Study on the Decision-Making Process of FORDISC®

AAFS Disclaimer

AAFS is neither conducting nor endorsing this research/survey, but rather assisting the members in the recruitment of participants. Any questions regarding the participation request should be directed to the recruiter below.  

We are conducting a study to deepen our understanding of the use of FORDISC®. The aim of this research is to examine, explore, and understand the decision-making processes of forensic anthropologists when assessing population affinity with Fordisc. This is not a Fordisc validation study. Instead, we are seeking to explore how people interact with Fordisc in research and casework. This study is a part of a larger PhD thesis project and has received ethical approval from the Institute of Archaeology Ethics Committee (2022.100) of University College London. The results of this survey will likely be presented at future AAFS meetings and may be submitted for publication in JFS. 
 
This one-time study is fully anonymous and should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. It contains questions about demography and general use of FORDISC®, as well as provides cranial measurements and asks participants to use FORDISC® to estimate population affinity. 
 
To qualify for this study, you must have access to FORDISC®. Additionally, you must be 18 years of age or older, and be studying, teaching, or practicing forensic anthropology. If you would like to participate in this study, please click HERE.
 
This survey will close once 200 responses have been reached, or on September 15, 2023, whichever occurs first. 
 
Thank you in advance for your help and participation!
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
 
Marion Davidson MSc
AAFS Anthropology Section Student Affiliate
University College London
732-841-9428
marion.davidson@ucl.ac.uk

Additional collaborators: 
 
Micayla C. Spiros MS
AAFS Anthropology Section Student Affiliate
Michigan State University 
 
Sherry Nakhaeizadeh PhD
University College London

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