Elise J Adams - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Conference Presentations by Elise J Adams

To Bayes or not to Bayes?: Building prior knowledge of decedent recovery rates in the United States through investigations of structural inequalities within the 2020 census

Abstract: Structural inequalities that affect health in the living also impact forensic investiga... more Abstract: Structural inequalities that affect health in the living also impact forensic investigations. There is a paucity of research on how such inequalities might affect decedent recovery times and identification efforts. As part of an ongoing project to address this problem, we consider how structural inequalities borne out in the 2020 United States(U.S.) Census might inform our efforts to predict forensic recovery times based on self-reported racial and ethnic identities. Census data are used to determine resource allocation and population representation, so miscounting or undercounting, especially among marginalized populations, can have dire social and economic effects. We fit aBayesian intercept-free beta-binomial model with flat priors to estimate the posterior probability of being miscounted in the census among AmericanIndian/Alaska Native, Asian American/PacificIslander, Black, Latinx, and White individuals living in Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. We found a racial/ethnic gradient across these states, with American Whites exhibiting the lowest(0.0009-0.004) and American Blacks having the highest probability of being miscounted (0.03),with the remaining groups occupying the middle ground between these extremes. These findings reiterate the systematic biases evident in the U.S.census since its inception and the potential negative health impacts on persons of color. Based on these findings, we argue that miscount probabilities derived from the 2020 U.S. census can serve as a guide for selecting appropriate prior probabilities needed to predict forensic recovery times.Such modeling efforts are necessary to under-stand the structural and social factors affecting decedent recovery time and forensic identification outcomes.

Demographic Timelines: Postmortem data and structural violence in the Southeastern United States

Abstract: When an individual’s remains are found, it is imperative to determine how long the pers... more Abstract: When an individual’s remains are found, it is imperative to determine how long the person has been deceased prior to their recovery, also known as the Postmortem Interval (PMI) [1,2]. Over the past few decades, forensic anthropological research has made significant strides in developing better methods for decedent identification and increasing the accuracy of time since death/PMI estimations [2]. Even so, little emphasis has been placed on how socioeconomic considerations might be connected, especially regarding recovery times for individuals from varying demographic backgrounds. Ongoing inequities and negative perceptions can impact factors relating to missing and unidentified persons, such as their likelihood of going missing and being recovered safely [3-5]. Specifically, casework associated with marginalized communities has commonly been fraught with difficulties; these challenges stem from structural barriers and biases in government policies, tensions between marginalized groups and law enforcement, and discrepancies in media attention, including underreporting or misrepresenting cases [6-8]. Implementing both an intersectional and biocultural framework, this research aimed to decipher the role that inequality, through instances of social vulnerability and structural violence, plays in recovery time data throughout the Southeastern United States. PMI recovery data from forensic anthropologists and medicolegal labs in Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Carolina were used. These data included recovery times and basic demographic information. Data received from South Carolina included individuals from a single county between 2021 and 2024 (n = 5,448), while Mississippi (n = 175) and Louisiana (n = 117) datasets were based on statewide repositories. Due to the statistical similarities in the datasets, the data from Mississippi and Louisiana were combined (n = 285).

All statistical analyses were performed using RStudio (v. 2021.09.2). Kruskal-Wallis One-Way Analysis of Variance tests were used to assess the possibility of a significant relationship between PMI and the three tested variables (Age, Sex, and Ancestry). Only the age category variable was significant (p = 0.000182) with the combined datasets. However, when the ancestry category was analyzed with just Black and White individuals (each n = 137), the results indicated significance (p = 0.03835). South Carolina results indicated that age (p = 9.631e-9) and sex (p = 1.923e-4) were significant, while ancestry was not. The combined repositories and South Carolina had more days prior to recovery for middle-aged (35–66 years old) adults and those who identified as White. Sex differed; females from the combined repositories had higher PMI averages, while South Carolina had higher averages for males. Finally, based on location, South Carolina had shorter PMI time spans, averaging a little over a day, while the combined repositories had PMI averages between 1.5–2 years.

Results from South Carolina and the combined repositories from Louisiana and Mississippi suggest a mix of demographic disparities in recovery times for medicolegal cases reported in these Southeastern states. Moreover, the lack of available postmortem recovery data across agencies in the Southeastern United States was evident. Overall, our findings suggested that individuals from marginalized backgrounds are more underreported than what is currently acknowledged. This result emphasizes the negative impact that the intersectionality of various identities can cause and contributes to instances of structural violence and vulnerability against populations that we cannot fully comprehend. Considerations of how systematic violence can impact socioeconomic and sociopolitical factors for a demographic group’s recovery times highlight disparities in how politics, law enforcement, and medicolegal personnel assist and conduct casework.

References:
1. Megyesi, M. S., Nawrocki, S. P., and Haskell, N. H. (2005). Using accumulated degree-days to estimate the postmortem interval from decomposed human remains. Journal of Forensic Science, 50(3), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1520/JFS2004017. 2. Wescott, D. J. (2018). Recent advances in forensic anthropology: decomposition research. Forensic Sciences Research, 3(4), 278-293. https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2018.1488571. 3. Bird, C.E., and Bird, J.D.P. (2022). Devaluing the Dead: The Role of Stigma in Medicolegal Death Investigations of Long-Term Missing and Unidentified Persons in the United States. The Marginalized in Death: A Forensic Anthropology of Intersectional Identity in the Modern Era, edited by J.F. Byrnes and I. Sandoval-Cervantes, Lexington Books, Lanham, pp. 93-118. 4. Byrnes, J. F., and Sandoval-Cervantes, I. (Eds.) (2022). The Marginalized in Death: A Forensic Anthropology of Intersectional Identity in the Modern Era. Lexington Books. 5. Ferguson, L., Elliott, M., and Kim, S. (2023). Examining the connection between missing persons and victimization: An application of lifestyle exposure theory. Crime & Delinquency, 69(3), 656-681. https://doi.org/10.1177/001112872211097. 6. Sommers, Z. (2016). Missing white woman syndrome: An empirical analysis of race and gender disparities in online news coverage of missing persons. J. Crim. L. & Criminology, 106: 275. 7. Moss, J. L. (2019). The forgotten victims of missing white woman syndrome: an examination of legal measures that contribute to the lack of search and recovery of missing black girls and women. Wm. & Mary J. Race Gender & Soc. Just., 25, 737. 8. Puerto, M. S., Abboud, D., Baraybar, J. P., Carracedo, A., Fonseca, S., Goodwin, W., Guyomarc'h , P., Jimenez, A., Krenzer, U., Mendez, M. D. M., Prieto, J. L., Rodriguez Gonzalez, J., Ruiz Orozco, Y., Taylor, J., Tennakoon, A., Winter, K., and Finegan, O. (2021). The search process: Integrating the investigation and identification of missing and unidentified persons. Forensic Science International: Synergy, 3, 100154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100154.

Keywords: PMI; Southeastern United States; Structural Violence

Human anatomical teaching specimens have been used in a variety of U.S. institutions for centurie... more Human anatomical teaching specimens have been used in a variety of U.S. institutions for centuries; however, their provenience is rarely documented or acknowledged. While the illegal trade of human remains was banned in 1985, remnants of the trade still exist between impoverished Eastern Asian countries and U.S. institutions. In classrooms and labs nationwide, there are boxes of heavily handled and distressed human skeletal remains that have been used to train many aspiring anthropologists and medical professionals. Unfortunately, there is no standardized method of care for these skeletal remains when they are retired in institutions.

The objectives for this project include: 1.) a focus on the history of trafficking human anatomical specimens to the West, 2.) implementing a standardized method of care regarding handling of human skeletal teaching specimens, and 3.) developing ethical protocols for retiring and repatriating human skeletal specimens. Potential methodologies of repatriation and retirement were assessed through systematic review of relevant literature and human remains trafficking public forum discussions. From this review, we found an evident gap in the published academic literature relating to methodologies for care and strategies for addressing human remains trafficking. As a result, we propose several initiatives, such as the creation of a network of scholars and practitioners that work to create and implement protocols for these specimens, executing an institution-specific curation plan, and development of a 3D digital repository for retired remains. Through these efforts, we can impact the care and long-term curation of these remains currently stored in our institutions.

During forensic skeletal analyses, the skull is used to score a variety of characteristics relate... more During forensic skeletal analyses, the skull is used to score a variety of characteristics related to a biological profile, including age, sex, and evidence of trauma. Contemporary skeletal collections, like the New Mexico Decedent Image Database (NMDID), contain documented demographics and medical histories, including trauma, from hundreds of individuals [1]. These resources can provide another source of potential evidence for identification.

Skeletal remains with evidence of trauma have been known to assist with uncovering the identities of targeted people(s), the specific trauma they suffered, and the lasting biological and cultural impacts [2,3]. Trauma is often associated with violence (structural or interpersonal) and can be determined by assessing the injury mechanisms and other factors surrounding trauma to the skeleton (i.e., accidents or interpersonal violence). The objective of this study was to assess skull trauma from a documented skeletal database and examine how demographics can provide essential information on those who experience these types of injuries.

Data from 40 individuals associated with fatal skull trauma were collected from the NMDID and categorized by whether the trauma was accidental or interpersonal violence. The sample consisted of 10 females and 30 males between the ages of 15-85 years old, which were further divided into individuals older and younger than 40 years old (29 and 11 individuals, respectively). Statistical analyses were performed through Fisher’s Exact tests using RStudio Statistical Analysis software (v.4.1.2) to examine whether traumatic events were related to accidents or violence, and to compare sex and age demographics. The results of these analyses showed significant differences (p < 0.001) with higher rates of accidental skull trauma compared to violent skull trauma, but there was no observed significance with age or sex. However, there was a higher number of accidental incidents among individuals over 40 years old and the data showed a disproportionately high number of males with head injuries compared to females.

While results presented do not indicate significantly higher rates of physical violence, the higher number of accidents among individuals over 40 years old, and an increased number of accidents and violent events among males indicates that there may be evidence of structural violence. Interpretations of structural violence could include a lack of proper care for older individuals who are at an increased fall risk, and the possibility of gender-based violence among males. Further analysis into other societal factors and injury mechanisms could allow for a better understanding of how different forms of trauma relate to evidence of violence, and its overall impact on individuals within a population.

References:
1. Edgar, H., Daneshvari Berry, S., Moes, E., Adolphi, N., Bridges, P., & Nolte, K. 2020. New Mexico decedent image database. Office of the Medical Investigator, University of New Mexico: Albuquerque, NM, USA.

2. Pérez, V. R. 2016. The poetics of violence in bioarchaeology: Integrating social theory with trauma analysis. New Directions in Biocultural Anthropology, Hoboken (Nueva Jersey), Wiley & Sons, 453-469.

3. Passalacqua, N. V., & Rainwater, C. W. (Eds.). 2015. Skeletal trauma analysis: case studies in context. John Wiley & Sons.

In collaboration with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Mississippi Department of Archives a... more In collaboration with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State University held two field schools at the Lyon’s Bluff mound site (22OK520) in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. During the field schools, we discovered artifacts and features indicative of multiple 18th/19th century Choctaw homesteads. These Choctaw families strategically built their homes on top of preexisting house mounds constructed between AD 1200 - 1650. These findings reveal that the Choctaw occupied the site right after it was unoccupied and highlights important historical and cultural connections between the Choctaw and the Lyon’s Bluff site.

There is a corpus of research that explores the etiology of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dement... more There is a corpus of research that explores the etiology of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, with discussions of age and head trauma remaining at the forefront. However, there has been little research into the role interpersonal and systemic violence, as well as other aspects of forensics, play in the potential perpetuation of inequalities for individuals who are considered marginalized in the U.S. The objective of this project is to explore the correlation between marginalized communities and head trauma associated with skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries as it relates to both cranial and neurological health, and the development of Alzheimer's and other dementias. Methodology for this study included quantitative data from the southeast region of the U.S. with the expectation to broaden this research into all 50 states, highlighting these inequalities to further educate healthcare providers, and other individuals in law enforcement and the medicolegal field.

Cranial depression fractures (CDFs) are one of many forms of skull trauma correlated with violenc... more Cranial depression fractures (CDFs) are one of many forms of skull trauma correlated with violence as opposed to accidents. The incorporation of a biocultural approach on the analysis of CDFs allows for the considerations of socioeconomic and sociocultural impacts they have on health and well-being beyond physical violence. These effects include the placement of CDFs in relation to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and potential connections to structural violence. Structural violence exists as an invisible form of violence where a society can enable socioeconomic and sociocultural discrepancies against socially and economically depressed individuals within a population, causing detrimental impacts to their overall health and well-being. Preliminary case study results of an adult individual (sex indeterminate) from the Mississippi State Asylum (MSA) demonstrate the role that CDFs and structural violence might have contributed to the MSA admittance. Burial 49 exhibits trauma on the left parietal bone associated with a cranial depression fracture in the process of healing at the time of death. The CDF present on Burial 49 was located in a region statistically associated with an injury caused by interpersonal violence, rather than an accident or fall. Location of the CDF places the potential for a brain injury on the parietal lobe. Associated with the cortex controlling the integration between senses and environment, injury to this portion of the brain can lead to Gerstmann’s Syndrome, including difficulties with understanding spoken/written language and mathematics. While uncommon today, admittance to an asylum would have been common for issues related to brain injuries during the MSA’s operational years between 1855-1935. The MSA was built as part of a progressive movement with the intention of providing better mental health care to residents of Mississippi and the surrounding area. However, sociocultural attitudes towards mental health were still highly stigmatized and conditions within the MSA were less than favorable. The case study of Burial 49 establishes a baseline from which to examine traumatic brain injuries secondary to proximal CDFs, a result of structural violence that potentially led to admittance to the Mississippi State Asylum between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Papers by Elise J Adams

Humans, 2023

Violence and trauma are nested in human rights violations worldwide. Since the 1980s, several int... more Violence and trauma are nested in human rights violations worldwide. Since the 1980s, several international and domestic organizations have formed to conduct investigations following instances of political unrest and sociocultural violence. These inhumane events are evidence of structural violence, an invisible trauma that exacerbates societal discrepancies within a population and can manifest harm to marginalized groups. Structural violence can be observed in both living individuals and through the treatment of human remains. Individuals who are missing or remain unidentified from violent outbreaks are often from marginalized groups. Because of this, a biocultural approach is necessary as it emphasizes the interplay between biology, environment, and culture. Recent work in the Americas on human rights violations has focused on fatalities due to increased migration at the US/Mexico border. Multiple organizations from the United States and other countries have developed strategies to assist in the recovery, identification, and repatriation of migrants. We aim to highlight the biocultural approach in these humanitarian actions, especially the practice of forensic anthropology, with structural violence and humanitarian identification efforts related to the missing and unidentified persons found along the US/Mexico border.

Sex, gender, and sexuality in paleopathology: Select current developments and pathways forward

International Journal of Paleopathology, 2023

Objective Overall, paleopathology trails behind related fields in exploring sex, gender, and sexu... more Objective
Overall, paleopathology trails behind related fields in exploring sex, gender, and sexuality in past societies. Here, we interrogatively synthesize scholarship on topics not included in similar reviews, focusing on sex estimation methods, and considering the social determinants of health; trauma; reproduction and family; and childhood – to highlight novel, social epidemiology- and social theory-informed frameworks and interpretive devices.

Conclusions
Many paleopathological interpretations focus on sex-gender differences relative to health, with increasing use of intersectionality. Others consistently project present-day ideologies about sex, gender, and sexuality (e.g., binary sex-gender systems) into paleopathological interpretations (i.e., presentism).

Significance
Paleopathologists have an ethical imperative to generate scholarship that contributes to social justice initiatives focused on dismantling structural inequalities, especially relative to sex, gender, and sexuality (e.g., homophobia), such as through denaturalizing presentist binary systems. They also have a responsibility towards greater inclusivity relative to researcher identity and diversification of method and theory.

Limitations
In addition to material limitations complicating reconstructions of sex, gender, and sexuality relative to health and disease in the past, this review wasn’t comprehensive. The review was also limited by the relative paucity of paleopathological work on these topics.

Suggestions for Future Research: The outlook for paleopathological research on sex, gender, and sexuality is, however, positive; paleopathology is well situated to tackle these aspects of social identity. Future work should consider critical, self-reflective movement away from presentism; more robust contextualization; and further engagement with social theory and social epidemiology theory and approaches, including the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), social determinants of health, and intersectionality.

$Research paper thumbnail of Causative effects of cranial depression fractures: A case study of structural violence and social vulnerability within the Mississippi state asylum$

Forensic Science International Synergy, 2023

Cranial depression fractures (CDFs) are often associated with violence in a forensic and bioarcha... more Cranial depression fractures (CDFs) are often associated with violence in a forensic and bioarchaeological context. Interpretations of CDFs, using a structural vulnerability framework, allow for examination of possible socioeconomic and sociocultural factors that influence an individual's life history. Placement of CDFs in relation to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and their potential connections to structural violence become essential for analysis. This case study presented Burial 49 from the Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum (MSA). Burial 49 was an adult individual (probable male) who exhibited antemortem trauma to the left parietal bone with an associated CDF. The injury location had the potential to cause a variety of neurological and developmental issues, including difficulty understanding spoken/written language. This case study demonstrates how CDFs, structural violence, and social vulnerabilities might have contributed to an increased risk of MSA admittance and provide context for why this individual was marginalized.