Forensic Facial Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Nasal Prediction Techniques

Abstract

Prediction facial features from the skull are recurring theme on the forensic literature. The nose has been investigated since it has a significant role in facial recognition and the literature shows that there is not an universal method for nasal prediction. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to analyze what are the most consistent techniques of nasal reconstruction. Primary studies describing or validating nasal reconstruction techniques in adults and published in journals of Forensic Sciences were included in this review. Tedeschi‐Oliveira's method positioned nasal tip with acceptable accuracy as Gerasimov's method. The Krogman's and Iscan's technique underestimated nasal projection in North Americans. The Prokopec's and Ubelaker's method obtained accuracy in Caucasoid. George's method presented results similar to reference standard in Caucasoid. In a supplementary way, studies are needed to accurately estimate the nasal width.

Prediction methods for soft tissue structures in forensic facial reconstruction: A review for reconstruction of nose, eyes, mouth and ears

“…Caucasoid are found to have straight nasal fossa, projected anterior nasal spine, straight nose, while Negroid tends to present wide nasal fossa, wide nose and Mongoloid tends to present with small anterior nasal spine and straight nasal profile (28) (29). Gerasimov's, George's methods obtained good results for Caucasoid population, Krogman's technique worked for the North Americans (29). Tedeschi-Oliveira and Strapasson methods were developed and tested only on Brazilians (26) (27) (28).…”

“…Also, though regression equations can be accurate for the population they have been derived from, they do not work well with sample of other population ) 19). Also, more studies for prediction of nasal width are required as majority of these studies analysed only the nasal projection or pronasale position (29).…”

“…Also, the studies for both mouth and ears prediction were heterogeneous and few, making it difficult for selection of a particular method. With ancestry playing a significant role, the difficulty of facial reconstruction increased among individuals descended from different ancestral groups (29). Another important aspect was recognition (29).…”

“…With ancestry playing a significant role, the difficulty of facial reconstruction increased among individuals descended from different ancestral groups (29). Another important aspect was recognition (29). What is required for forensics is not a statistically accurate reconstruction but rather a reconstruction which bares resemblance to the individual.…”