Forensic Art

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Forensic Art

• Pathology 4

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Forensic Approximation

• Forensic approximation is a process that attempts
  to recreate unidentified persons likeness
• Uses several sciences to make accurate
  predictions
• Anthropology
• Osteology
• Anatomy
• There is also an element of art

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Forensic Approximation

• Used for non-criminal applications as well as law
• Legally controversial
• Fails the Daubert Standard (1993)
• Expert testimony
• No two experts would derive the exact same
  conclusion
• Not admissable as evidence in court
• Can be used as an investigative aid only

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Forensic Approximation
Forensic approximation of the Spirit Cave Man,
one of only a few complete skeletons found in the
United States over 8,000 years old.
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Forensic Approximation

• History
• First used in 1883 for archeological digs
• First study of facial tissue thickness was
  completed
• First used in forensics in 1962

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Identification

• Two types of identification
• Circumstantial
• Individual fits the general profile for a set of
  skeletal remains
• Positive
• Individual has unique set of characteristics
  shared with skeletal remains
• Facial reconstructions are the most common

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Facial Reconstructions

• Generally based on skull, photographs, x-rays
• Usually require both an anthropologist and an
  artist
• 3 Types
• 2D Reconstruction
• Hand drawn or computer generated portraits
• FACE and CARES software
• 3D Reconstruction
• Includes sculptures, 3D computer imagery

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3D Facial Reconstruction
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Facial Reconstructions

• Superimposition
• Only useful if there is some idea of the remains
  identity
• Places a photograph over x-ray of skull and looks
  for similarities

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Superimposition
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Facial Reconstructions

• Thorough exam of skull needed
• Muscle attachments
• Damage, wounds
• Shape of skull, eyes, nasal openings
• Skull cleaned and damaged areas repaired with wax
• Mandible reattached
• Eyes inserted
• Pegs used to identify typical tissue thickness
• Nose is largely an educated guess

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Soft Tissue Reconstruction
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Limitations of Facial Reconstructions

• Insufficient data
• Face is extremely complicated
• 10 muscle groups in human face
• Subtle differences between races, sex, body
  builds
• Cartilage does not remain
• No standardization
• Different techniques and approaches
• Subjectivity
• Wrinkles, birthmarks, skin folds

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Famous Reconstructions
In 2005, forensic anthropologists and artists
worked together to create the face of the
legendary King Tut.