Bruise Visibility

Determining quality in forensic injury imaging - ��AV secures NIH AIM-AHEAD funding to advance equity in AI-driven injury detection

dhawkin — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:21:21 +0000

Determining quality in forensic injury imaging - ��AV secures NIH AIM-AHEAD funding to advance equity in AI-driven injury detection dhawkin Fri, 11/22/2024 - 13:21

In This Story

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN

David Lattanzi

��AV has been awarded funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through its Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) program.

This initiative encourages more people from historically underrepresented groups in researching and developing of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models. AIM-AHEAD aims to leverage the growing volume of data generated through electronic health records (EHR) and other biomedical research to address health disparities and inequities.

Janusz Wojtusiak. Photo by the Office of University Branding

The newly funded project, led by Janusz Wojtusiak, builds upon the Equitable and Accessible Software for Injury Detection (EAS-ID) initiative aimed at building artificial intelligence tools for collecting, assessing and analyzing injury data. The new funding specifically addresses the problem of measuring equity and quality of imaging documentation.

In addition to Wojtusiak, an interdisciplinary research team comprising Katherine Scafide and David Lattanzi is joined by Health Informatics Assistant Professor Eman Elashkar, Research Assistant Professor Jesse Kirkpatrick, who is also the acting director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy, and Amin Nayebi Nodoushan, a postdoctoral researcher at Mason.

Their research focuses on using AI methods combined with Alternate Light Sources (ALS) to improve bruise detection, addressing visibility issues for individuals with darker skin tones who often encounter challenges in accurately assessing injuries sustained from violence.

Current literature highlights that skin color significantly influences the accuracy of AI-based tools in healthcare. Studies have documented disparities in the performance of medical devices, such as pulse oximeters and smartwatches, which frequently yield inaccurate readings for individuals with darker skin. These discrepancies can lead to delays in critical medical interventions, exacerbating existing health disparities.

The proposed research will focus specifically on bruises, the most common type of soft tissue injury experienced by victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Statistics indicate that approximately one in three people in the U.S. have experienced IPV, with racial minorities reporting disproportionately higher rates. Survivors with darker skin tones have noted that their bruises are often invisible, resulting in significant delays in seeking necessary medical care.

Katherine Scafide is part of the multidisciplinary team working to advance equity in AI-driven injury detection. Photo by Emma Anderson.

Leveraging the innovative use of ALS, the George Mason research team has demonstrated marked improvement in bruise visibility across diverse skin tones. The team aims to develop methods that ensure that AI-based tools provide equitable and unbiased detection and characterization of injuries. This will involve creating combined technical-ethical metrics to assess the performance of these tools across different skin tones. Engaging diverse stakeholders, including clinicians, forensic nurses, and community representatives, will be essential in the development process to align with ethical practices in AI.

The research team’s two primary aims are to develop metrics that assess equity in AI tools and apply these metrics to improve bruise detection models. They have already collected a substantial dataset of bruise images taken under various lighting conditions, which will be utilized to enhance the AI models’ performance. The interdisciplinary nature of the research team, comprising informaticians, engineers, clinicians, and ethicists, ensures a comprehensive approach to tackling these complex issues.

In alignment with AIM-AHEAD’s goals, this research initiative promises to contribute significantly to addressing health inequities and enhancing the capabilities of AI in healthcare. By focusing on the specific needs of underrepresented communities, the George Mason research team is paving the way for more equitable health care solutions, ultimately aiming to improve the accuracy and efficacy of injury assessments across diverse populations.

This project is led by George Mason’s College of Public Health in collaboration with the College of Engineering and Computing. More information on the project can be found at bruise.gmu.edu.

Topics

Bruise Visibility

Artifical Intelligence

Machine Learning

Machine Learning in Health Care

Research

Setting standards of excellence for forensic nursing policy and practice

Jennifer Pocock — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:30:19 +0000

Setting standards of excellence for forensic nursing policy and practice Jennifer Pocock Thu, 11/07/2024 - 15:30

In This Story

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN

Associate Professor in the School of Nursing Katherine Scafide appointed to the inaugural American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board Forensic Nursing Consensus Body.

Katherine Scafide, Associate
Professor, School of Nursing

Katherine Scafide, associate professor in the School of Nursing, has been appointed a founding member of the Forensic Nursing Consensus Body (CB) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board (ASB). Scafide and a dedicated team will collaborate to advance national forensic nursing standards.

“It is an honor to be a part of the first Forensic Nursing Consensus Body and to elevate the field of forensic nursing, fueled by the shared passion among my colleagues,” said Scafide.

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) is a multidisciplinary professional organization that advances science and its application to the legal system. Consensus Bodies focus on establishing forensic standards in specific disciplines. Each body is dedicated to the widespread formulation, adoption, and enforcement of recognized standards.

The Forensic Nursing Consensus Body will be responsible for developing, reviewing, and voting upon standards, guidelines, technical reports, and best practice recommendations in this discipline of forensic science.

Scafide’s revolutionary research in alternate light source and bruise detection is pioneering inclusivity, justice, and equity for domestic violence survivors of color. Her unique expertise stems from 20 years of experience in forensic nursing practice and research.

Congratulations Dr. Scafide!

Topics

Forensic Sciences Program

Intimate Partner Violence

gender-based violence

Faculty and Staff News

NBC News (video): Dr. Katherine Scafide comments on the disparity in detecting injuries in diverse populations and her study using new technology to spot signs of abuse

eander6 — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 15:17:08 +0000

NBC News (video): Dr. Katherine Scafide comments on the disparity in detecting injuries in diverse populations and her study using new technology to spot signs of abuse eander6 Mon, 08/15/2022 - 11:17

In This Story

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN

Bruises are harder to detect on people of color in abuse cases. New technology could change that.

Topics

College of Health and Human Services

College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing

NBC Nightly News: Angelina Jolie discusses Katherine Scafide’s alternate light source research

eander6 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:52:40 +0000

NBC Nightly News: Angelina Jolie discusses Katherine Scafide’s alternate light source research eander6 Thu, 03/24/2022 - 09:52

In This Story

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN

Angelina Jolie lauds passage of Violence Against Women Act, says "We need to do more."

Topics

College of Health and Human Services

College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing

Today Show: Angelina Jolie discusses Katherine Scafide’s alternate light source research.

eander6 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:46:49 +0000

Today Show: Angelina Jolie discusses Katherine Scafide’s alternate light source research. eander6 Thu, 03/24/2022 - 09:46

In This Story

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN

Angelina Jolie says Violence Against Women Act is "personal" for anyone who "cares about family."

Topics

College of Health and Human Services

College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing

Angelina Jolie Discusses Alternate Light Sources for Bruise Detection with Mason's Katherine Scafide

mthomp7 — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 00:52:45 +0000

Angelina Jolie Discusses Alternate Light Sources for Bruise Detection with Mason's Katherine Scafide mthomp7 Wed, 03/16/2022 - 20:52

Filmmaker and humanitarian Angelina Jolie met with Dr. Katherine Scafide, of Mason’s College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing, to discuss Scafide’s research on Alternate Light Sources (ALS). Dr. Scafide’s ALS technology helps identify hard-to-see bruising in darker skin tones, where it may be otherwise difficult or impossible to detect. Jolie referenced Dr. Scafide’s research in her work on reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Scafide’s ALS research was featured in Angelina Jolie's appearance on the NBC Nightly News, highlighting the role ALS can play in detecting bruising in darker-skinned individuals.

Jolie's interview can be found here, courtesy of NBC News.
More about Dr. Scafide's research can be found here.

Topics

Domestic Violence

Alternate Light Source

Bruise Visibility

CHHS News

Bruise Visibility

Determining quality in forensic injury imaging - ����AV secures NIH AIM-AHEAD funding to advance equity in AI-driven injury detection

In This Story

Topics

Setting standards of excellence for forensic nursing policy and practice

In This Story

Associate Professor in the School of Nursing Katherine Scafide appointed to the inaugural American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board Forensic Nursing Consensus Body.

Topics

NBC News (video): Dr. Katherine Scafide comments on the disparity in detecting injuries in diverse populations and her study using new technology to spot signs of abuse

In This Story

Topics

NBC Nightly News: Angelina Jolie discusses Katherine Scafide’s alternate light source research

In This Story

Topics

Today Show: Angelina Jolie discusses Katherine Scafide’s alternate light source research.

In This Story

Topics

Angelina Jolie Discusses Alternate Light Sources for Bruise Detection with Mason's Katherine Scafide

Topics

Determining quality in forensic injury imaging - ��AV secures NIH AIM-AHEAD funding to advance equity in AI-driven injury detection