title: The application of the central limit theorem and the law of large numbers to facial soft tissue depths: T-Table robustness and trends since 2008.
abstract: By pooling independent study means (x¯), the T-Tables use the central limit theorem and law of large numbers to average out study-specific sampling bias and instrument errors and, in turn, triangulate upon human population means (μ). Since their first publication in 2008, new data from >2660 adults have been collected (c.30% of the original sample) making a review of the T-Table's robustness timely. Updated grand means show that the new data have negligible impact on the previously published statistics: maximum change = 1.7 mm at gonion; and ≤1 mm at 93% of all landmarks measured. This confirms the utility of the 2008 T-Table as a proxy to soft tissue depth population means and, together with updated sample sizes (8851 individuals at pogonion), earmarks the 2013 T-Table as the premier mean facial soft tissue depth standard for craniofacial identification casework. The utility of the T-Table, in comparison with shorths and 75-shormaxes, is also discussed.
authors: Central Identification Laboratory, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, 310 Worchester Avenue, Building 45, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI, 96853; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
authors: Carl N
authors: CN
authors: Stephan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical
keywords: craniofacial identification; face; facial approximation; facial reconstruction; facial soft tissue thickness; forensic science; skull; standards; video superimposition