title: The Optimized Summed Scored Attributes Method for the Classification of U.S. Blacks and Whites: A Validation Study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 250 South Stadium Hall, Knoxville, TN, 37996.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kenyhercz
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Washburn University, 1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, KS, 16546.
authors.forename: Alexandra R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Klales
authors.affiliation: Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 First Avenue, New York City, NY, 10016.|New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, Department of Anthropology, Center for the Study of Human Origins, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY, 10003.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Rainwater
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Forensic Sciences, Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th Street, Erie, PA, 16546.
authors.forename: Sara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Fredette
mesh_terms: D044383:Black People; D066264:Datasets as Topic; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014481:United States; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
keywords: ancestry estimation; biological profile; forensic anthropology; forensic science; optimized summed scored attributes; validation study