Case report: Digital restoration of fragmented non-human skull

Effective approaches to three-dimensional digital reconstruction of fragmented human skeletal remains using laser surface scanning

“…Completeness of the fragmented remains is essential for establishing identification. The literature shows the use of geometric morphometric method [ 4 ] for reconstruction of paleoanthropological, anthropological remains where the fragments are reconstructed digitally [ 50 ]. The mandible reconstructed in the present paper relied on the manual algorithm which showed the overall morphological error of 1.5501 ± 2.00 mm.…”

“…examination of fragile and otherwise inaccessible material, the production of affordable, high-quality replicas for display, teaching, and research, increased accuracy and enhanced data sharing [ [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , 17 , 18 ]. The use of surface scanning in forensic anthropology and medicine has been well established [ 19 ], in contexts such as the analysis of burned remains [ 20 ], replication of anthropological specimens for curation and illustration [ 20 ], recording taphonomic changes [ 21 ], evaluating trauma [ 1 , 22 ], determining bullet pathways [ 23 ], and presenting evidence in court [ [24] , [25] , [26] ].…”

An Overview of Three Dimensional (3D) Technologies in Forensic Odontology

“…3D model analysis is one of the important analytical application for research purpose in cases of reconstruction 50,51 (Figure 10). • Virtual Reconstruction and Remodelling -Virtual reassembly of fragmented bones (Figure 9B) can be carried out to generate a single unit which can be printed as single assembly in contrast to the traditional practice of reassembling bone fragments using adhesive materials such as glue 5 . Virtual reconstruction is advantageous as it allows the evidence to remain in its original condition 25,26 .…”

“…A number of methodologies are used under the title of reconstructive forensics for virtual reconstruction which include mirroring, thin plate spline function, reverse engineering with geometric morphometrics, superimposition and incremental techniques 5,[52][53][54][55] . Authors have also demonstrated the use of 3D scanning and printing to reconstruct the post-mortem missing teeth from empty dental sockets 50 .…”

“…Since last few decades, the various forensic and medico-legal experts have gradually become acquainted with 3D modalities including 3D acquisition, 3D modeling and processing and 3D printing techniques [2][3][4] . It has been repeatedly demonstrated that virtual methods facilitate preservation, restoration, storage and conservation of evidence 2,5 . The 3D approach has evolved into a legitimate, recognized and stand alone methods for examining human skeletal remains, after the conversion of scanned data to digital models for editing, analysis and visualisation 3,6,7 .…”