Incorrect formula for calculation of likelihood ratios used in forensic anthropology: Comments on Scott & Rogers (2026)

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Abstract

Scott & Rogers (2026) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112673 promotes the use of the likelihood-ratioframework in forensic anthropology. This is welcome. Unfortunately, Scott & Rogers (2026) uses an incorrectformula for the calculation of likelihood ratios. This incorrect formula did not originate in Scott & Rogers (2026).It has, for some time, been used in the forensic anthropology literature; an earlier occurrence appears inSteadman et al. (2006) https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.20393. Scott & Rogers (2026) also uses confusing languageand mathematical notation that are non-standard compared to the norms of the forensic-inference-and-statisticsliterature. This letter to the editor is offered in the hope that it will help prevent repetition of these problems.
Original languageEnglish
Article number112859
Number of pages3
JournalForensic Science International
Volume382
Early online date3 Feb 2026
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 3 Feb 2026

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2026, Elsevier B.V. This accepted manuscript version is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Keywords

  • Calculation
  • Forensic anthropology
  • Formula
  • Likelihood ratio
  • Vocabulary

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