Face identification by computerized superposition method: Methodology and two case reports

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Skull-face photograph superposition is one of the methods of identification. Digitally recorded and stored within the computer, the images of the skull and face could be superimposed on the monitor. The method requires cooperation among the anthropologist, odontologist, forensic pathologist and the computer technician so as to avoid objective and subjective errors in the identification. CASE OUTLINES We present two cases of positive identification by superimposition. In the first case, it was a 65 year-old male with several brain operations, thus surgical skull bonetrepanations could be seen as the irregularities on the forehead, and were used as the antropological identificational figure. In the second case, it was an 83 year-old female, whose positive identification was made according a photograph taken at least 26 years before death. CONCLUSION Face identification by computerized superposition method is useful in all cases where both the skull and the photograph of the missing person are present, and where other methods of identification have failed due to multiple reasons.

Keywords

• identification
• superimposition
• putrefaction
• decomposition
• skeletisation