Statistical classification methods for estimating sex based on five skull traits: A nonmetric assessment using 3D CT models.

Five cranial nonmetric traits for sex estimation for sex estimation are classified by score according to geometry. The population of origin is one of the factors influencing cranial nonmetric traits. Moreover, among the five cranial traits, the robust traits for estimating sex varied across population. The aim of this study is to suggest the most useful method for sex estimation and demonstrate the need of a suitable method for each population. One-hundred thirty-five three-dimensional skull images from 21st century Korean autopsy cadavers were evaluated using the ordinal scoring system of five cranial nonmetric traits as outlined in Buikstra & Ubelaker (1994). All scores of each trait were analyzed by linear discriminant and decision tree analyses for sex estimation. The frequency of each trait was analyzed and compared to populations from other studies. The accuracy for both sexes was 88.1% by discriminant analysis and 90.4% by decision tree. The traits with the highest accuracy were the glabella and mastoid process in both discriminant analysis and decision tree. Sex estimation in modern Korean cadavers using the cranial nonmetric method was shown to be highly accurate by both discriminant analysis and decision tree. When comparing the pattern of frequency scores in this study with those of other populations, the pattern of trait scores for estimating sex was different for each population, even among populations in the same Asian region, which suggests the need for methods suited for specific populations.

[Informative value of craniometric data for ethno-racial studies].

Skull measurements differ in terms of discriminative and taxonomic value. Facial signs carry much more taxonomic information than neurocranial structures. Differences in the informative value of selected craniological complexes provide a rationale for differential approach to the interpretation of the results of ethno-racial studies.

Proposed classes of morphological autopsy findings for decomposed and skeletal remains in mass death investigations.

Analysis of mass death events, often involving partial or skeletal human remains, requires investigators to condense information on a large number of victims into a single report. Prosecution of war crimes typically requires that victims be categorized according to the injuries sustained. Reports recognizing only the presence or absence of trauma are misleading or misrepresentative. This study introduces a 4 class system for skeletal remains based on morphologic autopsy findings. Each class corresponds to the lethal potential of the trauma or pathologic conditions evident at autopsy, and the certainty with which cause of death can be determined. Data were extracted from 766 autopsy cases involving decomposed or skeletal remains from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator in which cause and manner of death were ruled. Statistically significant associations between morphology class and the cause and manner of death, positive identification, and natural and non-natural deaths were evident in this study. Intraobserver and interobserver tests revealed excellent replicability and reliability in the assignment of morphology classes to individual cases. In addition to its mass death applications, this classification system offers potential research contributions to physical anthropologists and bioarchaeologists studying human populations in antiquity.

Classifications used by Australian forensic odontologists in identification reports.

Forensic odontologists are repeatedly called upon to assist in the identification of deceased persons. A great deal of information is available in the literature as to how and why comparative dental investigation of identification is performed but there is little information on the descriptive terms used in reporting these identifications. A forensic odontology report sets out the findings of a comparison between antemortem and postmortem evidence and indicates the odontologist's opinion on the identification. This opinion needs to be defendable in a court of law. This paper investigates the classifications utilised in the six states and two territories of Australia and reflects on the differences. Three states of Australia use American Board of Forensic Odontology classifications, whilst the remaining regions use a modified format. Since there are no significant legal, cultural or religious differences, and similar practitioners and clients, variation between regions within Australia would seem hard to justify. National standard terminology should be encouraged.

Convención sobre los derechos del niño / Convention on the rights of the child

Estas páginas mostrarán el contenido de la Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño. Con ellas ustedes podrán aprender a defender sus propios derechos y a respetar a los demás

Derecho a la identidad; certamen de ensayos sobre derechos humanos / Rigth to the identity; event of tests on human rights

La problemática del derecho a la identidad en Bolivia tiene una enorme relevancia. El año 2001, del Defensor del Pueblo y una red de instituciones de la sociedad civil comprometidas con la niñez entregaron al Congreso Nacional libros con 50 mil firmas de niños, niñas y adolescentes de todo el país que exigían el cumplimiento de uno de sus derechos más elementales: el derecho a la identidad. Ese acto expresó la magnitud de una exigencia social al Estado para que se aplique y perfeccione la normativa para hacer de ese derecho no sólo un enunciado sino una realidad