TECHNIQUES IN FACIAL IDENTIFICATION - COMPUTER-AIDED FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION USING A LASER SCANNER AND VIDEO SUPERIMPOSITION

A facial image was reconstructed from the skull, part of a complete sk eleton found in woodland, of a male person who had hanged himself from a tree. In addition, video superimposition was carried out with antem ortem photographs of a person suspected of being the victim, and a goo d match was obtained. In a further case, a cheaper video-transparency superimposition was carried out, with identity later being confirmed o n the basis of dental records. The techniques and the problems encount ered are discussed. According to our experience, 3D computer reconstru ction and video superimposition have a useful role in the process of i dentification, particularly in the early stages of an investigation an d when other more definitive methods may not be available.