Approximating the facial features for forensic facial approximation is challenging, especially the nose. Numerous methods have been published to position the tip of the nose in profile with variable results. Gerasimov’s two-tangent method is the most commonly used. However, a recent article published by Ullrich and Stephan (2011) states that the method was not properly performed and provides new guidelines. This research used a sample of CT scans from a Denmark population (N=66) to determined which of Gerasimov’s literal translation or Ullrich and Stephan’s (2011) new version of the two-tangent method is the most accurate. A combination of the two methods was also evaluated to determine the effect of each tangent independently, and the effect of intraobserver error. It was determine that the new guidelines result in smaller mean difference but no method can accurately position the tip of the nose due to the lack of experience from the practitioner.

Approximating the facial features for forensic facial approximation is challenging, especially the nose. Numerous methods have been published to position the tip of the nose in profile with variable results. Gerasimov’s two-tangent method is the most commonly used. However, a recent article published by Ullrich and Stephan (2011) states that the method was not properly performed and provides new guidelines. This research used a sample of CT scans from a Denmark population (N=66) to determined which of Gerasimov’s literal translation or Ullrich and Stephan’s (2011) new version of the two-tangent method is the most accurate. A combination of the two methods was also evaluated to determine the effect of each tangent independently, and the effect of intraobserver error. It was determine that the new guidelines result in smaller mean difference but no method can accurately position the tip of the nose due to the lack of experience from the practitioner.

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Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, por meio de comparação com fotografias ante-mortem, a acuracidade da reconstrução facial forense manual e computadorizada de brasileiros adultos utilizando-se o método de Manchester. Foram reconstruídos os rostos a partir de 08 crânios, 04 femininos e 04 masculinos que foram exumados no Cemitério Municipal Necrópole do Campo Santo-Guarulhos/São Paulo. Esse estudo se justificou para possibilitar a utilização do método de Manchester considerando-se as profundidades de tecidos moles estabelecidas para brasileiros. Oito réplicas de gesso para a reconstrução manual, e oito modelos virtuais em 3D, obtidos por meio de tomografia para a computadorizada foram levados para o Centro de Anatomia e Identificação Humana da Universidade de Dundee/Escócia/Reino Unido. Utilizou-se argila para a manual e a tecnologia Sensable por meio do programa de computador FreeForm Modelling Plus, e do dispositivo tátil Phantom Haptic Desktop para a computadorizada. Avaliou-se a acuracidade das 16 reconstruções resultantes por meio de dois métodos: fotografias das reconstruções produzidas foram mostradas para 100 voluntários, que foram convidados a escolher o sujeito da fotografia em vivo quando incluído com outros cinco sujeitos aleatoriamente selecionados; e por meio de teste de semelhança, que comparou a fotografia da reconstrução com a do sujeito alvo lado a lado, o que foi feito também com dois sujeitos controle. Embora em ambos os testes os sujeitos alvo tiveram o melhor desempenho no número de acertos e no grau de semelhança, as reconstruções manuais obtiveram um melhor desempenho e o maior nível de acerto foi de 90% em um caso no teste de reconhecimento, enquanto na computadorizada foi de 81%. Este estudo demonstrou que o método de manchester em brasileiros, assim como o FreeForm Modelling Plus são ferramentas úteis e adequadas para o uso em reconstrução facial com níveis de sucesso muito significativos. / The aim of this study was to evaluate, by comparison with antemortem photographs, the accuracy of manual and computerized forensic facial reconstruction of adult Brazilians using the Manchester method. The faces were reconstructed from 08 skulls, 04 female and 04 male that were exhumed at the Municipal Cemitery Necropolis of Campo Santo-Guarulhos/Sao Paulo. This study is justified to allow the use of the Manchester method considering the soft tissue depths from Brazilian people. Eight plaster replicas made for manual reconstructions and eight 3D virtual models, obtained by tomography for computerized were taken to the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee/Scotland/UK. Clay was used for the manual and the SensAble technology through the FreeForm Modeling Plus software and the tactil device Phantom Haptic Desktop for the computerized. The accuracy of 16 reconstructions resulting was evaluated by two methods: images of the reconstructions were produced and shown to 100 volunteers who were asked to choose the subject of photography in vivo when included with other five subjects randomly selected; and by the resemblance test, comparing the photograph of the reconstruction with the subject\'s target side by side, which was also done with two control subjects. Although in both tests the 08 subjects achieved the best results in the number of correct answers and in the degree of resemblance, the manual reconstruction achieved a better performance and the higher level of accuracy in one case was 90% in recognition test, while the computerized was 81%. This study showed that the Manchester method in Brazilians, as well as the FreeForm Modeling Plus are usefull and adequate tools for use in facial reconstruction with very significant levels of success.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, por meio de comparação com fotografias ante-mortem, a acuracidade da reconstrução facial forense manual e computadorizada de brasileiros adultos utilizando-se o método de Manchester. Foram reconstruídos os rostos a partir de 08 crânios, 04 femininos e 04 masculinos que foram exumados no Cemitério Municipal Necrópole do Campo Santo-Guarulhos/São Paulo. Esse estudo se justificou para possibilitar a utilização do método de Manchester considerando-se as profundidades de tecidos moles estabelecidas para brasileiros. Oito réplicas de gesso para a reconstrução manual, e oito modelos virtuais em 3D, obtidos por meio de tomografia para a computadorizada foram levados para o Centro de Anatomia e Identificação Humana da Universidade de Dundee/Escócia/Reino Unido. Utilizou-se argila para a manual e a tecnologia Sensable por meio do programa de computador FreeForm Modelling Plus, e do dispositivo tátil Phantom Haptic Desktop para a computadorizada. Avaliou-se a acuracidade das 16 reconstruções resultantes por meio de dois métodos: fotografias das reconstruções produzidas foram mostradas para 100 voluntários, que foram convidados a escolher o sujeito da fotografia em vivo quando incluído com outros cinco sujeitos aleatoriamente selecionados; e por meio de teste de semelhança, que comparou a fotografia da reconstrução com a do sujeito alvo lado a lado, o que foi feito também com dois sujeitos controle. Embora em ambos os testes os sujeitos alvo tiveram o melhor desempenho no número de acertos e no grau de semelhança, as reconstruções manuais obtiveram um melhor desempenho e o maior nível de acerto foi de 90% em um caso no teste de reconhecimento, enquanto na computadorizada foi de 81%. Este estudo demonstrou que o método de manchester em brasileiros, assim como o FreeForm Modelling Plus são ferramentas úteis e adequadas para o uso em reconstrução facial com níveis de sucesso muito significativos. / The aim of this study was to evaluate, by comparison with antemortem photographs, the accuracy of manual and computerized forensic facial reconstruction of adult Brazilians using the Manchester method. The faces were reconstructed from 08 skulls, 04 female and 04 male that were exhumed at the Municipal Cemitery Necropolis of Campo Santo-Guarulhos/Sao Paulo. This study is justified to allow the use of the Manchester method considering the soft tissue depths from Brazilian people. Eight plaster replicas made for manual reconstructions and eight 3D virtual models, obtained by tomography for computerized were taken to the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee/Scotland/UK. Clay was used for the manual and the SensAble technology through the FreeForm Modeling Plus software and the tactil device Phantom Haptic Desktop for the computerized. The accuracy of 16 reconstructions resulting was evaluated by two methods: images of the reconstructions were produced and shown to 100 volunteers who were asked to choose the subject of photography in vivo when included with other five subjects randomly selected; and by the resemblance test, comparing the photograph of the reconstruction with the subject\'s target side by side, which was also done with two control subjects. Although in both tests the 08 subjects achieved the best results in the number of correct answers and in the degree of resemblance, the manual reconstruction achieved a better performance and the higher level of accuracy in one case was 90% in recognition test, while the computerized was 81%. This study showed that the Manchester method in Brazilians, as well as the FreeForm Modeling Plus are usefull and adequate tools for use in facial reconstruction with very significant levels of success.

<p>Despite the introduction of DNA-analysis for identification of human remains (1997-2000) several cases exist where the deceased remain unidentified. Approximately ten percent of unknown deceased persons can not be identified by dental status or other present methods. During the year 2003 alone, seven individuals, in Sweden, remain unidentified. </p><p>Increase in travel in Europe will lead to more discoveries of foreign human remains in Sweden. In these cases, dental and medical records are often unavailable for the identification process. When reconstructing a face from a skull, a technique with so called landmarks is used. These landmarks define the distance between the skull and the skin. </p><p>Today the reconstruction is performed by a forensic artist applying modelling clay to a cast of the skull according to the placement of the landmarks. This method is considered unethical since it involves manipulation of the skull. Another drawback with this method is that it is very time consuming and changes and modifications of the model are hard to do. </p><p>This thesis presents the possibilities of digitally, in 3D, reconstructing deceased persons'faces based on computed tomography of skulls. This is done by presenting our PC based 3D modelling tool that we have implemented in Discreet 3ds max. By developing and testing our software we have shown that digital 3D facial reconstruction can be performed by acquiring data from CT and performing the reconstruction process in 3ds max withhelp from our software.</p>

Despite the introduction of DNA-analysis for identification of human remains (1997-2000) several cases exist where the deceased remain unidentified. Approximately ten percent of unknown deceased persons can not be identified by dental status or other present methods. During the year 2003 alone, seven individuals, in Sweden, remain unidentified. Increase in travel in Europe will lead to more discoveries of foreign human remains in Sweden. In these cases, dental and medical records are often unavailable for the identification process. When reconstructing a face from a skull, a technique with so called landmarks is used. These landmarks define the distance between the skull and the skin. Today the reconstruction is performed by a forensic artist applying modelling clay to a cast of the skull according to the placement of the landmarks. This method is considered unethical since it involves manipulation of the skull. Another drawback with this method is that it is very time consuming and changes and modifications of the model are hard to do. This thesis presents the possibilities of digitally, in 3D, reconstructing deceased persons'faces based on computed tomography of skulls. This is done by presenting our PC based 3D modelling tool that we have implemented in Discreet 3ds max. By developing and testing our software we have shown that digital 3D facial reconstruction can be performed by acquiring data from CT and performing the reconstruction process in 3ds max withhelp from our software.

A aproximação fisionômica é o método que busca, a partir do crânio, simular a fotografia de um indivíduo quando em vida. Deve ser empregada como último recurso, na busca de desaparecidos, quando não houver possibilidade de aplicação de um método válido de identificação. O objetivo deste estudo foi obter a aproximação fisionômica, a partir de um crânio seco e de tomografia computadorizada multislice de indivíduos vivos, através da função de base radial hermitiana (FBRH). Constituiu-se também em avaliar o resultado da mesma quanto ao reconhecimento. Na primeira etapa do estudo, foi utilizada a imagem escaneada de um crânio seco, de origem desconhecida, com o intuito de avaliar se a quantidade de pontos obtidos seria suficiente para aplicação da FBRH e consequente reconstrução da superfície facial. Na segunda fase, foram utilizadas três tomografias de indivíduos vivos, para análise da semelhança alcançada entre a face escaneada e as aproximações faciais. Nesta etapa, foi aplicada uma associação de diferentes metodologias já publicadas, para reconstrução de uma mesma região da face, a partir de um mesmo crânio. Na última etapa, foram simuladas situações de reconhecimento com familiares e amigos dos indivíduos doadores das tomografias. Observou-se que a metodologia de FBRH pode ser empregada em aproximação fisionômica. Houve reconhecimento positivo nos três sujeitos estudados, sendo que, em dois deles, os resultados foram ainda mais significativos. Desta forma, conclui-se que a metodologia é rápida, objetiva e proporciona o reconhecimento. Esta permite a criação de múltiplas versões de aproximações fisionômicas a partir do mesmo crânio, o que amplia as possibilidades de reconhecimento. Observou-se ainda que a técnica não exige habilidade artística do profissional. / Facial approximation works by building the visual face up from the skull. This method should be performed as last resort, to carry out for missing persons, when there is no other primary identification method avaliable. The purpose of this study was to introduce a new computerized method with hermite radial basis function (HRBF) for facial approximation using dry skull and computed tomography (CT). The same was also evaluated as a result of the recognition. Firstly, a scan of a dry unidentified skull image was used in order to assess if the amount of points would be sufficient for HRBF methodology and subsequent reconstruction of the facial surface. In second, three CT scans of living individuals were used to evaluate the similarity achieved between the real face scanned and facial approximations. An association of different facial structures reconstruction techniques already published for the same region of the face was applied for the same skull. Moreover, some situations from developed facial approximations were simulated, as recognition by a relative or parent, on a face pool-test. Results from the study showed that the purposed methodology can be used for facial approximation. At the three cases a correct approximation identification as one of a few possible matches to the missing person happened. In two of them, the results were consistently better at identifying the correct approximation. In conclusion, the proposed methodology is fast, objective and reaches visual identification. It is possible to perform multiple versions of the same skull, changing the selected data into the system, which maximizes the chances of establishing recognition of the target face. It was also observed that the technique does not need artistic interpretation.

A aproximação fisionômica é o método que busca, a partir do crânio, simular a fotografia de um indivíduo quando em vida. Deve ser empregada como último recurso, na busca de desaparecidos, quando não houver possibilidade de aplicação de um método válido de identificação. O objetivo deste estudo foi obter a aproximação fisionômica, a partir de um crânio seco e de tomografia computadorizada multislice de indivíduos vivos, através da função de base radial hermitiana (FBRH). Constituiu-se também em avaliar o resultado da mesma quanto ao reconhecimento. Na primeira etapa do estudo, foi utilizada a imagem escaneada de um crânio seco, de origem desconhecida, com o intuito de avaliar se a quantidade de pontos obtidos seria suficiente para aplicação da FBRH e consequente reconstrução da superfície facial. Na segunda fase, foram utilizadas três tomografias de indivíduos vivos, para análise da semelhança alcançada entre a face escaneada e as aproximações faciais. Nesta etapa, foi aplicada uma associação de diferentes metodologias já publicadas, para reconstrução de uma mesma região da face, a partir de um mesmo crânio. Na última etapa, foram simuladas situações de reconhecimento com familiares e amigos dos indivíduos doadores das tomografias. Observou-se que a metodologia de FBRH pode ser empregada em aproximação fisionômica. Houve reconhecimento positivo nos três sujeitos estudados, sendo que, em dois deles, os resultados foram ainda mais significativos. Desta forma, conclui-se que a metodologia é rápida, objetiva e proporciona o reconhecimento. Esta permite a criação de múltiplas versões de aproximações fisionômicas a partir do mesmo crânio, o que amplia as possibilidades de reconhecimento. Observou-se ainda que a técnica não exige habilidade artística do profissional. / Facial approximation works by building the visual face up from the skull. This method should be performed as last resort, to carry out for missing persons, when there is no other primary identification method avaliable. The purpose of this study was to introduce a new computerized method with hermite radial basis function (HRBF) for facial approximation using dry skull and computed tomography (CT). The same was also evaluated as a result of the recognition. Firstly, a scan of a dry unidentified skull image was used in order to assess if the amount of points would be sufficient for HRBF methodology and subsequent reconstruction of the facial surface. In second, three CT scans of living individuals were used to evaluate the similarity achieved between the real face scanned and facial approximations. An association of different facial structures reconstruction techniques already published for the same region of the face was applied for the same skull. Moreover, some situations from developed facial approximations were simulated, as recognition by a relative or parent, on a face pool-test. Results from the study showed that the purposed methodology can be used for facial approximation. At the three cases a correct approximation identification as one of a few possible matches to the missing person happened. In two of them, the results were consistently better at identifying the correct approximation. In conclusion, the proposed methodology is fast, objective and reaches visual identification. It is possible to perform multiple versions of the same skull, changing the selected data into the system, which maximizes the chances of establishing recognition of the target face. It was also observed that the technique does not need artistic interpretation.

This doctoral thesis is submitted in the form of scientific publications together with theoretical introduction. The present state of knowledge of facial approximation methods is presented in the introduction. Areas of application, principles of the method and classification of the methods according to medium used are briefly described. Accuracy and limits of the method are further described as they form a base of the research of this thesis. Simultaneous existence of multiple prediction guidelines, of which the accuracy is not known or published, is typical characteristic of the facial approximation method. The aim of this thesis was to assess the accuracy of the particular prediction rules for estimation of position and size of facial parts (eyes, nose, lips), and based on the results to recommend the most accurate and suitable guidelines for middle European population. An assessment of the strength of the association between craniofacial shape and the shape of soft tissues in the profile using geometric morphometric methods, and determination of the extent to which it might be possible to predict the latter from the former were the purpose of the second part of the research. Material for this study consisted of 87 lateral head cephalograms of a recent adult Central European population (52 males...