Facial

Reconstruction
From Skeletal
Remains !

By:
P.Vinay & M.Ganesh Kumar,
III B.D.S., Ragas Dental College
1
 What is Forensic
Medicine?
Forensic medicine, also called Legal medicine
or medical jurisprudence deals with the
interaction of medical science with the law.

The name comes from ‘forum’, the Roman

market-place where lawyers did their business.

2
 What is death ?
Death is a process, not an event.

There is no single definition for death.

Death is not merely the absence of life, but the

cessation of life in a previously viable
organism.

3
 Classification of
death

Somatic Cellular

• Somatic death ----- the person no longer functions as a unit

of society, because he is irreversibly unconscious and can’t
communicate with the environment and is unaware of his own
or the world’s existence.
• Cellular death ----- means the cessation of respiration and
metabolism of the body tissues, which is soon followed by
autolysis and decay.

4
 Causes of death Forensic Related

Self induced death:

Railway track suicide CO inhalation

Gunshot suicide
5
 Causes of death Forensic Related

Others induced death:

Sexual assault Road accident Electric hot-plate

torture

6
 Why are we concerned
about death?
Almost all doctors, whatever their
speciality,come in to contact with death at some
time or other in their professional work.

The legal & ethical aspects of this inevitable

process form an important part of Forensic
Medicine.

7
Facial Reconstruction
Three types:
 2-D Facial Reconstruction
3-D Facial Reconstruction
Computer Aided Facial Reconstruction

8
 3-D Facial
Reconstruction
The Making

9
 3-D Facial
Reconstruction
Methods
There are 3 methods:
Anatomical method
Tissue depth method
Combination method

10
 3-D Facial
Reconstruction
Armamentarium required
Skull
Tripod Stand
Cotton
Clay
Clay modelling instruments
Instant adhesive (ex: Fevikwik)

11
 3-D Facial
Reconstruction
Take photograph of the skull with markers for
future reference

12
 3-D Facial
Reconstruction

13
 Combination
Method
It’s a method of facial reconstruction in which
certain Anatomical structures are defined
individually to flesh out the face.
All tissue depth data are utilized.

14
 Combination
Method
Preparation & Preservation of Skull:
Orbits and Nasal cavity are blocked
Mandible attached to cranium
Spacing in Condylar fossae
Freeway space is maintained
Edentulous jaw is fixed using a guide

15
 Combination
Method
Preparation & Preservation of Skull:

16
 Combination
Method
Placing Tissue depth markers:
All tissue depth markers are not used
The markers are used to assist in contouring
Photograph of the skull with tissue depth markers
is taken for further procedures

17
 Combination
Method
Tissue depth markers

18
 Combination
Method
Fleshing out Anatomical landmarks
Few markers are connected using strips of
clay
Certain anatomical landmarks like
Temporalis, Fatty buccal pad, Masseter,
Parotid gland, and few Facial muscles are
created using clay
Eyes are also placed

19
 Combination
Method
Fleshing out Anatomical landmarks

20
 Combination
Method
Sculpting - Part I
Now the work and fun really begins
It’s the matter of using those artistic skills to
bring life
Add clay using both the tissue depth marker
guidelines and the sculpted muscles
Placing ears is highly imaginary

21
 Combination
Method
Sculpting – Part I

22
 Combination
Method
Sculpting – Part II
The face has now begun to take shape
Tissue depth markers still visible
Width of the nasal cavity is equal to the
total width of the nose
Nasal bone used to determine the slope of
the nose

23
 Combination
Method
Sculpting – Part II

24
 Combination
Method
Sculpting – Part III
Now the finishing touches are applied and
the tissue depth markers are covered
She had no side teeth note her cheeks
Wrinkles were added to support her age
Hair based on the hairstyles of that era

25
 Combination
Method
Sculpting – Part III

26
 Combination
Method
Finishing Touches
Painting is minimal - some oil washes
followed by airbrushing
Polyfiber hair was punched in
A cap is placed upon her head

27
 Combination
Method
Finishing Touches

28
 Combination
Method
Conclusion
The sculpture is photographed
Photograph is superimposed with skull
Photographs are sent for identification
The process in now complete.
A piece of history - Albany in the early
1700s - has now been given a face.

29
 Superimposition
Done to check whether the reconstruction was
done correctly or not
Three types:
Photographic
Video
Computer aided

30
Superimposition

31
 Facial
Reconstruction
The facial reconstruction project described
here required three major steps:
A computed tomograph scan
A stereolithography cast of the skull
A skilled technician to model the face in clay
and make the molds

32
 Facial
Reconstruction
Computed Tomograph Scan

33
 Facial
Reconstruction
Stereolithography Cast

34
 Facial
Reconstruction
Making the Clay mould

35
Guided By :
Dr. Shiva Kumar, M.D.S.,
• Head, Dept. of Preventive & Community Dentistry
Dr. Madhusudhanan Krishnan, M.D.S.,
• Reader, Dept. of Preventive & Community Dentistry
Dr. P.D.Madhan Kumar, M.D.S.,
• Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Preventive & Community
Dentistry

36
Acknowledgements :
Ms. Karen T. Taylor
• Portrait Artist, Texas Dept. of Public Safety, Texas
Deputy Chief, Richard Berry
• Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington D.C.
Deputy Chief, Mike Deal
• Altamonte Springs, Florida Police Department
Mr. Lois Gibson
• Houston, Texas Police Department

37
References :
Karen T.Taylor, 3-D Facial Reconstruction on Skull,
Forensic Art & Illustration, 1st edition, 2001.
Bernard Knight, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,
Simpson’s Forensic Medicine, 11th edition, 1997.
Rhine.J.S. and Campbell.H.R., Thickness of facial
tissues in American blacks, Journal of Forensic
Sciences, 25(4), 847-858, 1980.

38
39