Introduction
When only a skeleton remains, is there any hope in identification? Due to the continuing advancements in technology, the answer to that question is, yes! Facial reconstruction is not a new avenue of identification, but is continually adapting to be more useful in the forensic community. The documentary, The Mad Trapper tells the story of a Canadian mystery where an unidentified criminal is exhumed in attempts to attain an actual identification using new forensic techniques. This essay will provide an explanation of basis of facial reconstruction, outlining the major categories of reconstruction and the technologies used to aid in the process. A critique of facial reconstruction will then be provided. The effectiveness and accuracy …show more content…
& Michael, S.D., 1998). To provide a brief history of facial reconstruction, some key milestones must be outlined. Wilheim was the first to attempt to reconstruct a human face by using reference points of facial tissues depths he gathered from examining cadavers (Nelson, L.A. & Michael, S.D., 1998). This use of soft tissue depths as a measure to base the characteristics of a facial dimensions is still practiced in ongoing facial reconstruction techniques (Hwang, H.S., Kim, K., Moon, D.N., Kim, J.H., & Wilkinson, C., 2012). Wilheim was the first to attempt construction of a three-dimensional sculpture from the basis of skeletal remains, he attempted to recreate the face of the legendary composer Bach (Wilkinson, C. et al., 2006). Kollmann and Buchly were next to contribute to the knowledge, by using facial tissue depths they were the first to attempt the recreation of a face using a pre-historic skull (Wilkinson, C. et al., 2006). Measurements of skull characteristics, soft facial tissue depth measures, and other features that are beneficial in facial reconstruction practices (eyebrow references, nasal cavity references etc.) have been repeatedly measured and results have been collected to provide a few reference databases for reconstruction purposes (Nelson, L.A. & Michael, S.D., 1998). Other studies have taken the referencing abilities further by conducting research to provide …show more content…
& Vandermeulen, D., 2006). Advances in technology have allowed for better, less invasive modes of measurements, and there are three main ways to examine tissue thickness in a noninvasive manner (Hwang, H.S. et al., 2012). Each of the following methods have associated advantages and drawbacks which will be outlined later in the paper. A computed tomography (CT) scan is one avenue for evaluation of tissue depth and other cranial characteristics. CT scans are helpful in identifying soft and hard cranial tissue (Nelson, L.A. & Michael, S.D., 1998). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also beneficial in the imaging of soft and hard tissues, though not as clear as CT scans (Nelson, L.A. & Michael, S.D., 1998). Ultrasounds have also become useful in large-scale inquiries of soft tissue thickness (Hwang, H.S. et al., 2012). Other methods have been employed to aid in facial reconstruction techniques, including x-rays and multi-slice imaging (Hwang, H.S. et al., 2012). Using these forms of analysis, we are able to start creating valid reconstructions using estimated characteristics, in one of the three main methods of facial
When only a skeleton remains, is there any hope in identification? Due to the continuing advancements in technology, the answer to that question is, yes! Facial reconstruction is not a new avenue of identification, but is continually adapting to be more useful in the forensic community. The documentary, The Mad Trapper tells the story of a Canadian mystery where an unidentified criminal is exhumed in attempts to attain an actual identification using new forensic techniques. This essay will provide an explanation of basis of facial reconstruction, outlining the major categories of reconstruction and the technologies used to aid in the process. A critique of facial reconstruction will then be provided. The effectiveness and accuracy …show more content…
& Michael, S.D., 1998). To provide a brief history of facial reconstruction, some key milestones must be outlined. Wilheim was the first to attempt to reconstruct a human face by using reference points of facial tissues depths he gathered from examining cadavers (Nelson, L.A. & Michael, S.D., 1998). This use of soft tissue depths as a measure to base the characteristics of a facial dimensions is still practiced in ongoing facial reconstruction techniques (Hwang, H.S., Kim, K., Moon, D.N., Kim, J.H., & Wilkinson, C., 2012). Wilheim was the first to attempt construction of a three-dimensional sculpture from the basis of skeletal remains, he attempted to recreate the face of the legendary composer Bach (Wilkinson, C. et al., 2006). Kollmann and Buchly were next to contribute to the knowledge, by using facial tissue depths they were the first to attempt the recreation of a face using a pre-historic skull (Wilkinson, C. et al., 2006). Measurements of skull characteristics, soft facial tissue depth measures, and other features that are beneficial in facial reconstruction practices (eyebrow references, nasal cavity references etc.) have been repeatedly measured and results have been collected to provide a few reference databases for reconstruction purposes (Nelson, L.A. & Michael, S.D., 1998). Other studies have taken the referencing abilities further by conducting research to provide …show more content…
& Vandermeulen, D., 2006). Advances in technology have allowed for better, less invasive modes of measurements, and there are three main ways to examine tissue thickness in a noninvasive manner (Hwang, H.S. et al., 2012). Each of the following methods have associated advantages and drawbacks which will be outlined later in the paper. A computed tomography (CT) scan is one avenue for evaluation of tissue depth and other cranial characteristics. CT scans are helpful in identifying soft and hard cranial tissue (Nelson, L.A. & Michael, S.D., 1998). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also beneficial in the imaging of soft and hard tissues, though not as clear as CT scans (Nelson, L.A. & Michael, S.D., 1998). Ultrasounds have also become useful in large-scale inquiries of soft tissue thickness (Hwang, H.S. et al., 2012). Other methods have been employed to aid in facial reconstruction techniques, including x-rays and multi-slice imaging (Hwang, H.S. et al., 2012). Using these forms of analysis, we are able to start creating valid reconstructions using estimated characteristics, in one of the three main methods of facial