Terrie Simmons-Ehrhardt, M.A.

I am a biological anthropologist specializing in 3D applications (computed tomography modeling, 3D scanning, 3D printing, web visualization) within forensic anthropology for forensic skeletal identification and facial approximation. AAFS 2021 Poster Data

Links

Technical Skills/Hardware/Software

3D modeling (CT and microCT), 3D scanning, 3D printing, 3D Slicer, Mimics Innovation Suite and 3-matic, Meshlab, Meshmixer, Fiji, Gimp, NextEngine/ScanStudio, Structure Sensor, TRNIO, Cura, MatterControl, Simplify3D, Agisoft Metashape, some HTML/CSS/Javascript, Blender, Fordisc, PAST

Certifications

Certified Mimics User

Education

2007, M.A. in Anthropology, Texas State University-San Marcos, TX. Thesis: Bioarchaeological Analysis of Commingled Skeletal Remains from Bee Cave Rockshelter (41VV546), Val Verde County, Texas.

1997 B.S. in Microbiology (Chemistry minor), Texas State University-San Marcos, TX.

Ongoing Projects

3D digitization of unidentified cases for forensic facial approximation, including digital repair (if needed), proper orientation for 2D images, facial feature input.
Assisting VCU’s Virtual Curation Laboratory with 3D digitization (3D scanning, 3D rendering of CT and micro-CT scans) and dissemination of pathological skeletal specimens from the National Museum of Health and Medicine

Repositories on Morphosource:

Outreach

Co-organizer of the BioAntTalks Virtual Osteology conference (May 24-28, 2021) on YouTube. Abstracts
Co-founder and co-admin of the Virtual Human Osteology Facebook Discussion Group.
Contributor to Embodi3d.com
Craniofacial Identification Blog (www.forensiccraniofacialid.wordpress.com)

Professional Experience

Researcher (Department of Forensic Science), Adjunct (School of World Studies), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA (Jan 2014-May 2014, Jan 2015-Sept 2017, July 2018-July 2020)

Courses Taught: Forensic Anthropology, 3D Visualization Methods (developed), undergraduate independent studies in 3D scanning and facial approximation
Rendering and analysis of 3D head models from 100+ CT scans
Assisted with forensic anthropology casework at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Richmond, VA

ORISE Visiting Scientist, FBI Laboratory, Quantico, VA (Dec 2007-2011)

3D modeling and quantitative analysis of 400+ head CT scans
Provided anthropological/user input to researchers at GE Global Research for a computerized facial approximation program
Testing and validation of statistically estimated facial approximations
Preparation fo presentations and reports for laboratory management and conferences

Archaeological Technician, Center for Archaeological Studies, Texas State University-San Marcos (Aug 2007-Nov 2007)

Excavation, mapping, shovel-testing, artifact sorting and curation.

Graduate Assistant, Department of Anthropology, Texas State University-San Marcos (Aug 2005-May 2007)

Laboratories taught/courses assisted: Introduction to Physical Anthropology, Techniques in Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Identification.
Assisted with search and recovery workshops for law enforcement.

Book Chapters

2021 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C., Falsetti, A.B. Using Computed Tomography (CT) Data to Build 3D resources for Forensic Craniofacial Identification. In: Rea P.M. (ed) Biomedical Visualization Vol. 9. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Vol. 1317. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61125-5_4

2021 Pearlstein, K.E., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Spatola, B.F., Means, B.K., Mani, M.R. Modernizing Medical Museums through the 3D Digitization of Pathological Specimens. In: Rea P.M. (ed) Biomedical Visualization Vol. 10. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Vol. 1334. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76951-2_9

Journal Articles

1st Author

2021 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T. Open osteology: medical imaging datasets as skeletal collections. Forensic Imaging 26:200462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fri.2021.200462

2020 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T.L., Monson, K.L., Flint, T., Saunders, C.P. Quantitative accuracy and 3D biometric matching of 388 statistically estimated facial approximations of live subjects. Forensic Imaging 21:200377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fri.2020.200377

2019 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T.L., Ehrhardt, C.J., Monson, K.L. Evaluation of the suitability of cranial measurements obtained from surface-rendered CT scans of living people for estimating sex and ancestry. Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, 19:100338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jofri.2019.100338

2019 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C., Ehrhardt, C. Three-Dimensional Craniofacial Variation of Modern Americans: A Visual Reference to Supplement Facial Approximation Methods. Final Summary Overview, National Instirute of Justice Award #2014-DN-BX-K005. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/252745.pdf

2018 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C., Falsetti, A., Ehrhardt, C. Open-source tools for dense facial tissue depth mapping of computed tomography models. Human Biology, 90(1):63-76. https://doi.org/10.13110/humanbiology.90.1.02

Co-Author

2019 Wilson, L., Iqbal, K.M., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Bertino, M.F., Shah, M.R., Yadavalli, V.K., Ehrhardt, C.J. Customizable 3D printed diffusion chambers for studies of bacterial pathogen phenotypes in complex environments. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 162:8-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2019.05.002

2017 Kyllonen, K.M., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Monson, K.L. Stature estimation using measurements of the cranium for populations in the United States. Forensic Science International, 281:184.e1-184.e9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.10.011

2009 Ehrhardt, C.J., Chu, V., West, T., Simmons, T.L., Swan, B., Bannan, J., Robertson, J. Use of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profiles for Discrimination of Bacillus cereus T-Strain Spores Grown on Different Media. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 76(6): 1902-1912. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02443-09

Additional Publications

2019 Wilson, L., Izbal, K.M., Simmons-Ehrhardt T., Bertino, M.F., Shah, M.R., Yadavalli, V.K., Ehrhardt, C.J. (2019): Application of 3D printed diffusion chamber for studying phenotypes of bacterial pathogens in soil. Figshare. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7040411.v1

2017 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C.S., Falsetti, A., Ehrhardt, C. User Guide: Dense facial tissue depth mapping of 3D CT models using Meshlab. Figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.5082445.v1

2017 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C.S., Falsetti, A. Ehrhardt, C. Fileset: Procedure for transforming 3D computed tomography (CT) skull and face models to a common orientation. Figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.4924694.v1

2016 Means, B.K., Zechini, M., McCuistion, A., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Aronowitz, J., Moore, E., Galke, L., Volkers, L, Hite, V., Ale, L., Rahsman, Z., and Huber, A. Legacy Project # 13-334 Virtual Mobility Archaeology Project with Further Applications of Three-Dimensional Digital Scanning of Archaeological Objects

Invited Conference Workshops

2021 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T. Meshlab for Virtual Osteology, Pt. 1 and Pt. 2. BioantTalks Virtual Osteology Conference, May 24-28, 2021. YouTube

Invited Conference Presentations

2021 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T. Software for Virtual Forensic Anthropology. Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe Advanced Course, November 11-13, 2021.

2018 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C., Falsetti, A., Ehrhardt, C. Enhancing Craniofacial Identification Methods with CT Data. Invited poster presented at the “Thinking Computationally About Forensics” symposium at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists Annual Meeting, April 2018, Austin, TX. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.6804092.v2

2018 Falsetti, A., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C., Ehrhardt, C. Facilitating Practitioner Interaction with 3D Craniofacial Identification Resources. Invited poster presented at the “Thinking Computationally About Forensics” symposium at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists Annual Meeting, April 2018, Austin, TX. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.6804224.v1

Conference Presentations

2022 (accepted poster) Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Sochor, S., Falsetti, A. Fractur3D: A Computed Tomography Reference Atlas of Skeletal Trauma. American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2022.

2021 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T. Open Resources for Virtual Osteology. Presentation at the BioantTalks Virtual Osteology Conference, May 24-28, 2021. YouTube

2021 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T. (poster) 3D Web-Based Technologies to Support Interactive Forensic Anthropology Databases. Poster to be presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2021 (virtual). https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14264132.v1 Supplemental

2020 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T. (poster). Open Osteology: Medical Imaging Databases as Skeletal Reference Collections. 9th Annual Congress of the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, May 14-16, 2020, Albuquerque, NM. Cancelled due to COVID-19.

2020 Pearlstein, K.E., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Means, B.K., Spatola, B.F., Christensen, A.M., Thomas, R.M., Mani, M. (poster). Using 3D Modelling to Tell Individual Stories from the American Civil War. American Association of Physical Anthropologists, April 15-18, 2020, Los Angeles, CA. Virtual due to COVID-19. https://meeting.physanth.org/program/documents/2020/12012.pdf

2019 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C., Falsetti, A. Three-dimensional (3D) Craniofacial Identification Resources for Quantification, Immersion, and Collaboration. (oral–online) International Association of Craniofacial Identification, July 2019, Baton Rouge, LA. Virtual due to Tropical Storm Barry.

2019 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Spatola, B.F., Means, B.K., Schaefer, A.D., Pearlstein, K.E. Modernizing Medical Museums Through the 3D Digitization of Pathological Specimens. Poster presented at the 46th Annual North American Meeting of the Paleopathology Association, March 2019, Cleveland, OH. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.11317787.v1

2019 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, A.B., Falsetti, C.S., Ehrhardt, C.J. Interactive Resources for Craniofacial Identification. Poster presented at the 71st Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2019, Baltimore, MD. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7749680.v1

2018 Wilson, L.C., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Shah, M.R., Bertino, M., Yadavalli, V.K., Ehrhardt, C.J. Investigating biochemical phenotypes of Yersinia pestis in soil matrices using novel 3D printed culturing apparatus. Poster presented at the American Society for Microbiology Biothreats Meeting 2018, February 2018, Baltimore, MD. F1000. https://f1000research.com/posters/7-172

2018 Kyllonen, K, Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Monson, K.L. Stature estimation using measurements of the cranium for populations in the United States. Poster presented at the 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2018, New Orleans, LA.

2017 Means, B.K., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T. Beyond the valley of the mastodons: 3-D technology and the mastodons of North America. Poster presented at the Valley of the Mastodons workshop, July 2017, Hemet, CA.

2016 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T. Falsetti, C.S., Ehrhardt, C. Innovative Uses of CT Scans for the Enhancement of Forensic Facial Approximation Methods: A Collaboration Between Forensic Science Researchers and Facial Approximation Practitioners. Poster presented at the 101st International Association for Identification Forensic Educational Conference, August 2016, Cincinnati, OH. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.3627162.v1

2016 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Falsetti, C.S., Ehrhardt, C. Craniofacial Analysis of 3D Computed Tomography (CT) Models and a New Method for Dense Facial Tissue Depth Mapping: A Collaboration between Forensic Science Researchers and Forensic Art Practitioners. Poster presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Las Vegas, NV. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.3582222.v1

2015 Means, B.K., Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Simmons, T.L. Creating a Customized 3D Printed Osteology Study Collection. Oral presentation at the 2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Bioanthropology Interest Group, October 2015, Richmond, VA.

2015 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Ehrhardt, C.J., Monson, K.L. Use of Measurements Derived from Computed Tomography (CT) Head Scans of Modern Americans for Comparison to the Forensic Data Bank of Fordisc 3.0. Poster presented at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2015, Orlando, FL.

2012 Simmons-Ehrhardt, T., Richard, A.H., Parks, C.L., Tu, P.H., and Monson, K.L. REFACE: New Features Addressing the Needs of Forensic Identification Professionals for Objective Facial Approximation. Poster presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2012, Atlanta, GA.

2010 Simmons, T.L., Erno, J.D., Tu, P.H., and Monson, K.L. Biometric Assessment of the Accuracy of a Large Sample of Computerized Facial Approximations. Poster presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2010, Seattle, WA.

2010 Simmons, T.L., Bailey, L., Torpey, M.A., Williams, P.N., and Monson, K.L. Results from a Survey on Computerized Facial Approximation. Poster presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2010, Seattle, WA.

2010 Erno, J.D., Tu, P.H., Simmons, T.L., Williams, P.N., and Monson, K.L. Automatic Skull Landmark Determination for Facial Reconstruction. Presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 2010, Seattle, WA.

2009 Tu, P.H., Belkacemi, S., Hathaway, B., Simmons, T.L., and Williams, P.N. Nose Tip Regression and Mandible Replacement for Facial Reconstruction. Poster presented at the 94th International Educational Conference of the International Association for Identification, July 2009, Tampa, FL.

2007 Simmons, T.L. Analysis of Commingled Skeletal Remains from Bee Cave Rockshelter, Val Verde County, Texas. Poster presented at the 76th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, March 2007, Philadelphia, PA.

Professional Organizations

International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging

International Association of Craniofacial Identification

International Association for Identification

American Association of Biological Anthropologists