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Biomodeling Theme
FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY: FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION
Utilization of Computerized Tomography
Historical Development:
The goal is to utilize the process of reconstructing the face onto
a skull. Forensic facial reconstruction is the scientific art of visualizing
a face on the skull for personal identification. Forensic anthropological
examination is to establish the origin of unknown skeletal materials.
The skull in particular, provides valuable information in evaluating
the physical characteristics of an individual. In general, the personal
identification of an unknown skull has been achieved by comparing the
skull with ante-mortem facial photos, medical radiographs and dental
records of the corresponding person. On the other hand, facial reconstruction
has been widely accepted as a useful approach for personal identification
when all of the processes mentioned above are not applicable or have
been unsuccessful in establishing positive identification. In regard
to the historical terminology of the technique use for creating a human
face to a human skull has a number of terms applied to such as Facial
reconstruction. A) Facial reproduction, B) Facial restoration, C) Facial
sculpture and D) Facial approximation are used in related textbooks
and literature (Jihad Muhammad Pice).
The term reconstruction is considered as preferable to other synonyms.
The term reproduction implies a perfect replication. The term restoration
more aptly applies to soft tissue repairs on damaged, but still intact
remains. Facial approximation is perhaps a better description of the
procedure but this term is not in general use. Other forensic scientists,
M.Y. Iscan, W.A. Aulsebrook and J.H. Slabbert have recommended the use
of facial reconstruction as a more correct expression. Many forensic
scientists have recommended the use of the term forensic facial reproduction.
It is not used for other purposes in forensic science, and is most precise.
In the process of reconstructing the face onto a skull, several distinct
techniques are acceptable for a practical procedure - three-dimensional
clay technique, two-dimension drawing technique and modified two/three
dimensional technique based on a computer-system. Of these techniques,
three-dimensional facial reconstruction in clay is the oldest and the
most popular method.
In the early states of facial reconstruction, it was mainly used to
corroborate the authenticity of skulls purported to be those of famous
persons, or to evaluate the accuracy of historic portraits such as,
Kant, Raphael and Schiller, all made by Welcker. The three-dimensional
technique has also been used to life to ancient people in the field
of archaeology. This sort of facial reconstruction has been applied
to illustrating historic and archaeological authenticity with some degree
of certainty, but the technique was rather used for purposes of arousing
the historic interests of people. The true value of facial reconstruction
is evident in the field of forensic science. The forensic anthropologists
involved have honorable purposes of both establishing the personal origin
of a skeletonized victim and relieving the victim=s family from mental
anguish and sorrow.
For many years the three-dimensional clay-plaster cast technique contributed
to the identification of skeletal remains in Japan . In 1988, The National
Research Institute of Police Sciences (NRIPS) introduced the two-dimensional
anatomical drawing method of skull photographs a practical method. Of
the many achievements that contributed considerably to the success of
forensic facial reconstruction, the study made by Gatliff and Snow is
the most significant. The three-dimensional technique popularized by
Gatliff, is still used successfully by various forensic artists. To
perform this scientific technique, the focus is on anatomical foundations
and methodological aspects, and their validity in forensic facial reconstruction.
ANATOMICAL RELATIONSHIPS
Between Face And Skull
The technique of facial reconstruction, whatever its purpose or whatever
its approach, is regarded as a skillful combination of statistical information,
physical anthropological knowledge and reconstructive artistry. Of these
key problems, the statistics of the depth of the soft tissues present
on the skull features and anatomical knowledge of the positional relationships
between skull and facial features are the most important scientific
data for achieving acceptable results in forensic facial reconstruction.
The practitioners must be versed in the positional relations between
facial details and skull morphology for achieving a precise reconstruction,
utilizing the measurement data in soft tissue thickness.
ASRI is now trying some novel techniques focusing on anatomical knowledge,
historical facts, and the methodological aspects and their utility in
forensic facial reconstruction. Some trial projects are presented in
the photos section.
Biomodeling ThemeFACIAL RECONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY: FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION
Utilization of Computerized Tomography
Historical Development:
The goal is to utilize the process of reconstructing the face onto a skull. Forensic facial reconstruction is the scientific art of visualizing a face on the skull for personal identification. Forensic anthropological examination is to establish the origin of unknown skeletal materials. The skull in particular, provides valuable information in evaluating the physical characteristics of an individual. In general, the personal identification of an unknown skull has been achieved by comparing the skull with ante-mortem facial photos, medical radiographs and dental records of the corresponding person. On the other hand, facial reconstruction has been widely accepted as a useful approach for personal identification when all of the processes mentioned above are not applicable or have been unsuccessful in establishing positive identification. In regard to the historical terminology of the technique use for creating a human face to a human skull has a number of terms applied to such as Facial reconstruction. A) Facial reproduction, B) Facial restoration, C) Facial sculpture and D) Facial approximation are used in related textbooks and literature (Jihad Muhammad Pice).
The term reconstruction is considered as preferable to other synonyms. The term reproduction implies a perfect replication. The term restoration more aptly applies to soft tissue repairs on damaged, but still intact remains. Facial approximation is perhaps a better description of the procedure but this term is not in general use. Other forensic scientists, M.Y. Iscan, W.A. Aulsebrook and J.H. Slabbert have recommended the use of facial reconstruction as a more correct expression. Many forensic scientists have recommended the use of the term forensic facial reproduction. It is not used for other purposes in forensic science, and is most precise.
In the process of reconstructing the face onto a skull, several distinct techniques are acceptable for a practical procedure - three-dimensional clay technique, two-dimension drawing technique and modified two/three dimensional technique based on a computer-system. Of these techniques, three-dimensional facial reconstruction in clay is the oldest and the most popular method.
In the early states of facial reconstruction, it was mainly used to corroborate the authenticity of skulls purported to be those of famous persons, or to evaluate the accuracy of historic portraits such as, Kant, Raphael and Schiller, all made by Welcker. The three-dimensional technique has also been used to life to ancient people in the field of archaeology. This sort of facial reconstruction has been applied to illustrating historic and archaeological authenticity with some degree of certainty, but the technique was rather used for purposes of arousing the historic interests of people. The true value of facial reconstruction is evident in the field of forensic science. The forensic anthropologists involved have honorable purposes of both establishing the personal origin of a skeletonized victim and relieving the victim=s family from mental anguish and sorrow.
For many years the three-dimensional clay-plaster cast technique contributed to the identification of skeletal remains in Japan . In 1988, The National Research Institute of Police Sciences (NRIPS) introduced the two-dimensional anatomical drawing method of skull photographs a practical method. Of the many achievements that contributed considerably to the success of forensic facial reconstruction, the study made by Gatliff and Snow is the most significant. The three-dimensional technique popularized by Gatliff, is still used successfully by various forensic artists. To perform this scientific technique, the focus is on anatomical foundations and methodological aspects, and their validity in forensic facial reconstruction.
ANATOMICAL RELATIONSHIPS
Between Face And Skull
The technique of facial reconstruction, whatever its purpose or whatever its approach, is regarded as a skillful combination of statistical information, physical anthropological knowledge and reconstructive artistry. Of these key problems, the statistics of the depth of the soft tissues present on the skull features and anatomical knowledge of the positional relationships between skull and facial features are the most important scientific data for achieving acceptable results in forensic facial reconstruction. The practitioners must be versed in the positional relations between facial details and skull morphology for achieving a precise reconstruction, utilizing the measurement data in soft tissue thickness.
ASRI is now trying some novel techniques focusing on anatomical knowledge, historical facts, and the methodological aspects and their utility in forensic facial reconstruction. Some trial projects are presented in the photos section.
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