Forensic Anthropology Companion Podcast Episode 7: Vol. 2. No. 1 - Micayla Spiros on the Standardization of Postcranial Nonmetric Traits and Their Utility in Ancestry Analysis

In this episode I am joined by Dr. Matthew Go, Nandar Yukyi, and Elaine Chu to discuss their article "On WEIRD Anthropologists and Their White Skeletons" from Volume 4, Number 4.

In this episode I am joined by Marin Pilloud, SaMoura Horsley, Chaunesey Clemmons, and Casey Philbin to discuss their article "Terminology Used to Describe Human Variation in Forensic Anthropology" from Vol. 4. No. 4. also co-authored by: Cassie Skipper, Alba Craig, Krista Latham, Katie Zejdlik, and Deborah Boehm.

In this episode I am joined by Kamar Afra to discuss her paper, "Self-Reported Ancestry and Craniofacial SNPs: Assessing Correspondence with Implications for Forensic Case Analysis and Reporting" from Vol. 4. No. 4.  co-authored by Drs. Michelle Hamilton and Bridget Algee-Hewitt. This episode is dedicated in memory of Dr. Steve Ousley. You are missed as a mentor and a friend. 

In this episode I am joined by Dr. Kate Spradley to discuss her paper co-authored by Dr. Richard Jantz, "What Are We Really Estimating in Forensic Anthropological Practice, Population Affinity or Ancestry?" from Vol. 4, No. 4.   Click here to access data used in this study You can follow Operation Identification through Facebook or through Instagram using #operationidentification

In this episode I am joined by Drs. Heather Edgar and Steve Ousley to discuss their paper, "Testing the Homogeneity of 'White': Dental Morphology in Americans and Australians of European Descent" from Vol. 4, No. 4.  In this episode, we explore the importance of testing our assumptions and long-held beliefs. To find out more about Dr. Edgar's work check out the Bridge Lab.  Also, please check out  the New Mexico Decedent Image Database and the Orthodontics Case File System.  You can follow Dr. Ousley at statsmachine.net

In this episode I am joined by longtime colleague and friend, Dr. Alexandra Klales, to discuss her paper, "Current State of Sex Estimation in Forensic Anthropology" from Vol. 4 No. 2.  Dr. Klales and I do a deep dive into an aspect of the biological profile that receives little attention, and, importantly, how we should all be embracing uncertainty. You can access the MorphoPASSE program at www.morphopasse.com and follow Dr. Klales through the Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Recovery Unit or her personal website.

In this episode, Dr. Doug Ubelaker of the Smithsonian Institution, Department of Anthropology discusses The Historical Development of Forensic Anthropology from Volume 3, Number 3.

In this episode of the Forensic Anthropology Companion Podcast, I am joined by Rachel Simpson and Dr. Hugh McKenzie to discuss their paper Ancestry Variation in the Accuracy of Rogers's Sex Estimation Method from Volume 3, Number 3.

Today I am joined by return guest, Dr. Chris Maier, to discuss his paper, Evaluating Mixed-Methods Models for the Estimation of Ancestry from Skeletal Remains, from Volume 2, Issue No. 1.  We do a deep dive on statistics focusing on the different ways you can evaluate model performance and what each of these different metrics tells you.

In this episode I am joined by Micayla Spiros to discuss her paper, Standardization of Postcranial Nonmetric Traits and Their Utility in Ancestry Analysis from Volume 2. No. 1.  We discuss the concept of ancestry and the trials and tribulations of method standardization.