a-midori-albert
A Midori Albert, PhD
Professor of Forensic Anthropologist

University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC, USA
Phone: 910.962.7078 (office)
E-mail: albertm@uncw.edu

Education

1995 PhD anthropology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO.
1993       MA anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
1990 BS psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Biography

Midori Albert is a professor, forensic anthropologist, and the Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Minor Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), where she joined the faculty in 1995. She received her doctorate degree in anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder, 1995); her master’s degree in anthropology and bachelor’s degree in psychology are from the University of Florida (UF, 1993 and 1990). Dr. Albert’s educational background involves human skeletal identification methods and techniques as well as an understanding and exploration of normal human skeletal variability. These specializations led her to link with colleagues in computer science, statistics, and mathematics, where her primary research focus since 2003 has been on adult age-related craniofacial morphological changes and their effects on computer automated face recognition technologies. Dr. Albert also continues to study young adult skeletal age estimation, specifically maturation of vertebral ring epiphyses. She is also interested in forensic science issues related to theory, methodology, and practice. Students often actively engage in research learning opportunities with Dr. Albert as areas in skeletal identification, and human biometrics and identity recognition continue to evolve.

Research Interest


Scientific Activities

Professional Experience
2010 Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina     Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
2001       Associate professor, Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
1995 Assistant professor, Department of
Anthropology (aka Anthropology Program;
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and
Criminal Justice; Department of Sociology,
Anthropology, Criminal Justice, and Social
Work), University of North Carolina,
Wilmington, NC
Honors, Awards and Recognitions
2006 Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Faculty membership
1996 Recognized by the UNCW Division of Student Affairs as a faculty member who
2016 had a significant impact on graduating seniors
2012       Service Award, Community United Effort (CUE) Center: National Missing Person’s Conference speaker: Exploring Human Identification: Human vs. Nonhuman Bones. March 23, 2012, Wilmington, NC.
2012       Promotion to the status of Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Sciences
2010       Service Award: “For timeless dedication and hard work to put criminals behind bars through the ‘Silent Bones of Victims’, on behalf of Scarlett Wood”, by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office CSI Detective Division.
2009       UNCW Million Dollar Club
2008       Discere Aude Award for mentoring in teaching, Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), UNCW
2008       UNCW Research Reassignment
2007       Study Sphere Award of Excellence for the forensic anthropology website: www.uncw.edu/albertm
2007       UNCW Chancellor’s Teaching Award nominee
2005       Kenyon Worldwide Disaster Management recognition for service work on body recovery of Hurricane Katrina victims.
2005       UNCW Faculty Scholarship Award nominee
2004       Chapter Certificate of Appreciation, FBI National Academy Associates North Carolina
2003       UNCW Board of Governor’s Teaching Award nominee
1997       Belk Hall Favorite Faculty recognition
1996       Schwartz Hall Favorite Faculty recognition

Publications

Peer reviewed

  1. Albert AM and Wright CL. The Progression of Craniofacial Growth and Development for Use in Biometrics and the Identity Sciences. Global Journal of Anthropological Research. 2016 (3): 16-21.
  2. Albert AM and Lloyd CC. Human Variation in Face Aging in Adult Monozygotic Twins: Biometric Implications for the Identity Sciences. Annals of Forensic Research and Analysis. 2016, 3(1): 1027-1036
  3. Albert AM. Probable Identification from a Single Innominate Caught on a Fishing Hook. Submitted to the Austin Journal of Forensic Science and Criminology,2015, 2(2): 1222-26.
  4. Albert AM. and Wright CL. DNA Prediction in Forensic Anthropology and the Identity Sciences. Submission number 765) for the Global Journal of Anthropological Research (GJAR), 2015, 2:1-6.
  5. Mahalingam G, Ricanek K, Albert AM. Investigating the periocular-based face recognition across gender transformation. Journal of IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence. 2014, 9(12): 2180-2192.
  6. Albert AM, Chen C, Wang Y, Chang, Y. Functional data analysis in the use of eyebrow shape as a biometric indicator in identity sciences. International Journal of Biometrics. 2014, 6(2): 166-179.
  7. Wang Y, Chen C., Albert AM, Chang Y, Ricanek K. Eyebrow shape analysis using a modified functional curve Procrustes distance. 2013 IEEE Sixth International Conference on Biometrics: Theory, Applications and Systems (BTAS), September 2013. ISBN: 978-1-4799-0527-0.
  8. Albert AM and Maier CA. Epiphyseal union of the cervical vertebral centra as a skeletal age indicator in teenagers and young adults. Journal of Forensic Sciences, November 2013, 58(6):1568-74.
  9. Ricanek K, Mahalingam G, Albert AM, Vorder Brugge RW. Human Face Aging: A Perspective Analysis from Anthropology and Biometrics. In: Age Factors in Biometric Processing. M Fairhurst (Ed.). 2013. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Publishers.
  10. Albert M. (Editor). BIOMETRICS: Unique and Diverse Applications in Nature, Science, and Technology, 2011, InTech, Rijeka, Croatia.
  11. Albert M, Sethuram A, Ricanek K. Implications of Adult Facial Aging on Biometrics. In BIOMETRICS: Unique and Diverse Applications in Nature, Science, and Technology, M Albert (Ed.), 2011, InTech, Rijeka, Croatia. Pp. 89-106.
  12. Albert AM, Mulhern DH, Torpey MA, Boone EJ. Age estimation using thoracic and first two lumbar vertebral ring epiphyseal union. Journal of Forensic Sciences, March 2010, 55(2):287-294.
  13. Ricanek K, Patterson EK, Albert AM, Boone EJ. Craniofacial Aging. In: Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Defense. JG Voeller (Ed.). 2009. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. Pp. 1-18.
  14. Albert AM and Ricanek K. The MORPH Database: Investigating the effects of adult craniofacial aging on automated face recognition technology. Forensic Science Communications. April 2008, 10 (2): 10.
  15. Patterson E, Sethuram A, Albert, M, Ricanek K, King M. Aspects of age variation in facial morphology affecting biometrics. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Biometrics: Theory, Applications, and Systems, Washington, DC., September 2007, pp. 1-6.
  16. Patterson E, Sethuram A, Albert AM, Ricanek K. Comparison of synthetic face aging to age progression by forensic sketch artist. Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Visualization, Imaging, and Image Processing, ACTA Press, pp. 247-252. Palma de Mallorca, Spain, August 2007.
  17. Albert AM, Ricanek K, Patterson E. A review of the literature on the aging adult skull and face: Implications for forensic science research and applications. Forensic Science International. 2007, 172:1-9.
  18. Patterson E, Ricanek K., Boone E, Albert M. Automatic Aging of Adult Faces, Proceedings of the IEEE Computer Society Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, New York, June 2006.
  19. Patterson E, Ricanek K, Albert M, Boone E. Automatic representation of adult aging in facial images. Proceedings of the Sixth IASTED International Conference on Visualization, Imaging, and Image Processing, ACTA Press, pp. 171-176 Palma de Mallorca, Spain, August 2006.
  20. Tomberlin JK, Albert AM, Byrd JH, Hall DW. Interdisciplinary workshop yields new entomological data for forensic sciences: Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) established in North Carolina, USA, Journal of Medical Entomology, 2006, 43(6):1287-88.
  21. Albert AM and Bruce KE. Introducing the video web-board as a technologic enhancement to your honors course. Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council (JNCHC), Volume 3, Issue 2. Pp. 33-43. Fall-Winter, 2002.
  22. Albert AM and Greene DL. Bilateral asymmetry in skeletal growth and maturation as an indicator of environmental stress. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 1999, 110(3):341-349.
  23. Albert AM. The pedagogy of Dr. William R. Maples. Journal of Forensic Sciences. July 1999, 44(4):731-732.
  24. Albert AM. The use of vertebral ring epiphyseal union for age estimation in two cases of unknown identity. Forensic Science International. October 1998, 97(1):11-20.
  25. Loftfield TC, Albert AM and Robinson G. Amerindian materials at Codrington College, Journal of the Barbados Museum Historical Society. Vol. XLIII: 1996-1997:115-124.
  26. Albert AM and Maples WR. Stages of epiphyseal union of the vertebral centra as a method of age determination for teenage and young adult skeletons. Journal of Forensic Sciences. July 1995, 40(4):623-633.

Periodicals, Technical Reports

  1. Albert AM and Wright CL. DNA prediction in craniofacial appearance: implications for the identity sciences. 2015. UNCW Technical Report. Randall Library.
  2. Albert AM, Chen C, Wang, Y, Chang Y. Functional data analysis in the use of eyebrow shape as a biometric indicator in identity sciences. Grant deliverable produced as part of the UNCW Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of Identity Sciences. Submitted to the US Department of Defense, April 12, 2012.
  3. Albert AM. Periorbital Region: Definition and Guidelines for Use in Biometric and Identity Science Research. Submitted to M. King, PhD, US Department of Defense, January 2011.
  4. Albert AM and Ricanek K. The use of 3dMD surface imaging technology in forensic face identity research at I2SIS. Forensic Technology Review, March 2011, Web. 1-6. http://ww.forensics-news.com
  5. Albert AM. Human analysis. For. Tech. Rev., July 2010, Web. 105-113. http://www.forensics-news.com/
  6. Albert AM. Adult diachronic facial aging considerations pertinent to computer automated face recognition research. Dyncorp International Technical Report, September 2008. Pp. 1-10.
  7. Albert AM. Stages of epiphyseal union for thoracic and lumbar vertebral centra as a method of age determination for teenage and young adult skeletons. Instructional manual for BoneClones ®Vertebral Centrum Union Set, Part #FO-11-SET, BoneClones, Inc. 2006.
  8. Albert AM. A review of the literature on the interaction of body weight, facial fat, and aging. Dyncorp International Technical Report, April 2006. Pp. 1-17.
  9. Albert AM, Boone EJ, Ricanek K. A pilot study testing human accuracy in age-progressed face recognition: Implciations for computer adult age-progression and automated face recognition. Dyncorp International Technical Report, October 2005. Pp. 1-5.
  10. Ricanek K, Patterson E, Albert AM. Age-related morphological changes: Effects on facial recognition technologies, UNCW Technical Report, CALL #WRG FSC-R, 2004. Pp. 1-16.
  11. Albert AM, Ricanek K, Patterson E. The aging skull and face: A review of the literature and report on factors and processes of change, UNCW Technical Report, CALL #WRG FSC-A, 2004.
  12. Albert AM, Ricanek K, Patterson E. The aging skull and face: A review of the literature and report on factors and processes of change, Technical Report, Dyncorp, July 2004.
  13. Albert AM. Getting Personal with Online Courses. In Swimming in the Electronic Current: Elements of an Online Course, PA Turrisi (Ed.). UNCW Press, 2003, pp. 53-57.
  14. Albert AM. Firsthand Account: Forensic Anthropology. In Opportunities in Forensic Science Careers. B Camenson (Ed.). VGM Career Books, McGraw-Hill, 2001, pp. 85-90.

Manuscripts in Preparation

  1. Albert AM and Payne A. An Assessment of ulnar morphology and variation for use in human identification.
  2. Albert AM, Schwartz J. and Arnold A. Forensic science curricular and career planning: A model for student advising.

Published Abstracts

  1. Albert AM and Sherwood KD. A Test of Cervical Vertebral Ring Union for Age at Death Estimation using the Albert-Sherwood Method. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceedings 2016, Las Vegas, NV, p. 54.
  2. Sherwood KD and Albert AM. Vertebral Maturation in Age Estimation: A Test of the Revised Method of Scoring the Timing and Progress of Vertebral Epiphyseal Ring Union. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceedings 2015, Volume 21, Orlando, FL, p. 85.
  3. Albert AM. Thoracic and first two lumbar vertebral ring epiphyseal union in skeletal age estimation: Testing a revised method of documenting the maturation process. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceedings 2014. Volume 20, Seatlle, WA, pp. 406-407.
  4. Albert AM. Patterns and timing of cervical vertebral ring epiphyseal union in individuals aged 10-30 years at death. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceedings 2013. Volume 19, Washington DC, pp. 451-452.
  5. Albert AM. Sex differences in vertebral centra height from a modern autopsy sample of adolescents and young adults. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceedings 2012, Volume 18, Atlanta, GA, pp. 378-379.
  6. Albert AM. Cervical vertebral centra epiphyseal union as an age estimation method in teenage and young adult skeletons. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceedings 2011, Volume 17, Chicago, IL.
  7. Albert AM. The role of adult age-related craniofacial changes and the MORPH database in computer automated face recognition research and development, Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2009, Volume 15, p. 334.
  8. Patterson E, Ricanek K, Albert M, Boone E. Automatic Representation of Adult Aging in Facial Images, Proceeding (541) Visual, Imaging, and Image Processing, 2006.
  9. Albert AM, Tomberlin, JK, Johnson, C. Observations of Decomposition in Southern Coastal North Carolina, Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2006, Volume 12, p. 309.
  10. Albert AM and Murphy EH. A Preliminary Study of Adult Age-Related Morphological Changes of the Seventh Thoracic Vertebra, Supplement 40, American Journal of Physical Anthropology Annual Meeting Issue, March 2005, p. 64.
  11. Albert AM and Beltran LE. Dental Enamel Thickness as a Method of Subadult Sex Determination, Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2005, Volume 11, p. 302.
  12. Tomberlin JK, Albert AM, Byrd JH, Hall DW. Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Workshops: A Venue for Data Collection, Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2005, Volume 11, p. 334.
  13. Albert AM and Murphy EH. A preliminary study of adult age-related morphological changes in the seventh thoracic vertebra. American Journal of Physical Anthropology Annual Meeting issue 2005, Supplement 40, p. 64.
  14. Albert AM and McCallister KA. Estimating Age at Death from Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebral Ring Epiphyseal Union Data, Supplement 38, American Journal of Physical Anthropology Annual Meeting Issue, March 2004, p. 51.
  15. Albert AM. Preliminary observations of vertebral centra retraction and its relationship to age. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2004, Volume 10, pp. 323-324.
  16. Albert AM, Wescott DJ, Sparks CS. Bilateral asymmetry in epiphyseal union as an indicator of stress in the Arikara. Supplement 32 to the American Journal of Physical Anthropology Annual Meeting Issue, Supplement 32, March 2001, p. 31.
  17. Turrisi P and Albert AM. The faculty team approach to developing online courses: Sustaining student-centered learning in cyberspace. The University of the Future and the Future of Universities: Learner-Centered Universities for the New Millennium, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universitat, Frankfurt, Germany, pp. 402-406, July 2000.
  18. Albert AM. A comparison of bilateral asymmetry in skeletal maturation between upper body and lower body epiphyses, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Supplement 30 to the AJPA, Annual Meeting Issue, March 2000, p. 93.
  19. Albert AM. Bilateral fluctuating asymmetry in skeletal growth and maturation as an indicator of environmental stress, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Supplement 28 to the AJPA, Annual Meeting Issue 1999, p. 82.
  20. Albert AM. Skeletal maturation and environmental stress in ancient Nubian teenagers and young adults, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Supplement 26 to the AJPA, Annual Meeting Issue, March,1998, p. 68.
  21. Albert AM. The pedagogy of Dr. William R. Maples, Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 1998, Volume IV.
  22. Albert AM. Epiphyseal union of the vertebral centra as an age estimation method in paleodemography, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Supplement 24 to the AJPA, Annual Meeting Issue, March 1997, p. 65.
  23. Albert AM, Maples WR. The use of vertebral ring epiphyseal union in two cases of unknown identity, Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 1996, Volume II.
  24. Albert AM. Age determination from observations of epiphyseal union of the vertebral centra, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Supplement 20 to the AJPA, Annual Meeting Issue 1995, p. 56.
  25. Albert AM. Stages of epiphyseal union of the superior and inferior vertebral centra as a method of age estimation for teenage and young adult skeletons, American Academy of Forensic Sciences Program, February 1994.

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