Year 4 BSc Anatomy and Development student Ellie Horne has completed her 8-week research project, funded by the Anatomical Society. Ellie’s research project, ‘Forensic Analysis of the Human Clavicle’ has now concluded in the ATLAS Facility. This project was supervised by Dr Stephen Maclean as part of an ongoing forensic research programme. It was approved by the Anatomical Museum Ethical Research Gateway (Edinburgh) [AMERGE].Over the course of her project, Ellie evaluated the accuracy and reliability of structured light scanning, a form of 3D imaging, to determine the potential uses and limitations of the technology in human identification.Her findings show we have a lot still to learn about 3D scanning: while digital models of the clavicle were reproduced at a life-like size and shape, there are challenges in capturing and displaying the fine surface details on the bone. These details are often used to assist in the estimation of sex and age after death, and therefore this may limit the usefulness of structured light in a forensic context.Ellie presented her results at a recent BMTO poster event, and will also be attending an upcoming Anatomical Society conference to further demonstrate her findings. She will be continuing this research as part of her final year project with Anatomy@Edinburgh.You can read Ellie’s full project report on the Anatomical Society Website.You can learn more about the ATLAS facility, created and led by Dr Jennifer Paxton, on the ATLAS Facility webpage. Publication date 03 Dec, 2024
