Informed Consent In Facial Photograph Publishing: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study To Determine The Effectiveness Of Deidentification Methods



Preston, Frank G ORCID: 0000-0002-3953-331X, Meng, Yanda ORCID: 0000-0001-7344-2174, Zheng, Yalin ORCID: 0000-0002-7873-0922, Hsuan, James, Hamill, Kevin J ORCID: 0000-0002-7852-1944 and McCormick, Austin G
(2022) Informed Consent In Facial Photograph Publishing: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study To Determine The Effectiveness Of Deidentification Methods. JOURNAL OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS, 17 (3). pp. 373-381.

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Abstract

This study determined the effectiveness of three deidentification methods: use of a) a black box to obscure facial landmarks, b) a letterbox view to display restricted facial landmarks and c) a half letterbox view. Facial images of well-known celebrities were used to create a series of decreasingly deidentified images and displayed to participants in a structured interview session. 55.5% were recognised when all facial features were covered using a black box, leaving only the hair and neck exposed. The letterbox view proved more effective, reaching over 50% recognition only once the periorbital region, eyebrows, and forehead were visible. The half letterbox was the most effective, requiring the nose to be revealed before recognition reached over 50%, and should be the option of choice where appropriate. These findings provide valuable information for informed consent discussions, and we recommend consent to publish forms should stipulate the deidentification method that will be used.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: deidentification methods, facial photographs, publishing ethics, patient confidentiality, patient anonymity
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 16 Feb 2022 11:54
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 21:14
DOI: 10.1177/15562646221075459
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/15562646221075459
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3147766