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

Abstract

The preservation and reconstruction of anthropological and archaeological remains has been given considerable attention in recent years, particularly within the fields of forensic science and palaeoanthropology. However, few studies have tapped the potential of using 3D technology to reconstruct, remodel and recontour remains and artefacts for the purpose of human identification. The aim of this study was to use 3D technology for the reconstruction and remodelling of fragmented and missing elements of skeletal remains. This project presents the application of three dimensional (3D) modalities to two different simulated forensic case scenarios where an attempt was made to remodel the missing element of the human cranium and reconstruction of fragmented replicated human mandible was performed. The accuracy of the reconstructed model was affirmed based on the anatomical features and digital analysis and methods for use in forensic practice are recommended.

The big puzzle: A critical review of virtual re-association methods for fragmented human remains in a DVI context'

“…15 additional articles, referenced in the selected publications, completed the list. From these 39 articles, 33 were primary [3], [4], [24], [25], [31]- [55], [22], [56], [57] and 6 were reviews [2], [7], [11], [14], [58]- [60].…”

“…Considering 3DSS, a total of 12 publications focused on it for VRA of fragments [14], [22], [24], [31], [33], [41], [45], [51], [55]- [57], [67]. Unlike the MDCT-scan that constitutes the first step of the DVI post-mortem examination, 3DSS is too time-consuming for a DVI context, and we did not investigate the parameters used for the acquisition with those scanners.…”

Head CT Image Segmentation and Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Technology Based on Human Anatomy

“…Jani et al found that the application of three-dimensional technology in the reconstruction and description of human bone fragments is less. By analyzing the application of three-dimensional model in forensic cases, the accuracy of three-dimensional reconstruction model is improved from the perspective of anatomical features and digital analysis, and the optimization of three-dimensional reconstruction technology is realized [ 16 ].…”

Assessment of the accuracy of 3D printed teeth by various 3D printers in forensic odontology

“…26 3D technology has also been proven to be effective in the demonstration of trauma and accident reconstructions. 11,27,28 In fact, 3D printing fracture demonstrations can be used to illustrate the injury process 29,30 as well as aid in restoration of fragmented specimens, that can be more useful in craniofacial identification 8,9 3D digitisation techniques can play an important role in the identification of a cranium through facial reconstruction. 31,32 Forensic artists have produced facial reconstructions of victims using 3D printed skulls from computed tomography (CT) scan data.…”

“…3 With the advent of 3D scanning and printing technology, their applications have been developed across industries such as medicine, dentistry, entertainment, forensic sciences, archaeology, etc. 4,5 3D printing is being used in various forensic science subdisciplines such as anthropology, nursing, crime scene analysis, ballistics, and odontology to produce 3D physical injury models, 6,7 reconstruction of fragmented specimens, 8,9 evidence reconstructions 10 and for demonstration in courts of law. 11,12…”