Presenting Three-Dimensional Forensic Facial Simulations on the Internet Using VRML

• NCJ Number: 183895
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 6 Dated: November 1999 Pages: 1219-1223
• Author(s): Martin P. Evison Ph.D.; Michael A. Green M.B.
• Date Published: November 1999
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Advances in graphical computing have facilitated the development of computerized simulation models for forensic facial reconstruction in three dimensions; this article describes the presentation of virtual images of plastic reconstructions on the Internet by using virtual reality modeling language (VRML) and the enhancement of the final images by using a commercially available three-dimensional editing program.

Abstract

Plastic reconstructions of typical male and female archaeological skulls, produced by using published "obese" and "emaciated" tissues depth data, were scanned with a Cyberware 3030RGB/CN color laser scanner and "Echo" software running on a Silicon Graphic Indy Workstation and IRIX 5.3 operating system. A 360-degree image of a forensic craniofacial reconstruction produced from a male skull by using mean tissue depths was captured with the scanner, and the void generated at the apex of the head was filled by using the "toupee" command in "Echo." Scans (180 degrees) of the anterior half of the head were produced from reconstructions of male and female archaeological skulls and cropped at the hair line by using the "crop" command. Images of female and male facial reconstruction in VRML format loaded onto the authors' departmental Internet site and viewed by using "Cosmo Player" are shown in two figures in this article. The low-resolution computerized version of a plastic reconstruction of a forensic male skull and a photographic image of the original are shown for comparison in another figure. Point-lit images of one of the reconstructions are shown with the light source in different positions. The Internet thus offers an additional medium for presenting images to the public that will complement the traditional methods. International round-the-clock accessibility to images is achieved, combined with the facility to interact freely with the reconstruction in three dimensions. Use of the Internet will also facilitate an efficient internationally available service for computerized forensic facial reconstruction. 4 figures and 7 references