence of acquired pathologies, mainly AIDS, while Bosnian and Herzegovinian refugees showed an increase in tuberculosis and heart diseases after the war. The skeletal and clinical research details the health problems that existed before and after the wars/genocide, and shed light on the current health problems that still need to be addressed. Marginalized and vulnerable groups, such as victims of genocide, need immediate action to prevent morbidity and mortality in the future. This study may be the first to outline the health status of victims of genocide and identify group marginalization as a path to genocide.}, number={2}, journal={Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Maxwell, Ashley and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2011}, month={May}, pages={94–102} }
 @article{ross_ubelaker_kimmerle_2011, title={Implications of dimorphism, population variation, and secular change in estimating population affinity in the Iberian Peninsula}, volume={206}, ISSN={["0379-0738"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.01.003}, abstractNote={Morphometric cranial variation among Spanish samples was compared to a 19th century Portuguese sample using both traditional and three-dimensional approaches. The Spanish samples included the regional 19th century Oloriz collection and the local 16–17th century Villanubla and Vallolid sample from northwestern Spain. Results suggest moderate variation among the samples and suggest that varying patterns of regional variation, sexual dimorphism and secular change represent important factors to be considered in the evaluation of population affinity using craniometric approaches.}, number={1-3}, journal={FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL}, author={Ross, A. H. and Ubelaker, D. H. and Kimmerle, E. H.}, year={2011}, month={Mar} }
 @article{ross_jose manneschi_2011, title={New identification criteria for the Chilean population: Estimation of sex and stature}, volume={204}, ISSN={["0379-0738"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.028}, abstractNote={In the analysis of human skeletal or otherwise unidentifiable remains the assessment of sex is an initial vital element when rendering a biological profile. As such other aspects of the biological profile are sex-specific (e.g. stature and age) and cannot be successfully determined without this preliminary assessment. In addition, the estimation of stature is an essential parameter of the biological profile, which is often used to confirm or exclude presumptive identifications. The purpose of this study is to present newly developed local identification criteria for the estimation of sex from the postcrania and stature for Chileans. Linear discriminant functions were derived for the humerus and femur. Sexing accuracies of 87%, 86%, and 82% were achieved. Furthermore, new univariate predictive stature equations are presented using a Bayesian approach for the humerus, femur and tibia.}, number={1-3}, journal={FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Jose Manneschi, Maria}, year={2011}, month={Jan} }
 @article{agostini_ross_2011, title={The Effect of Weight on the Femur: A Cross-Sectional Analysis}, volume={56}, ISSN={["0022-1198"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01648.x}, abstractNote={Abstract:  This study assessed whether obesity significantly affects femoral shape. Femora of 121 white men were divided into two weight classes based on body mass index (BMI) of the deceased. Five external anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) measurements were taken at consistent percentages of diaphyseal length. These were then subject to statistical tests. After controlling for age, multivariate statistics show a significant (p < 0.05) effect of BMI on the femur, with the greatest significance in ML measurements. T‐tests confirm these dimensions are significantly larger in the overweight (p < 0.05). The effect of BMI on size‐transformed and shape‐transformed variables was also evaluated, with ANOVA results showing a significant BMI effect on ML size (p < 0.05), but not shape. Significant size‐transformed ML variables were then subject to discriminate function analyses with a cross‐validation correction. Results show a correct classification rate of 88% in normal weight and 77% in overweight individuals.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Agostini, Gina M. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2011}, month={Mar}, pages={339–343} }
 @article{ross_cunningham_2011, title={Time-since-death and bone weathering in a tropical environment}, volume={204}, ISSN={["0379-0738"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.05.018}, abstractNote={The structural breakdown of skeletal remains follows a lengthy decomposition process, progressing from the appearance of cracking along the bone to complete loss of shape and skeletal integrity, that can occur in as early as 6 years or as long as 30. The length of time a set of skeletal remains takes to decompose depends heavily upon its micro-environment, the local context in which decomposition agents act on remains. Critical changes in the micro-context can drastically increase or slow the process. The burial of remains below the surface has been found to effectively shut out many of the most destructive decaying agents, such as the natural elements and insect and animal activity. This causes an increase in the amount of time needed to breakdown the skeletal remains. A better understanding of the decomposition process in varying micro-contexts is important for the ability to correctly estimate time since burial. This can aid not only in understanding of archaeological remains, but also in the identification of individuals in modern forensic and human rights cases. This study details the observations made during the excavation and analysis of burials on the Isla de Coiba off the coast of Panama. The excavation took place during the summer 2003 in an effort to identify several individuals who were believed to be part of the 'disappeared', people who went missing and believed to have been murdered under orders by the Torrijos and Noriega military regimes. Through the fieldwork analysis a decomposition timeline, specific for the Coiba micro-environment, was created. This new set of stages can be used to estimate time since burial in other areas whose local context is similar to that found on Coiba.}, number={1-3}, journal={FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Cunningham, Sarah L.}, year={2011}, month={Jan}, pages={126–133} }
 @article{ross_cunningham_2011, title={Time-since-death and bone weathering in a tropical environment (vol 204, pg 126, 2011)}, volume={211}, number={1-3}, journal={Forensic Science International}, author={Ross, A. H. and Cunningham, S. L.}, year={2011}, pages={101–102} }
 @article{bytheway_ross_2010, title={A Geometric Morphometric Approach to Sex Determination of the Human Adult Os Coxa}, volume={55}, ISSN={["1556-4029"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01374.x}, abstractNote={Abstract:  Sex determination of the human skeleton is best assessed from the os coxa. The present study explored the possibility of using three‐dimensional landmark coordinate data collected from various landmarks located over the entire bone to determine whether there were significant sex differences local to the landmarks. Thirty‐six landmarks were digitized on 200 African American and European American male and female adult human os coxae. MANCOVA results show that sex and size have a significant effect on shape for both European Americans (Sex, F = 17.50, d.f. = 36, 63, p > F = 0.0001; Size, F = 2.56, d.f. = 36, 63, p > F = 0.0022) and African Americans (Sex, F = 21.18, d.f. = 36, 63, p > F = 0.0001; Size, F = 2.59, d.f. = 36, 63, p > F = 0.0005). The discriminant analysis shows that sexing accuracy for European Americans is 98% for both males and females, 98% for African American females, and 100% for African American males.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Bytheway, Joan A. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2010}, month={Jul}, pages={859–864} }
 @article{ross_williams_2010, title={Craniofacial Growth, Maturation, and Change: Teens to Midadulthood}, volume={21}, ISSN={["1049-2275"]}, DOI={10.1097/scs.0b013e3181cfea34}, abstractNote={Despite the attainment of several adult cranial dimensions relatively early in childhood, skeletal maturity and, by consequence, adult form are typically defined by the eruption of the third molars around 17 years of age. This in turn serves as the division between subadults and adults, which is then applied to population studies of biological variation. Specifically, comparative data sets of adult measurements are not directly applied to individuals who do not have complete skeletal growth, as it is believed that the confounding effects of allometry may skew the results. The present study uses geometric morphometrics techniques to investigate the appropriateness of this division with respect to three-dimensional anatomical landmarks. Twenty-six landmarks were collected from a single population of 24 crania partitioned into 4 age groups spanning late adolescence to midadulthood. Generalized Procrustes and multivariate statistical analyses were performed on the landmark data. Results showed no significant morphological differences between the teen and young adult age groups, whereas significant shape and size differences were found in older adults relative to their younger cohorts. Moreover, no growth-related shape variation (ie, allometry) was detected within the sample. These findings suggest that adult form is attained several years earlier than commonly thought and corroborate other research that suggest that subtle changes in cranial morphology continue throughout adulthood.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Williams, Shanna E.}, year={2010}, month={Mar}, pages={458–461} }
 @article{kimmerle_falsetti_ross_2010, title={Immigrants, Undocumented Workers, Runaways, Transients and the Homeless: Towards Contextual Identification Among Unidentified Decedents}, volume={1}, ISSN={1940-9044 1940-9036}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19409041003636991}, DOI={10.1080/19409041003636991}, abstractNote={Abstract The pool of persons who go missing and subsequently become part of the unidentified population is predominately adult, male, underrepresented minorities, foreign-born individuals, and people from at-risk groups. In particular, a growing obstacle to the identification of unidentified decedents (UIDs) is the increase of foreign-born immigrants, including migrant workers and undocumented persons in the United States. Increasingly, individuals of foreign-born nationality are an important component in UID cases as there may not be access to information about who is missing, personal data about the decedent, nor family members available to aid the identification process. The demographic structures, mobility patterns, and contextual factors about unidentified cases are compared to those who have been identified. Data comes from both solved and open cases from forensic anthropology laboratories at the University of South Florida, the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory at the University of Florida, the Forensic Data Bank maintained at The University of Tennessee, and the Medical Examiner's Offices of Georgia. Recommendations for policy are further discussed, such as the application of population-based research strategies that account for biological and cultural variation related to identification parameters; the development of a bilingual searchable databases with anonymous information submittal capabilities; and the incorporation of biological information about the decedent along with possible biological traits and personal or cultural artifacts, such as descriptions and photographs of personal effects, tattoos, and facial approximations, into searchable Web-based databases that facilitate the monumental task of identifying UID in a way that is appropriate given the population in question.}, number={4}, journal={Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Kimmerle, Erin H. and Falsetti, Anthony and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2010}, month={Mar}, pages={178–186} }
 @book{engagement_2010, title={Integrating learning, discovery, and engagement through the scholarship of engagement}, journal={Technical Report- Not held in TRLN member libraries}, institution={Raleigh, NC: NCSU Office of Extension, Engagement, and Economic Development}, author={Engagement, Task Force}, year={2010} }
 @article{ross_ubelaker_2009, title={Effect of Intentional Cranial Modification on Craniofacial Landmarks: A Three-Dimensional Perspective}, volume={20}, ISSN={["1536-3732"]}, DOI={10.1097/SCS.0b013e3181bf038c}, abstractNote={Although processes of cranial modification have been documented throughout the world, the effects on craniofacial landmarks are poorly understood. Such understanding is needed to assist the further understanding of craniofacial morphology and dysmorphology and in the interpretation of craniometric studies assessing issues of biological distance. Samples of both clinically normal and modified crania recovered from the same archeological site in Peru were studied using a three-dimensional approach to evaluate differences in landmark location. The crania were associated with the Ancón site from the central coast, corresponding to the Late Intermediate period (ad 900-1300). Analysis revealed that vault modification had no significant effect on the locations of landmarks of the facial and basal regions. As expected, differences were found on some landmarks of the cranial vault.}, number={6}, journal={JOURNAL OF CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Ubelaker, Douglas H.}, year={2009}, month={Nov}, pages={2185–2187} }
 @article{ross_abel_radisch_2009, title={Pattern of injury in child fatalities resulting from child abuse}, volume={188}, ISSN={["1872-6283"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.021}, abstractNote={According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, in 2005, an estimated 1460 children died of maltreatment. The purpose of this study is to further examine the pattern of bony injuries in child maltreatment fatalities, with an emphasis on the prevalence of antemortem fractures and the presence of associated perimortem fractures. The sample was 162 male and female children. The majority of the data were collected from the case files of the NC Child Fatality Prevention Team at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (n = 152) spanning from 2000 to 2005. An additional 10 cases from 2001 to 2006 were included from the Charleston County Coroner's Office, Charleston, SC. Six age categories were used in this study: 0–3 months, 4–6 months, 7–9 months, 10–16 months, 17 months to 2 years, and 2–6 years. Lesions were documented and categorized into four general body loci: craniofacial, thoraco/abdominal, appendicular, and multiple. The peak age categories of death were 0–3 months (25%) and 2–6 years (19%), with 50% of deaths occurring in infants 9 months old or younger. The body locus most frequently affected was craniofacial.}, number={1-3}, journal={FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Abel, Suzanne M. and Radisch, Deborah}, year={2009}, month={Jul}, pages={99–102} }
 @article{ross_ubelaker_guillén_2008, title={Craniometric Patterning within Ancient Peru}, volume={19}, ISSN={1045-6635 2325-5080}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S104566350000777X}, DOI={10.1017/S104566350000777X}, abstractNote={Numerous studies have used the Howells Peruvian sample from the province of Yauyos as the morphological representative for South America. Although Peru has a rich history of investigations of human skeletal remains, biological distance studies based on craniometrics are limited to nonexistent. This study examines the morphological variation found in Peru using the Howells sample and three additional coastal (Makatampu and Ancón) and highland (Cajamarca) samples. The between-group variation and the degree of among-group differentiation were tested using a canonical discriminant analysis and Mahalanobis D², respectively. All groups are significantly different from the Yauyos sample and results indicate a closer morphological affinity between coastal groups and the two highland groups.}, number={2}, journal={Latin American Antiquity}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Ubelaker, Douglas H. and Guillén, Sonia}, year={2008}, month={Jun}, pages={158–166} }
 @article{ross_ubelaker_guillen_2008, title={Craniometric patterning within ancient Peru}, volume={19}, ISSN={["1045-6635"]}, DOI={10.2307/25478221}, number={2}, journal={LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Ubelaker, Douglas H. and Guillen, Sonia}, year={2008}, month={Jun}, pages={158–166} }
 @article{harris_ross_2008, title={Detecting an Undiagnosed Case of Nonsyndromic Facial Dysmorphism Using Geometric Morphometrics}, volume={53}, ISSN={["0022-1198"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00872.x}, abstractNote={Abstract:  The Johns Hopkins University Center for Craniofacial Development and Disorders estimates that 1 in 3,000 children born in the United States is diagnosed with a rare form of craniosynostosis. Although the medical literature has documented numerous descriptions of craniofacial disorders from an anthropometric or genetic perspective, considerably fewer reports of these anomalies have been documented in the context of forensic anthropology. Similar genetic origins of many craniofacial anomalies generate ranges of phenotypic variation between and even within documented cases, producing difficulties in acquiring correct diagnoses. Identical physical characteristics manifested in different disorders create further complications in identifying a craniofacial syndrome in skeletal remains. Reported here is an unusual case of a possibly undiagnosed craniofacial abnormality in a set of identified skeletal remains from a North Carolina homicide case. Traditional metric and geometric morphometric approaches were utilized to further investigate morphological shape differences between the case study and a reference sample. Results show significant differences suggesting a nonsyndromic form of craniosynostosis.}, number={6}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Harris, Sheena M. and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2008}, month={Nov}, pages={1308–1312} }
 @article{kimmerle_ross_slice_2008, title={Sexual dimorphism in America: Geometric morphometric analysis of the craniofacial region}, volume={53}, ISSN={["0022-1198"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00627.x}, abstractNote={Abstract:  One of the four pillars of the anthropological protocol is the estimation of sex. The protocol generally consists of linear metric analysis or visually assessing individual skeletal traits on the skull and pelvis based on an ordinal scale of 1–5, ranging from very masculine to very feminine. The morphologic traits are then some how averaged by the investigator to estimate sex. Some skulls may be misclassified because of apparent morphologic features that appear more or less robust due to size differences among individuals. The question of misclassification may be further exemplified in light of comparisons across populations that may differ not only in cranial robusticity but also in stature and general physique. The purpose of this study is to further examine the effect of size and sex on craniofacial shape among American populations to better understand the allometric foundation of skeletal traits currently used for sex estimation. Three‐dimensional coordinates of 16 standard craniofacial landmarks were collected using a Microscribe‐3DX digitizer. Data were collected for 118 American White and Black males and females from the W.M. Bass Donated Collection and the Forensic Data Bank. The MANCOVA procedure tested shape differences as a function of sex and size. Sex had a significant influence on shape for both American Whites (F = 2.90; d.f. = 19, 39; p > F = 0.0024) and Blacks (F = 2.81; d.f. = 19, 37; p > F = 0.0035), whereas size did not have a significant influence on shape in either Whites (F = 1.69; d.f. = 19, 39; p > F = 0.08) or Blacks (F = 1.09; d.f. = 19, 37; p > F = 0.40). Therefore, for each sex, individuals of various sizes were statistically the same shape. In other words, while significant differences were present between the size of males and females (males on average were larger), there was no size effect beyond that accounted for by sex differences in size. Moreover, the consistency between American groups is interesting as it suggests that population differences in sexual dimorphism may result more from human variation in size than allometric variation in craniofacial morphology.}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Kimmerle, Erin H. and Ross, Ann and Slice, Dennis}, year={2008}, month={Jan}, pages={54–57} }
 @article{ross_williams_2008, title={Testing repeatability and error of coordinate landmark data acquired from crania}, volume={53}, ISSN={["1556-4029"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00751.x}, abstractNote={Abstract:  This study evaluates issues of precision, repeatability, and validation in three‐dimensional (3D) landmark coordinates. Two observers collected 19 homologous cranial landmarks from three skulls during three separate digitizing sessions. Statistical analysis was conducted on the 171 interlandmark distances (ILDs) derived from the original coordinate data. A mixed model ANOVA detected significant within‐subject error in 54 of the 171 ILDs (i.e., 32%). A GLM procedure revealed significant between‐observer variation in 14 ILDs and significant observer‐by‐session differences in 13 ILDs. The majority of these differences involved ILDs with type 3 landmarks as endpoints, such as euryon and alare. Unlike type 1 and 2 landmarks which are biologically informative in all directions, type 3 landmarks contain a substantial arbitrary component. Thus, it is not surprising type 3 landmarks displayed significant digitizing error. Given these results, we caution researchers to be mindful of type 3 landmarks measurement discrepancies when selecting landmarks for coordinate data evaluation.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Ross, Ann H. and Williams, Shanna}, year={2008}, month={Jul}, pages={782–785} }
 @article{case_ross_2007, title={Sex determination from hand and foot bone lengths}, volume={52}, ISSN={["0022-1198"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00365.x}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT: Numerous studies have addressed sex estimation from the hands and feet with varying results. These studies have utilized multiple measurements to determine sex from the hands and feet, including measures of robusticity (e.g., base width and midshaft diameter). However, robusticity measurements are affected by activity, which can disguise underlying patterns of sexual dimorphism. The purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of length measurements of the hands and feet to estimate sex. The sample consists of white females (n=123) and males (n=136) from the Terry Collection. Discriminant function analysis was used to classify individuals by sex. The left hand outperformed both the right hand and foot producing correct classification rates exceeding 80%. Surprisingly, the phalanges were better sex discriminators than either the metacarpals or metatarsals. This study suggests that length measures are more appropriate than robusticity measures for sex estimation.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES}, author={Case, D. Troy and Ross, Ann H.}, year={2007}, month={Mar}, pages={264–270} }
 @misc{ross_cassia_2006, title={Bodies of evidence: Burial, memory and the recovery of missing persons in Cyprus.}, volume={108}, number={3}, journal={American Anthropologist}, author={Ross, A. and Cassia, P. S.}, year={2006}, pages={571–572} }
 @article{ross_2004, title={Cranial evidence of pre-contact multiple population expansions in the Caribbean}, volume={40}, number={3}, journal={Caribbean Journal of Science}, author={Ross, A. H.}, year={2004}, pages={291–298} }
 @article{ross_slice_ubelaker_falsetti_2004, title={Population affinities of 19th century Cuban Crania: Implications for identification criteria in south Florida Cuban Americans}, volume={49}, number={1}, journal={Journal of Forensic Sciences}, author={Ross, A. H. and Slice, D. E. and Ubelaker, D. H. and Falsetti, A. B.}, year={2004}, pages={16-} }
 @article{ross_2004, title={Regional isolation in the Balkan region: An analysis of craniofacial variation}, volume={124}, ISSN={["0002-9483"]}, DOI={10.1002/ajpa.10339}, abstractNote={Biological variation is investigated among contemporary Croatians, Bosnians, American whites, and other multitemporal Balkan populations (World War II Croatians, Macedonians, and Greeks) via multivariate statistics and distance measures of the craniofacial complex. This study demonstrates that there is considerable variation among groups of European ancestry. Bosnians and Croatians who are thought to be relatively homogenous and historically to originate from the same Slav ancestry show local variations. While environmental plasticity has been used to explain cranial changes among human groups, it does not adequately explain the variation observed between Bosnians and Croatians. It is an oversimplification to exclusively attribute the vast range of variability observed among local as well as geographic populations to environmental adaptations.}, number={1}, journal={AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY}, author={Ross, AH}, year={2004}, month={May}, pages={73–80} }