title: Palate Shape and Depth: A Shape-Matching and Machine Learning Method for Estimating Ancestry from Human Skeletal Remains.
abstract: In the past, assessing ancestry relied on the naked eye and observer experience; however, replicability has become an important aspect of such analysis through the application of metric techniques. This study examines palate shape and assesses ancestry quantitatively using a 3D digitizer and shape-matching and machine learning methods. Palate curves and depths were recorded, processed, and tested for 376 individuals. Palate shape was an accurate indicator of ancestry in 58% of cases. Cluster analysis revealed that the parabolic, hyperbolic, and elliptical shapes are discrete from one another. Preliminary results indicate that palate depth in Hispanic individuals is greatest. Palate shape appears to be a useful indicator of ancestry, particularly when assessed by a computer. However, these data suggest that palate shape is not useful for assessing ancestry in Hispanic individuals. Although ancestry may be determined from palate shape, the use of multiple features is recommended and more reliable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada Reno, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV, 89557.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Louisiana State University, 102 Electrical Engineering Building, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University, 227 Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803.
authors.forename: Mary H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Manhein
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Louisiana State University, 102 Electrical Engineering Building, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D000069550:Machine Learning; D008297:Male; D010159:Palate / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D044469:Racial Groups
keywords: 3D digitizer; ancestry estimation; forensic anthropology; forensic science; machine learning; palate depth; palate shape; shape-matching