Anthropological Studies


3-Dimensional Forensic Facial Reconstruction Techniques: Traditional and Current Developments (A Review of the Comparison Study)

Article Number: MWG117721 Volume 05 | Issue 02 | October- 2022 ISSN: 2581-4966
28th Jan, 2022
02nd Mar, 2022
04th Aug, 2022
29th Oct, 2022

Authors

Aparna Thamby, Ashi Yadav

Abstract

A frequently used technique in forensic human identification is facial approximation. Facial reconstruction in forensics attempts to recreate the deceased's facial features using the skull beneath to identify and recognize the person. When the standard procedures of investigation are unsuccessful when confronted with a severely decomposed, disfigured, or skeletonized person, facial reconstruction might be employed as a best technique to identify the unknown skeletal remains. The three-dimensional component of facial approximation is the main topic of this review article, which also provides an overview of conventional and automated current development methods. The face is typically sculpted using a traditional approach that can be subjective and time-consuming: physically modelling clay onto a replica of a skull. Researchers may now generate virtual computed models of anatomical structures via three-dimensional (3D) imaging technologies, which enable them to go beyond the use of traditional clay models. As a result of recent technological advancements, better, quicker and more adaptable computer-based procedures are being developed. Nevertheless, the different techniques used in the facial reconstruction and the comaprison study of both traditional and current developments have also been summarized. Keywords: Forensic facial reconstruction, Forensic, Forensic Anthropology, Technology, Current development, Traditional, Three dimensional imaging

Introduction

Forensic facial reconstruction (FFR) is an attempt to reproduce a likeness of the facial features of an individual, based on the characteristics of the skull, for the purpose of individual identification. FFR is often conducted by a three-dimensional building up of the face, on a skull or a cast thereof, with artistic clay. Standard soft tissue thickness (STT) values and other anatomy-based guidelines are employed for this purpose. The interaction between the soft tissues covering the skull and the underlying bone structures is crucial for creating a face from the skull. STT values are frequently used to estimate how much or how deeply tissues cover specific specified landmarks on the skull. This facilitates face reconstruction by providing a starting point for establishing the original face shape during the initial phases of the reconstruction process (Cavanagh and Steyn, 2011).

There are two basic approaches in forensic facial approximation; which are two dimensional and three dimensional. Either a manual or a digital method is used in both techniques. The very first Research work on face repair started late in the 19th century, using different measurements of the cadaver facial thickness .Then came the emergence of other notable approaches for manual rebuilding in three dimensions includes the Russian Anatomical, Anthropometrical Methods (American) and (Manchester) in Combination. Reconstruction is considered as successful if the identification made was based on the models and images. In addition to using traditional clay models, facial approximation professionals can now produce virtual computed representations of anatomical features that is in the form of three-dimensional (3D) imaging and computer modelling (Decker et al., 2013).

The method used by Russian anthropologist Mikhail Mikhaylovich Gerasimov in 1920 involved meticulously reconstructing soft tissues from osteological anatomy. Americans Betty Pat Gatliff and Clyde Snow developed a technique to shape the face using tissue depth markers in the late 1960s. Richard Neave and John Prag, from the United Kingdom, combined anatomical reconstructions of the major facial structures with tissue depth data to approximate the facial wireframe in the early 1970s.

These procedures, which came to be known as the Russian, American, and British methodologies, were used in a variety of forensic and historical instances (Moraes et al., 2014).

This review article which mainly focuses on the three dimensional aspects forensic facial reconstruction and the conventional and current computerized methods and its comparison.

References

Cavanagh, D., and M. Steyn. “Facial Reconstruction: Soft Tissue Thickness Values for South African Black Females.” Forensic Science International, vol. 206, no. 1–3, Elsevier BV, Mar. 2011, p. 215.e1-215.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.01.009.

Claes, Peter, et al. “Computerized Craniofacial Reconstruction: Conceptual Framework and Review.” Forensic Science International, vol. 201, no. 1-3, 2010, pp. 138–145., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.03.008.

Decker, Summer, et al. “Who Is This Person? A Comparison Study of Current Three-dimensional Facial Approximation Methods.” Forensic Science International, vol. 229, no. 1–3, Elsevier BV, June 2013, p. 161.e1-161.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.03.028. “Chip-off Technique.” iLearnCANA, Accessed on 01 March 2022, Accessed from www.ilearncana.com/details/Chip-off-technique/2208.

Domaracki, Monica, and Carl N. Stephan. “Facial Soft Tissue Thicknesses in Australian Adult Cadavers*.” Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 51, no. 1, 2006, pp. 5–10., https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2005.00009.x.

Moraes, Cícero André, et al. “Demonstration of Protocol for Computer-Aided Forensic Facial Reconstruction with Free Software and Photogrammetry.” Journal of Research in Dentistry, vol. 2, no. 1, 2014, p. 77., https://doi.org/10.19177/jrd.v2e1201477-90.

Sharma, Arpita. “3D Forensic Facial Reconstruction: A Review of the Traditional Sculpting Methods and Recent Computerised Developments.” International Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, 2018, https://doi.org/10.23880/ijfsc-16000134.

Wilkinson, C. “Facial Reconstruction - Anatomical Art or Artistic Anatomy?” Journal of Anatomy, vol. 216, no. 2, Wiley, Feb. 2010, pp. 235–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01182.x.

How to cite this article?

APA StyleThamby, Aparna, and Ashi Yadav. “3-Dimensional Forensic Facial Reconstruction Techniques: Traditional and Current Developments (a Review of the Comparison Study).” Academic Journal of Anthropological Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, Oct. 2022, pp. 10–14.
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