TY - JOUR
PY - 2016//
TI - The optimized summed scored attributes method for the classification of U.S. Blacks and Whites: a validation study
JO - Journal of forensic sciences
A1 - Kenyhercz, Michael W.
A1 - Klales, Alexandra R.
A1 - Rainwater, Christopher W.
A1 - Fredette, Sara M.
SP - 174
EP - 180
VL - 62
IS - 1
N2 - Recently, Hefner and Ousley (2014) introduced the optimized summed scored attributes (OSSA) method that maximizes between-group differences in U.S. black and white populations by dichotomizing six cranial morphoscopic trait scores. This study tests OSSA using an independent skeletal sample (Hamann-Todd, n = 208) and positively identified forensic cases (Mercyhurst University, n = 28, and New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, n = 38). An evaluation of trait frequencies suggests shifting the heuristically selected sectioning point separating U.S. black and white populations from ≤ 3 to ≤ 4. We found a total correct classification of 73.0% (B = 50.9%, W = 89.2%) using the originally suggested sectioning point of ≤3, while the total correct classification increases to 79.2% (B = 80.2%, W = 78.5%) with a modified sectioning point of ≤4. With the increased total correct classification and reduced classification bias between ancestry groups, we suggest the modified sectioning point of ≤4 be used when assessing ancestry in forensic unknowns.
© 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0022-1198 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13243 ID - ref1 ER -