Methodology for Near-Optimal Computational Superimposition of Two-Dimensional Digital Facial Photographs and Three-Dimensional Cranial Surface Meshes

• NCJ Number: 128912
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (March 1991) Pages: 480-500
• Author(s): B A Nickerson; P A Fitzhorn; S K Koch; M Charney
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The authors present a methodology for human identification based on digital superimposition techniques. This methodology computes a fast, near optimal fit between a 3-dimensional surface mesh and a 2-dimensional digitized facial photograph.

Abstract

Since this is done digitally: (1) the photograph can be enhanced to reduce or eliminate motion blur, overexposure or underexposure, and out-of-focus distortions; (2) previous problems with skull/photograph scaling and alignment are minimized or eliminated; and (3) the photograph and skull can be numerically correlated. Two of several test cases produced from an implementation of this methodology are also presented. 10 figures, 1 appendix, and 39 references (Author abstract)