Experimental assessment of the surface quality of 3D printed bones

Rachael M. Carew; Ruth M. Morgan; Carolyn Rando

doi:10.1080/00450618.2020.1759684

Experimental assessment of the surface quality of 3D printed bones

Rachael M. Carew
, Ruth M. Morgan
, Carolyn Rando

University College London

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

76 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

3D printed replicas of human remains are useful tools in courtroom demonstrations. Presently, little published research has investigated the surface quality of printed replicas for use in the presentation of forensic anthropology evidence. In this study, 3D printed replicas of nine human bones were reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) scan data using selective laser sintering (SLS). A three-phased approach assessed: i) the metric accuracy of the 3D prints; ii) the viability of applying age and sex estimation methods (with multiple observers (n = 8); and, iii) the surface quality using a customized scoring method (with multiple observers (n = 8)). The results confirmed that the prints in this study were accurate to within 2.0 mm of the original dry bone. Observers were able to confidently assess the gross features of the prints; however fine surface details were not always well represented compared to the dry bones. These findings confirm the applicability of 3D printed replicas for courtroom exhibition of gross features but offer caution against their use when fine detailing is important for evaluative interpretation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	592-609
Number of pages	18
Journal	Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Volume	53
Issue number	5
Early online date	3 May 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2020.1759684
Publication status	Published - 3 Sept 2021
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences on 03/05/2020, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00450618.2020.1759684

Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

Keywords

forensic science
forensic anthropology
evidence reconstruction
3D printing
Forensic science

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Access to Document

10.1080/00450618.2020.1759684

Post-PrintAccepted author manuscript, 710 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

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title = "Experimental assessment of the surface quality of 3D printed bones",

abstract = "3D printed replicas of human remains are useful tools in courtroom demonstrations. Presently, little published research has investigated the surface quality of printed replicas for use in the presentation of forensic anthropology evidence. In this study, 3D printed replicas of nine human bones were reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) scan data using selective laser sintering (SLS). A three-phased approach assessed: i) the metric accuracy of the 3D prints; ii) the viability of applying age and sex estimation methods (with multiple observers (n = 8); and, iii) the surface quality using a customized scoring method (with multiple observers (n = 8)). The results confirmed that the prints in this study were accurate to within 2.0 mm of the original dry bone. Observers were able to confidently assess the gross features of the prints; however fine surface details were not always well represented compared to the dry bones. These findings confirm the applicability of 3D printed replicas for courtroom exhibition of gross features but offer caution against their use when fine detailing is important for evaluative interpretation.",

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note = "This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor \& Francis in Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences on 03/05/2020, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00450618.2020.1759684 Copyright {\textcopyright} and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. ",

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Y1 - 2021/9/3

N2 - 3D printed replicas of human remains are useful tools in courtroom demonstrations. Presently, little published research has investigated the surface quality of printed replicas for use in the presentation of forensic anthropology evidence. In this study, 3D printed replicas of nine human bones were reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) scan data using selective laser sintering (SLS). A three-phased approach assessed: i) the metric accuracy of the 3D prints; ii) the viability of applying age and sex estimation methods (with multiple observers (n = 8); and, iii) the surface quality using a customized scoring method (with multiple observers (n = 8)). The results confirmed that the prints in this study were accurate to within 2.0 mm of the original dry bone. Observers were able to confidently assess the gross features of the prints; however fine surface details were not always well represented compared to the dry bones. These findings confirm the applicability of 3D printed replicas for courtroom exhibition of gross features but offer caution against their use when fine detailing is important for evaluative interpretation.

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Experimental assessment of the surface quality of 3D printed bones

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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