Identification by Facial Reconstruction

Out of the great number of faces that have been formed since the creation of the world, no two faces are alike and each face is unique. The Human face is one of the most important social tools.

Human Facial reconstruction is an approach employs in the field of forensics, which is often used as a last resort to identify when a crime involves unidentified skeletal remains; it is a process of re-making the face of a person from the cranium.

The Forensic facial reconstruction technique paved the way to abase the degree of mistakes before confronted. The Forensic facial reconstruction of the facial characteristics of an individual onto the cranium requires both skills of the artistic and the scientific skills of the sculptor.

Facial reconstruction (FR) is a key procedure in the Forensics anthropologist instrumentation. It persists to perceive improvement in precision and eases the use of advanced technology. It often aids a pivotal role in approximating how an individual’s facial image resembled at the time of their living, in comparison with either osteal or highly decayed remnants, in contemplation of assistance in consummate the objective.

In particular it is effective in the instances where other patterns of identification are not feasible or viable.

The foremost and initial reconstruction of the face was brought out by a German scientist and anatomist “Wilhelm His” during the period of 1895. Dr. Wilhelm reproduced three-dimensional facial approximations from cranial remains. The average facial tissue thickness data was first given by Wilhelm, which later two scientists named Kollman and Buchly further supplemented information and bulked up the tables that are yet accustomed in almost all over the laboratories operating on facial reconstruction even till date.

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Mikhail Gerasimov was the first scientist who experimented on ancient-anthropomorphic reconstruction of the face to calculate approximately the facades of ancient human beings in the year 1964. One of the most popularized methods of reconstruction of face employs to the forensic field by Wilton M. Krogman. In the 1962 he wrote detailed method for approximation of facial reconstruction in his book. 3-D facial reconstruction further developed by three scientists namely Gatliff (1987 ), Angel (1974) and Cherry (1977), Andrew Nelson professor from the Western Ontario University who belongs to the Anthropology Department along with Christian corbet, a Canadian artist molded the initial forensic method for the facial reconstruction of a mummy which is formulated from CT scans and LASER scans of a 2200year old mummy. This reconstruction is referred as “Sulman Mummy project”.

2-dimensional facial reconstruction-(mannul and computerized methods): Karen T. Taylor of Austin who was the first person to create this method in 1980’s by using the data of soft tissue depth analysis which can reconstruct a face from the cranium. The forensic anthropologists and artist both are required for facial reconstruction. This method purely depends upon ante mortem snaps and the vertex (cranium) which is to be restructured. This 2-d technique helps in identification of the dead person from his skeletal remains.

Not only manual methods are used but also the popularized computer software’s like CARES (Computer Assisted Recovery Enhancement System) and FACES (Forensic Anthropology Computer Enhancement System) are employed. This computerized software’s gives fast 2D reconstruction which can be further manipulated and modified. This technique basically works on the principle of capturing and digital recording of the radiographic images, snapshots and other images of cranium by creating an electronically changed edition of an image.

Three-dimensional manual reconstruction: This technique requires both a forensic anthropologist and an artist. In manual process of reconstruction of face by make use of either clay or wax on the victim’s cranium directly or more frequently a model of cranium which ought to be recognized. It is equivalent to 2-D process. This method requires the markers of tissue depth to signify the precise length of distinct soft tissue depths. The marker pins are placed within tiny dents covering the cranium projects at definite vital marks. Computerized method is also used in 3-D construction with the help of software generates reconstruction by means of scrutinized and stock snaps.

Anthropometrical Tissue Depth Method or American Method: This method was created by Wilton M. Krogman in the year 1946. The data of Soft tissue depth is used for reconstructing face. It was usually utilized for restructuring by law enforcement forum. Sublime dimensions were acquired with the help of fine needles, X-Rays or ultrasound scan is used. The face muscles were noted in an accurate anatomy mode, it needs extremely skilled staff. That is why this technique is not an ideal method at present time.

Russian Anatomical Method: This procedure was created by a scientist named Gerasimov in the year 1971. In this process depth of soft tissue data is not required though facial muscles are considered in an anatomical point. Shaping of the muscles, glands and cartilage on top of the cranium layer by layer was restored. This technique is not so prevalent now a day. This process is much time taking process than the Anthropometrical American technique and a superior level of anatomy data is necessary. Restoration of relic skulls has attained by the technique.

Combination Manchester process or British technique: This technique is created by Dr. Neave in the year 1977. This technique is highly approved for facial reconstruction in the present day. Both the soft tissue width and face muscles were considered. When the skull and muzzle are articulated on cranium and is placed on a changeable rest in an Horizontal plane of Frankfort, markers are inserted onto the cranium, either by inserting them directly on the cranium on earlier drilled fissures on a transmit at the angle of 90 degree using a 3millimetre drilling fragment. Tissue depth at the anatomical tip was represented by every nail length. Age, sex is determined by facial tissue depth of the person. The contour and dimension of the different muscles were estimated on account of original hard tissues. The plastic artificial eyeballs of 2.5cm in diameter were positioned in the direction of trajectory of the cranium. The artificial eye balls were placed in the range in similar manner so that a departure in use as of the middle supra orbital boundary to the middle infra orbital limits touches the iris. The inner oculus were positioned 0.2cm tangential towards the lachrymal crest and the exterior cantus are positioned 0.4cm halfway towards the molar tubercle. Whenever the molar tubercles were missing, the exterior oculus was positioned 1 cm beneath the streak of frontal zygomatic (malar) suture and 0.5-0.7cm from the recurrent periphery .The highest girth of the nose muzzle is resolute by the skeletal nasal opening at the widest point as its 3/5th of gross thickness of the flexible nose.

Computerized 3D Forensic Facial Reconstruction: this type of reconstruction 3D technology, is rapid, accurate and cheap computerized method for forensic facial reconstruction .It was created by Taylor and Angel. In this technique, the artist uses 3D computerized sample instead of using manual clay replica method. The 3D animation software is also used in the method (Free Form Modeling Plus; Sensible Technologies of Wilmington) to replica the facade on top of the cranium even as other system which used virtual statistics system with Haptic feedback using Phantom Desktop & Haptic Device; Sensible Technology. Each key detail of the cranium like muscle attachment strength, position of eye of facial reconstruction is analyzed and provided by haptic feedback system. Both computer modeling skilled person and anthropologist are required in this type of facial reconstruction. In this process we can create multiple images of the same person rapidly and professionally.

Superimposition of the facial reconstruction: For forensic reconstruction of face, It is the most prevalent process. It’s not constantly included as a method because the 2D and 3D methods are frequently so the investigator uses this method very rare cases .in this process the investigator compare the suspected person photograph and unidentified skeleton body by superimposing both photo and x-ray. If both the x-ray and the photograph are matched with the missing person , then further anatomical facial appearance of that person face should had to align precisely.

There were number of difficulties and obstacles related in the reconstruction of face. The main problem comes through lack of depth of the tissue thickness of face. The information directed toward the artists of forensics is also incredibly narrow in sort of ages of the person and genders. This given gap really influences the exactness for the reconstruction of face, until and unless the given information is extended. One of the most common problems is the deficit in practical consistency in estimation of features of the face. One and only, approved method by the law in restructuring the countenance is to be accepted so far. The process is the key drawback for estimation because characteristics of face like the eyes and nose. It helps of Digital Image Processing (DIP) which guarantees to prevail over the current boundaries in reconstruction of face & association. We may know how the person looks like because the artist doesn’t know the subjectivity. The general shape of the person head and position of parts are made perfectly because it is highly determine on face only.

The USA supreme court declared that the expert witness testimony is admissible in court during the legal proceeding in year 1993 but the there should be a sufficient data and facts if it only derived from proper relevance of reliable principles and techniques . there is no same report of the same set of bones when so many artists produces the report so that the did not appoved the method because no recognized techniques of positive identification .but the reconstruction only created to support procedure of a affirmative credentials in union by means of confirmed techniques.

In conclusion, facial reconstruction method is a main means in the identification of human relics for both authorized and humanitarian reasons. It is a fast, non-persistent & well-organized technique wherever the restoration is to repetitive at several instances when necessary. By the stated process we can identify an individual from his bone relics. This method is accustomed in archaeological scrutiny reasons. Visual credentials from the person’s relations and relatives hence turn into effortless and extra précised. In support of the traditional physical method, different techniques were employed for facial reconstruction but the Combination of Manchester technique was frequently used method for accurate result intended for the constructive recognition of a being. The physical techniques are work concentrated. The mechanized forensic reconstruction of a face is able to take off the labor-intensive technique of reconstruction of a face. Mechanized remodel of lost human being is besides considerably simpler while matched up to the physical technique and as well minimize practitioner’s guidance. The Facial reconstruction is not admissible everywhere until and unless with sufficient data and facts.