A Forensic Identification Utility to Create Facial Approximations using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography of 100 Hispanic Females: A Pilot Study

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Introduction:Estimation of facial soft tissue appearance from human skeletal remains is often necessary in forensic identification. This process has been referred to as facial reconstruction or facial approximation and is a branch of forensic facial anthropology. Original methods for facial approximation originated in nineteenth century Europe and consisted of artists shaping clay over skull models using average soft tissue depths measured in cadavers. The last two decades have introduced numerous computerized techniques that have digitized this process while attempting to accurately and objectively define the relationship between a skull and its overlying soft tissue. This pilot study describes a method of facial approximation that combines cephalometric techniques for characterization of the craniofacial complex commonly used in the field of orthodontics with a database of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) skull images. Facial likenesses for an unknown skull are automatically loca

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