This document was developed as a component of the 2016 Assessing Cognitive Bias, Method Validation, and Equipment Performance for the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory project funded by the National Institute of Justice. The purpose of this project was to improve method validation and equipment performance procedures related to specific analyses, such as the collection of 3-dimensional (3D) craniometric data. In order to validate the equipment used to collect craniometric data (e.g., the MicroScribe 3D digitizer), proper equipment procedures needed to be written.
This standard operating procedure (SOP) is one of the grant products. It provides detailed information about the MicroScribe digitizer, how to use the associated software program (i.e., 3Skull), original and newly developed cranial landmark definitions, new diagrams specifically for digitizing, and tips for troubleshooting. This SOP was written specifically for the Forensic Anthropology Division (FAD) at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) to meet the needs and requirements of our accreditation program; it is therefore based on the equipment and software programs used by the FAD (i.e., MicroScribe G2LX digitizer, 3Skull software, and Fordisc 3.1 software). Other data collection equipment and analytical software can be used with this SOP, although adjustments will be required.
As a product of federal funding, this SOP is being freely shared with the anthropological community. The goal of this document is to build upon past and present craniometric data collection guides/manuals by emphasizing the digitization of cranial landmarks. Drawing on various literature and personal communications, this document is a comprehensive reference for the equipment, procedures, and techniques used to digitally collect craniometric data.
(Author abstract provided.)
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