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Revision of the genus Leopoldamys (Rodentia, Muridae) as inferred from morphological and molecular data, with a special emphasis on the species composition in continental Indochina

Balakirev AE, Abramov AV, Rozhnov VV

Zootaxa, 2013;3640:521-49.
PMID: 26000434

A revision of the genus Leopoldamys is presented, and both the species composition and distribution in Indochina and Sundaic regions is reinvestigated. The phylogeny of the genus is recovered based on Cyt b, COI, and IRBP gene analyses. Five basal and 16 secondary monophyletic phylogenetic lineages were identified. A taxonomic reassessment of the continental and Sundaic populations is performed based on morphological verification of the genetically defined clades. Six clades were recovered in the phylogenetic analyses and correspond to morphologically defined species: L. revertens (distributed in lowlands of eastern and central Indochina), L. herberti (western and central Indochina, northward to northern Vietnam), L. edwardsi (China and northern Vietnam, northward of 21 degrees N), L. milleti (endemic of Dalat Plateau, southern Vietnam), L. sabanus (Borneo), and L. vociferans (lowlands of the Malacca Peninsula, northward to southwestern Thailand). The absence of proper L. sabanus in continental Indochina is revealed. The substitute name for the species known from the majority of Indochina under the name of L. sabanus should be L. revertens. The name L. neilli, which has been ascribed to populations from Thailand and Vietnam, is a junior synonym of L. herberti. Two related but rather divergent clades are found in Sumatra and the Malacca Peninsula. Based on their considerable genetic distances, these forms should be regarded as separate species from the L. sabanus type-bearing populations of Borneo, or as the members of L. sabanus polytypic superspecies. The substitute name for the lineage-bearing taxon from Malacca should be L. vociferans. The continental populations of Leopoldamys can be distinguished from each other by external and cranial characters and may be subdivided into four species. Two of these species (L. revertens and L. milleti) are well distinguished by external and cranial morphology, whereas the other two species (L. herberti and L. edwardsi) may be treated as sibling species that are difficult to distinguish based on morphological characters.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology
Geographical variation of the skull of the lesser mouse deer

Endo H, Fukuta K, Kimura J, Sasaki M, Stafford BJ

J Vet Med Sci, 2004 Oct;66(10):1229-35.
PMID: 15528854

We examined the geographical variation of the skull size and shape of the lesser mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus) from Laos, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Langkawi and some Islands of Tenasserim in Myanmar. Although the influence of the climatic condition on skull size was not confirmed in the mainland populations, the skull became rostro-caudally longer in the populations of Tenasserim and Sumatra because of island isolation effect. The skull size was classified into the following three clusters of localities from the matrix of Q-mode correlation coefficients: 1) Langkawi and Tenasserim, 2) Laos and Thailand, 3) Sumatra and Borneo. The skulls in the population of Java belong to the cluster of Langkawi and Tenasserim in male, however were morphologically similar to those in the cluster of Borneo and Sumatra. The canonical discriminant analysis pointed out that the Laos and Tenasserim populations were separated from the other ones and that the populations of Sumatra, Java and Borneo were intermingled each other.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Geographical variation of skull morphology and its functional significances in the red-cheeked squirrel

Endo H, Kimura J, Oshida T, Stafford BJ, Rerkamnuaychoke W, Nishida T, et al.

J Vet Med Sci, 2003 Nov;65(11):1179-83.
PMID: 14665745

Skulls of the red-cheeked squirrel (Dremomys rufigenis) from various geographical locations: Malaysia (peninsular area), Vietnam (south district)-Laos, and Thailand (north district) were osteometrically examined. The skull size of the squirrels in the southern (Malaysia) population was fundamentally larger than that in the northern (Vietnam, Laos and Thailand) populations. The proportion indices indicated that the splanchnocranium was relatively longer in the Malaysia population, and that the interorbital space was narrower in Vietnam-Laos, and Thailand populations. We suggest that the long nose and laterally-oriented orbits in the skull may be better adapted for terrestrial-insectivorous life in the Malaysia population and the binocular sense facilitated by rostrally-oriented eyes contributes to the arboreal-fruit eating behavior in the two northern populations. The Malaysia population was clearly distinguished from the other populations by the principal component analysis. We suggest that the geographical barrier of the Isthmus of Kra influences the morphological variation of the skull among the squirrel populations.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Geographical variation of the skull morphology of the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis)

Endo H, Cuisin J, Nadee N, Nabhitabhata J, Suyanto A, Kawamoto Y, et al.

J Vet Med Sci, 1999 Sep;61(9):1027-31.
PMID: 10535508

Geographical variation was examined morphologically in the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis) in some Indochinese and Malayan regions. Osteometrical examination and principal component analysis elucidated the morphological differences among various populations. The populations from southern and western Thailand were distinguished morphologically from the other populations. Variation in males from south Thailand and Kuala Lumpur suggests that the Isthmus of Kra may have an influence on the variation of skull morphology. However, the Isthmus of Kra was not completely considered as a factor of geographical separation in this species, because we could not confirm the separation in skull size and shape between the localities at least in females. While, the Kanchanaburi population in western Thailand was significantly smaller than the other population in skull size, and constituted the morphologically separable group in our study.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Geographical variation in skull morphology of gray-bellied squirrel Callosciurus caniceps

Hayashida A, Endo H, Sasaki M, Oshida T, Kimura J, Waengsothorn S, et al.

J Vet Med Sci, 2007 Feb;69(2):149-57.
PMID: 17339759

The geographical variation of the gray-bellied squirrel (Callosciurus caniceps) was examined using osteometry of skull in Southeast Asia. From the principal component analysis (PCA), the plots of the northern localities from Nan to Kanchanaburi and those of the southern localities from Narathiwat to Kuala Lumpur in male were completely separated. In female, the plots of the locality from Uttradit to Kanchanaburi and those of the locality from Pattani to Negri Sembilan were completely separated. We called these northern localities and southern localities which are distinguished by the PCA as N group and S group. The size and shape of the skulls of these squirrels indicated the differences between N group and S group from t-test and U-test. These results may be influenced by the two transitions of the phytogeography around the southernmost locality in N group and the northernmost locality in S group in the peninsular Thailand and Malay Peninsula. Localities which are located between N and S groups were called the Middle (M) group. From the PCA among N, S groups and each locality of M group, the plots of localities such as Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang in both sexes of M group could not be separated from those of N and S groups. We suggest that the sympatric distribution of N and S groups and the hybrid of N and S populations may be seen in these localities of M group.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Orbital Morphometry: A Computed Tomography Analysis

Singh J, Rahman RA, Rajion ZA, Abdullah J, Mohamad I

J Craniofac Surg, 2017 Jan;28(1):e64-e70.
PMID: 27922969 DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000003218

INTRODUCTION: The human orbit is a complex anatomic region, which plays predominant role in the evaluation of craniofacial complex. A thorough understanding of the relationship of the distance from orbital rim to the important vital structures of the orbital apex is required for the surgeon to perform safe and effective surgery.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the depth and distances from various points of the orbital rim to the fissures and foramina of the orbital apex between genders in the local population.
METHODOLOGY: Linear measurements were conducted on 60 orbits from 30 patients who had undergone head computed tomography scan. These measurements were done utilizing the multiplanar reconstruction modes on computed tomography images with minimum slice thickness of 1 mm.
RESULTS: Males have statistically significant larger orbits than females with higher mean measurements in all parameters, except for the distance from posterior ethmoidal foramen to the optic canal which was the same. However, there were no significant differences in all parameters between the right and left orbits.
CONCLUSION: This study provides the absolute limit of safe internal orbital dissection in respect to the local population. Despite males having larger orbits than females, it is clinically negligible.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology
Prevalence of snoring and craniofacial features in Malaysian children from hospital-based medical clinic population

Banabilh SM, Asha'ari ZA, Hamid SS

Sleep Breath, 2008 Aug;12(3):269-74.
PMID: 17978839 DOI: 10.1007/s11325-007-0154-6

Snoring is considered as the most common clinical symptom of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. However, many snoring studies were done in western population, and data from around Asia is scarce. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of snoring among Malaysian children from hospital-based medical clinic population setting and to compare the craniofacial features of children with and without snoring using cephalometric analysis. A cross-sectional study among children aged 7-15 years were carried out in Hospital Kuala Terengganu. Sleep behavior questionnaire (Berlin questionnaire) was given to 500 children. The respondents were divided into snoring and non-snoring groups. Thirty children from each group were randomly selected to undergo a cephalometric X-ray. For each lateral cephalometric radiograph, 17 parameters consisting bony, soft tissue, and angular measurements were recorded using computer software VixWin2000. Independent t test was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that the whole questionnaire respondents were 317 (46 snoring and 271 non-snoring), hence, the prevalence of snoring in our survey population was 14.51%. The cephalometric X-ray showed that the snoring children manifested a significant different craniofacial features, such as narrow airway at the level of the soft palate and oropharynx (p < 0.05), more inferiorly positioned hyoid bone (p < 0.05), longer vertical airway length from posterior nasal spine to the base of epiglottis (p < 0.05), more protruding maxilla, and anterior-posterior discrepancy of maxilla and mandible (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our snorer children exhibit significant craniofacial differences compared to non-snorer groups.

Study site: ACC at Hospital Kuala Terengganu, MalaysiaThe ACC is a daycare center consisting of
various specialty clinics such as Pediatrics, Orthopedics,
Otorhinolaryngology, Dental, Oral-maxillofacial, General
Surgery, General Medical, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, and
Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Fulltext Change in facial shape in two cohorts of Japanese adult female students twenty years apart

Hossain MG, Saw A, Ohtsuki F, Lestrel PE, Kamarul T

Singapore Med J, 2011 Nov;52(11):818-23.
PMID: 22173252

Secular changes in the head and body dimensions of the Japanese population were recorded during the last century, but studies on Japanese adult facial shape were poorly documented. This study aimed to document the secular changes in facial shape and their association with craniofacial measures of Japanese adult female students.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology
Fulltext Craniofacial anthropometric norms of Malays

Ngeow WC, Aljunid ST

Singapore Med J, 2009 May;50(5):525-8.
PMID: 19495526

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to establish the craniofacial anthropometric norms of young adult Malaysian Malays.
METHODS: The study group consisted of convenient samples of 100 healthy volunteers (aged 18-25 years), with an equal number of female and male subjects who had no history of mixed racial parentage. 22 linear measurements were taken twice from 22 landmarks over six craniofacial regions.
RESULTS: The Malays shared many similar sizes of measurements with the Singaporean Chinese. Their left eye fissure length and mouth width (ch-ch) were almost identical for both genders. However, Malay females had an upper lip height (sn-sto) (left) and ear width (pra-pa) similar to Singaporean Chinese females. Six other measurements, viz. the head width (eu-eu), head circumference (on-op), face height (n-gn), lower face height (sn-gn), (left) eye fissure height (ps-pi), cutaneous upper lip height (sn-ls) and cutaneous upper lip height (ls-sto), were 0.4-4.3 mm less in the Malays. Measurements for another four parameters, viz. the length of the head (g-op), biocular width (ex-ex), lower vermillion height (sto-li) and (left) ear length (sa-sba), were 0.5-3.6 mm higher in the Malays. Only three measurements were obviously different; the height of the head (v-n) and intercanthal width (en-en), were lower, and the protrusion of the nasal tip (sn-prn) was higher in the Malays.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that three features, i.e. the height of the head (v-n), intercanthal width (en-en) and protrusion of the nasal tip (sn-prn) may be useful in differentiating a Malay face from a Singaporean Chinese one.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Fulltext Morphometric approach to 3D soft-tissue craniofacial analysis and classification of ethnicity, sex, and age

Agbolade O, Nazri A, Yaakob R, Ghani AA, Cheah YK

PLoS One, 2020;15(4):e0228402.
PMID: 32271782 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228402

BACKGROUND: The application of three-dimensional scan models offers a useful resource for studying craniofacial variation. The complex mathematical analysis for facial point acquisition in three-dimensional models has made many craniofacial assessments laborious.
METHOD: This study investigates three-dimensional (3D) soft-tissue craniofacial variation, with relation to ethnicity, sex and age variables in British and Irish white Europeans. This utilizes a geometric morphometric approach on a subsampled dataset comprising 292 scans, taken from a Liverpool-York Head Model database. Shape variation and analysis of each variable are tested using 20 anchor anatomical landmarks and 480 sliding semi-landmarks.
RESULTS: Significant ethnicity, sex, and age differences are observed for measurement covering major aspects of the craniofacial shape. The ethnicity shows subtle significant differences compared to sex and age; even though it presents the lowest classification accuracy. The magnitude of dimorphism in sex is revealed in the facial, nasal and crania measurement. Significant shape differences are also seen at each age group, with some distinct dimorphic features present in the age groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The patterns of shape variation show that white British individuals have a more rounded head shape, whereas white Irish individuals have a narrower head shape. White British persons also demonstrate higher classification accuracy. Regarding sex patterns, males are relatively larger than females, especially in the mouth and nasal regions. Females presented with higher classification accuracy than males. The differences in the chin, mouth, nose, crania, and forehead emerge from different growth rates between the groups. Classification accuracy is best for children and senior adult age groups.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Study on the criteria for assessing skull-face correspondence in craniofacial superimposition

Ibáñez O, Valsecchi A, Cavalli F, Huete MI, Campomanes-Alvarez BR, Campomanes-Alvarez C, et al.

Leg Med (Tokyo), 2016 Nov;23:59-70.
PMID: 27890106 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.09.009

Craniofacial superimposition has the potential to be used as an identification method when other traditional biological techniques are not applicable due to insufficient quality or absence of ante-mortem and post-mortem data. Despite having been used in many countries as a method of inclusion and exclusion for over a century it lacks standards. Thus, the purpose of this research is to provide forensic practitioners with standard criteria for analysing skull-face relationships. Thirty-seven experts from 16 different institutions participated in this study, which consisted of evaluating 65 criteria for assessing skull-face anatomical consistency on a sample of 24 different skull-face superimpositions. An unbiased statistical analysis established the most objective and discriminative criteria. Results did not show strong associations, however, important insights to address lack of standards were provided. In addition, a novel methodology for understanding and standardizing identification methods based on the observation of morphological patterns has been proposed.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Sex estimation of Malaysian sub-adults using craniometrics: A computed tomography study

Syed Mohd Hamdan SN, Rahmat RA, Abdul Razak F, Abd Kadir KA, Mohd Faizal Abdullah ER, Ibrahim N

Leg Med (Tokyo), 2023 Sep;64:102275.
PMID: 37229938 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102275

Sex estimation is crucial in biological profiling of skeletal human remains. Methods used for sex estimation in adults are less effective for sub-adults due to varied cranium patterns during the growth period. Hence, this study aimed to develop a sex estimation model for Malaysian sub-adults using craniometric measurements obtained through multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). A total of 521 cranial MSCT dataset of sub-adult Malaysians (279 males, 242 females; 0-20 years old) were collected. Mimics software version 21.0 (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) was used to construct three-dimensional (3D) models. A plane-to-plane (PTP) protocol was utilised to measure 14 selected craniometric parameters. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) and binary logistic regression (BLR) were used to statistically analyze the data. In this study, low level of sexual dimorphism was observed in cranium below 6 years old. The level was then increased with age. For sample validation data, the accuracy of DFA and BLR in estimating sex improved with age from 61.6% to 90.3%. All age groups except 0-2 and 3-6 showed high accuracy percentage (≥75%) when tested using DFA and BLR. DFA and BLR can be utilised to estimate sex for Malaysian sub-adult using MSCT craniometric measurements. However, BLR showed higher accuracy than DFA in sex estimation of sub-adults.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology
Endoscopic fenestration at the splenial-habenular junctional area for symptomatic cavum and tumor at the foramen of Monro: case reports and anatomical review

Idris Z, Johnson JR, Abdullah JM

J. Neurosurg., 2015 Mar;122(3):504-10.
PMID: 25343181 DOI: 10.3171/2014.9.JNS132683

The splenial-habenular junctional area is an alternative site for neuroendoscopic fenestration to divert CSF flow into the quadrigeminal cistern in cases in which endoscopic third ventriculostomy is not amenable. In some patients with obstructive hydrocephalus, the splenium of the corpus callosum can be elevated from the habenular complex. This exposes the membranous connection between the splenium and habenula, which can be fenestrated to divert the CSF flow into the quadrigeminal cistern. This technique can be performed in patients in whom the foramen of Monro or the third ventricle is blocked by a lesion. Here, the authors present 3 complex cases that were managed by neuronavigation-guided transventricular transcavum endoscopic fenestration of the splenial-habenular junctional area. These cases may increase the knowledge and understanding of the anatomy of this region.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology
The 'human revolution' in lowland tropical Southeast Asia: the antiquity and behavior of anatomically modern humans at Niah Cave (Sarawak, Borneo)

Barker G, Barton H, Bird M, Daly P, Datan I, Dykes A, et al.

J Hum Evol, 2007 Mar;52(3):243-61.
PMID: 17161859

Recent research in Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia suggests that we can no longer assume a direct and exclusive link between anatomically modern humans and behavioral modernity (the 'human revolution'), and assume that the presence of either one implies the presence of the other: discussions of the emergence of cultural complexity have to proceed with greater scrutiny of the evidence on a site-by-site basis to establish secure associations between the archaeology present there and the hominins who created it. This paper presents one such case study: Niah Cave in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, famous for the discovery in 1958 in the West Mouth of the Great Cave of a modern human skull, the 'Deep Skull,' controversially associated with radiocarbon dates of ca. 40,000 years before the present. A new chronostratigraphy has been developed through a re-investigation of the lithostratigraphy left by the earlier excavations, AMS-dating using three different comparative pre-treatments including ABOX of charcoal, and U-series using the Diffusion-Absorption model applied to fragments of bones from the Deep Skull itself. Stratigraphic reasons for earlier uncertainties about the antiquity of the skull are examined, and it is shown not to be an 'intrusive' artifact. It was probably excavated from fluvial-pond-desiccation deposits that accumulated episodically in a shallow basin immediately behind the cave entrance lip, in a climate that ranged from times of comparative aridity with complete desiccation, to episodes of greater surface wetness, changes attributed to regional climatic fluctuations. Vegetation outside the cave varied significantly over time, including wet lowland forest, montane forest, savannah, and grassland. The new dates and the lithostratigraphy relate the Deep Skull to evidence of episodes of human activity that range in date from ca. 46,000 to ca. 34,000 years ago. Initial investigations of sediment scorching, pollen, palynomorphs, phytoliths, plant macrofossils, and starch grains recovered from existing exposures, and of vertebrates from the current and the earlier excavations, suggest that human foraging during these times was marked by habitat-tailored hunting technologies, the collection and processing of toxic plants for consumption, and, perhaps, the use of fire at some forest-edges. The Niah evidence demonstrates the sophisticated nature of the subsistence behavior developed by modern humans to exploit the tropical environments that they encountered in Southeast Asia, including rainforest.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Gaudio D, Olivieri L, De Angelis D, Poppa P, Galassi A, Cattaneo C. Reliability of craniofacial superimposition using three-dimension skull model. J Forensic Sci 2016; 61(1):5-11

Jayaprakash PT, Hadi H, Srinivasan A, Chellamuthu P, Abd Aziz Mohd Yusop R, Hashim N

J Forensic Sci, 2016 09;61(5):1390-3.
PMID: 27621069 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13187
Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Three-dimensional anatomical accuracy of cranial models created by rapid prototyping techniques validated using a neuronavigation station

Waran V, Devaraj P, Hari Chandran T, Muthusamy KA, Rathinam AK, Balakrishnan YK, et al.

J Clin Neurosci, 2012 Apr;19(4):574-7.
PMID: 22305869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2011.07.031

In neurosurgery and ear, nose and throat surgery the application of computerised navigation systems for guiding operations has been expanding rapidly. However, suitable models to train surgeons in using navigation systems are not yet available. We have developed a technique using an industrial, rapid prototyping process from which accurate spatial models of the cranium, its contents and pathology can be reproduced for teaching. We were able to register, validate and navigate using these models with common available navigation systems such as the Medtronic StealthStation S7®.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Fulltext A cryptic species of the Tylonycteris pachypus complex (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and its population genetic structure in southern China and nearby regions

Huang C, Yu W, Xu Z, Qiu Y, Chen M, Qiu B, et al.

Int J Biol Sci, 2014;10(2):200-11.
PMID: 24550688 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7301

Three distinct bamboo bat species (Tylonycteris) are known to inhabit tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, i.e., T. pachypus, T. robustula, and T. pygmaeus. This study performed karyotypic examinations of 4 specimens from southern Chinese T. p. fulvidus populations and one specimen from Thai T. p. fulvidus population, which detected distinct karyotypes (2n=30) compared with previous karyotypic descriptions of T. p. pachypus (2n=46) and T. robustula (2n=32) from Malaysia. This finding suggested a cryptic Tylonycteris species within T. pachypus complex in China and Thailand. Morphometric studies indicated the difficulty in distinguishing the cryptic species and T. p. pachypus from Indonesia apart from the external measurements, which might be the reason for their historical misidentification. Based on 623 bp mtDNA COI segments, a phylogeographic examination including T. pachypus individuals from China and nearby regions, i.e., Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, was conducted to examine the population genetic structure. Genealogical and phylogeographical results indicated that at least two diverged lineages existed in these regions (average 3.4 % of Kimura 2-parameter distances) and their population structure did not match the geographic pattern. These results suggested that at least two historical colonizations have occurred by the cryptic species. Furthermore, through integration of traditional and geometric morphological results, morphological differences on zygomatic arches, toothrows and bullae were detected between two lineages in China. Given the similarity of vegetation and climate of Guangdong and Guangxi regions, we suggested that such differences might be derived from their historical adaptation or distinct evolutionary history rather than the differences of habitats they occurred currently.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology
Craniodental affinities of Southeast Asia's "negritos" and the concordance with their genetic affinities

Bulbeck D

Hum Biol, 2013 Feb-Jun;85(1-3):95-133.
PMID: 24297222

Genetic research into Southeast Asia's "negritos" has revealed their deep-rooted ancestry, with time depth comparable to that of Southwest Pacific populations. This finding is often interpreted as evidence that negritos, in contrast to other Southeast Asians, can trace much of their ancestry directly back to the early dispersal of Homo sapiens in the order of 70 kya from Africa to Pleistocene New Guinea and Australia. One view on negritos is to lump them and Southwest Pacific peoples into an "Australoid" race whose geographic distribution had included Southeast Asia prior to the Neolithic incursion of "Mongoloid" farmers. Studies into Semang osteology have revealed some hints of Southwest Pacific affinities in cranial shape, dental morphology, and dental metrical "shape." On the other hand, the Andamanese have been shown to resemble Africans in their craniometrics and South Asians in their dental morphology, while Philippine negritos resemble Mongoloid Southeast Asians in these respects and also in their dental metrics. This study expands the scope of negrito cranial comparisons by including Melayu Malays and additional coverage of South Asians. It highlights the distinction between the Mongoloid-like Philippine negritos and the Andamanese and Semang (and Senoi of Malaya) with their non-Mongoloid associations. It proposes that the early/mid-Holocene dispersal of the B4a1a mitochondrial DNA clade across Borneo, the Philippines, and Taiwan may be important for understanding the distinction between Philippine and other negritos.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Conceptual transitions in methods of skull-photo superimposition that impact the reliability of identification: a review

Jayaprakash PT

Forensic Sci Int, 2015 Jan;246:110-21.
PMID: 25498986 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.043

Establishing identification during skull-photo superimposition relies on correlating the salient morphological features of an unidentified skull with those of a face-image of a suspected dead individual using image overlay processes. Technical progression in the process of overlay has included the incorporation of video cameras, image-mixing devices and software that enables real-time vision-mixing. Conceptual transitions occur in the superimposition methods that involve 'life-size' images, that achieve orientation of the skull to the posture of the face in the photograph and that assess the extent of match. A recent report on the reliability of identification using the superimposition method adopted the currently prevalent methods and suggested an increased rate of failures when skulls were compared with related and unrelated face images. The reported reduction in the reliability of the superimposition method prompted a review of the transition in the concepts that are involved in skull-photo superimposition. The prevalent popular methods for visualizing the superimposed images at less than 'life-size', overlaying skull-face images by relying on the cranial and facial landmarks in the frontal plane when orienting the skull for matching and evaluating the match on a morphological basis by relying on mix-mode alone are the major departures in the methodology that may have reduced the identification reliability. The need to reassess the reliability of the method that incorporates the concepts which have been considered appropriate by the practitioners is stressed.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*
Study on the performance of different craniofacial superimposition approaches (II): Best practices proposal

Damas S, Wilkinson C, Kahana T, Veselovskaya E, Abramov A, Jankauskas R, et al.

Forensic Sci Int, 2015 Dec;257:504-508.
PMID: 26482539 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.045

Craniofacial superimposition, although existing for one century, is still a controversial technique within the scientific community. Objective and unbiased validation studies over a significant number of cases are required to establish a more solid picture on the reliability. However, there is lack of protocols and standards in the application of the technique leading to contradictory information concerning reliability. Instead of following a uniform methodology, every expert tends to apply his own approach to the problem, based on the available technology and deep knowledge on human craniofacial anatomy, soft tissues, and their relationships. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of different craniofacial superimposition methodologies and the corresponding technical approaches to this type of identification. With all the data generated, some of the most representative experts in craniofacial identification joined in a discussion intended to identify and agree on the most important issues that have to be considered to properly employ the craniofacial superimposition technique. As a consequence, the consortium has produced the current manuscript, which can be considered the first standard in the field; including good and bad practices, sources of error and uncertainties, technological requirements and desirable features, and finally a common scale for the craniofacial matching evaluation. Such a document is intended to be part of a more complete framework for craniofacial superimposition, to be developed during the FP7-founded project MEPROCS, which will favour and standardize its proper application.

Matched MeSH terms: Skull/anatomy & histology*

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