title: Surface curvature of pelvic joints from three laser scanners: separating anatomy from measurement error.
abstract: Recent studies have reported that quantifying symphyseal and auricular surface curvature changes on 3D models acquired by laser scanners has a potential for age estimation. However, no tests have been carried out to evaluate the repeatability of the results between different laser scanners. 3D models of the two pelvic joints were generated using three laser scanners (Custom, Faro, and Minolta). The surface curvature, the surface area, and the distance between co-registered meshes were investigated. Close results were found for surface areas (differences between 0.3% and 2.4%) and for distance deviations (average <20 μm, SD <200 μm). The curvature values were found to be systematically biased between different laser scanners, but still showing similar trends with increasing phases/scores. Applying a smoothing factor to the 3D models, it was possible to separate anatomy from the measurement error of each instrument, so that similar curvature values could be obtained (p < 0.05) independent of the specific laser scanner.
authors: Laboratory of Biological Anthropology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Villa
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Gaudio
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Cattaneo
authors: Jo
authors: J
authors: Buckberry
authors: Andrew S
authors: AS
authors: Wilson
authors: Niels
authors: N
authors: Lynnerup
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
keywords: 3D models; auricular surface; curvature; distance deviation; forensic anthropology; forensic science; laser scanner; pubic symphysis; surface area