Superimposition: SP: 304 / 04 G.Z.

Abstract

Skull/image superimposition is the most prevalent method by which unknown skulls are being identified, since a photograph of the suspected dead person may be easily obtained from the victim's family. The sculls were photographed under the same angle as the head of the subjects during their lives. The most delicate part of the work was the correct positioning of the scull on the stand, and proportional magnification of the scull image. The Adobe® Photoshop® 6.0. (PWW600R724387 - 473) computer program was used during the experiments. After being incorporated in the computer memory, digitalized images of the scull and face were put one over the other and showed on the monitor in order to determine their possible congruence or differences. A special attention was paid to the congruence of the same anthropometrical spots of the scull with the face, as well as to following their contours. The process of fitting the skull into the image usually begins by positioning the eyes in correct relation to the orbits. The skull must not be broader or longer than the soft tissue on the image, and the chin, mouth, nose, ears and so on, should be in their correct positions. All difficulties, associated with the superpositioning process were recorded, with the special attention to the critical evaluation of negative and positive superimposition. The social justification of this method for identification, on both state and international level (Interpol) was noted. The paper has been fully illustrated with images showing all stages of the work by chronological and logical order. This is the one of the first papers trying to complete superimposition in our country.

Keywords

• forensic science
• forensic anthropology
• face
• image processing
• computer-assisted
• scull