The use of craniofacial superimposition for disaster victim identification

Wilkinson, Caroline; Lofthouse, Amy

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.03.023

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…In the case of an AM professional portrait image, the camera may need to be placed as much as 2 m away from the teeth which can be difficult in a mortuary situation. It may be simpler to use data from a 3 D reconstruction from CT or from a 3 D scanner [36] to achieve a result.…”

Section: Photographs Showing Smiling Facesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic odontology in DVI: current practice and recent advances

Forrest

2019

Forensic Sciences Research

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Forensic odontology frequently plays a significant role in identification of the victims of multi-fatality disasters, but not in all. It depends on adequate dental remains surviving the disaster and on the availability of dental records to be successful. This paper describes current practice in the techniques of identification in forensic odontology and outlines recent advances that are moving into the mainstream. KEY POINTSForensic odontology plays a key role in mass disaster victim identification (DVI) when good-quality antemortem (AM) dental records are available. Images including radiographs, computerized tomography (CT) data and three-dimensional (3D) scan data are considered more reliable AM records than written dental charts and odontograms. Interpretation, transcription and comparison of dental datasets are complex processes that should be undertaken only by trained dental professionals. The future of forensic odontology DVI techniques is likely to include the use of 3D datasets for comparison.

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Section: Photographs Showing Smiling Facesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic odontology in DVI: current practice and recent advances

Forrest

2019

Forensic Sciences Research

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“…In addition, the validity of the superimposition result hinges on capabilities of skull positioning devices to accurately orientate skulls for video and/or still-frame photography. While many mechanical skull positioning devices have been previously presented in the literature [7,8,30,[58][59][60][61], their angular step resolution and associated material property and operational errors have not been adequately documented. Here, it is important to note that manufacturer-produced technical specifications of motors to drive mechatronic rigs are not sufficient accuracy data alone for validation as the rig design, rig materials, and rig construction may all impair overall instrument performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the major advantages of the craniofacial superimposition method is its use of facial photographs as the comparative antemortem reference data—these facial photographs are commonly available and often more easily obtained than DNA or medical records [ 30 , 31 ]. Nevertheless, as for all methods used in the identification context, it is critical that craniofacial superimposition methods are valid and deliver correct results, on a reliable basis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Craniofacial superimposition: a review of focus distance estimation methods and an extension to profile view photographs

et al. 2022

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Craniofacial superimposition concerns the photographic overlay of skulls and faces, for skeletal identification. As a phased method that depends on photographic optics first and anatomical comparisons second, superimposition is strongly underpinned by the physics of light travel through glass lenses. So that the downstream (and dependent) anatomical evaluations are not thwarted or erroneous identification decisions risked, it is critical that the optical prerequisites for valid image comparisons are met. As focus distance sets the perspective, the focus distance used for skull photography must be matched to that used at face photography, so that anatomically comparable 1:1 images are obtained. In this paper, we review the pertinent camera optics that set these nonnegotiable fundamentals and review a recently proposed method for focus distance estimation. We go beyond the original method descriptions to explain the mathematical justification for the PerspectiveX algorithm and provide an extension to profile images. This enables the first scientifically grounded use of profile view (or partial profile view) photographs in craniofacial superimposition. Proof of concept is provided by multiple worked examples of the focus distance estimation for frontal and profile view images of three of the authors at known focus distances. This innovation (1) removes longstanding trial-and-error components of present-day superimposition methods, (2) provides the first systematic and complete optical basis for image comparison in craniofacial superimposition, and (3) will enable anatomical comparison standards to be established from a valid grassroots basis where complexities of camera vantage point are removed as interfering factors.

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“…The difference between visual comparison and 2D-3D superimposition match rates and opinions observed through this study were considerable, highlighting the importance of 3D imaging in photographic dental identification. 3D imaging was also used in a recent craniofacial superimposition (CSF) study by Wilkinson and Lofthouse [31] where 2D AM images were aligned and matched to the 3D skull model Conclusions should be made only after considering the quality of the image, number of teeth visible for analysis, dental characteristics, well aligned teeth/arch and superimposition of the image and 3D scan. This technique might not be indicated in cases involving traumatic injuries to the face that may damage the anterior dentition or disrupt the alignment and also in incinerated dental remains that are not suitable for analysis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic dental identification using two-dimensional photographs of a smile and three-dimensional dental models: A 2D-3D superimposition method

Reesu

Mânica

Revie

et al. 2020

Forensic Science International

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Photographs of a person smiling may provide valuable information about their anterior dentition. These images can be an alternative ante-mortem (AM) dental source in cases with no dental records, which gives the forensic odontologist a significant opportunity for comparative dental analysis. There are no reported studies that have investigated the reliability of a superimposition technique using 2D photographs of a smile and 3D dental models in dental identification. The aim of this study was to explore novel odontological methods by combining 2D photographs with 3D dental models, simulating a dental identification scenario. The objective was to increase the accuracy of dental identification using an AM photograph with the aid of 3D imaging as an alternative to post-mortem (PM) photographs. The study comprised of 31 3D dental models (simulating PM information) and 35 digital photographs (simulating AM information). The data was analysed in two phases: Phase I-Visual Comparison of 2D-3D images and Phase II-2D-3D superimposition after a wash out period.Both methods were analysed by the principal investigator. Further, one-third (ten) of the sample was evaluated by six raters (three experienced forensic odontologists and three forensic odontology MSc. students). The interrater agreement was assessed using intra-class correlation (ICC 2, 1, absolute). The results of the study suggest that the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability using 3D superimposition was highest (ICC  1.0). In summary, there was an increase in match rates and higher certainty among the opinions reached when using the 2D-3D superimposition method. The procedure attempted to reduce the limitations of previously existing 2D methods and is intended to assist forensic experts with a reliable method in photographic dental identification when expressing conclusions on a case.

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The use of craniofacial superimposition for disaster victim identification

Cited by 13 publications

References 42 publications

Forensic odontology in DVI: current practice and recent advances

Forensic odontology in DVI: current practice and recent advances

Craniofacial superimposition: a review of focus distance estimation methods and an extension to profile view photographs

Forensic dental identification using two-dimensional photographs of a smile and three-dimensional dental models: A 2D-3D superimposition method

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