In this case we have an unknown person whose likeness has been approximated by clay reconstruction from the skeletonized remains. His necklace, with a Swiss Army knife and a medallion, lies limp around his skeletonized cervical vertebrae. There is a knitted wool hat with a Nike logo and a pair of eyeglasses by his side. Left in the woods in the Ocala National Forest in Central Florida and found in 1999, he still remains unknown.
The reconstruction process involves mounting the skull in an appropriate setting, so that the location is mobile but the skull is fixed, and then the setting of erasure plugs about the skull to determine tissue thickness (Figure 12.1a). Once tissue depth is established it is time to add the clay in the appropriate thickness (Figure 12.1b) until all the finishing touches have been applied, and the known possessions have been placed, to complete the artist’s conception of this person’s appearance (Figure 12.1c).
A second case illustrates a clay approximation with different clues. This person’s remains were found in a box in the north section of Miami. Hair sample, skin tags, and clothing were available to suggest that this was a medium-build white female with dark hair, perhaps 25–35 years old (Figure 12.2a). Tissue depths were determined by chart and depth markers placed about the skull (Figure 12.2b) and clay was added in layers until depth markers were covered. The correct lip position is such that the teeth will be exposed to further assist in any identification. The finishing phase is very artistic. This involves skin lines, eyebrows, hair style, and color. In the female figure this can vary widely
Figure 12.1b Clay restoration – progress. Figure 12.1a Clay restoration – beginning.
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(Figure 12.2c). In an attempt to visualize the person, a two-dimensional representation is often requested, and that sketch is then presented in the newspaper for further distribution and possible identification. This is usually accomplished by the police artist who may not have any knowledge of the three-dimensional product in clay (Figure 12.2d). Both of these cases are still considered active as no positive identifications have been made to date.
A very important element in the forensic facial approximation process is age pro- gression. The time of discovery of the remains may disclose the approximate age of the individual, but in cases where the face of the perpetrator is to be created, the time between the act and the present time must be taken into consideration. When a child is missing, photographs are very important. However, if much time has elapsed from the date of missing/abduction, then changes associated with age must be a consideration in the two-dimensional facial creation.
When it comes to three-dimensional (clay) reconstruction, Betty Pat Gatliff of Norman, Oklahoma (http://www.skullpturelab.com) presents courses annually in basic and advanced sculpting. In the two-dimensional realm, Karen T. Taylor of Austin, Texas (http://www.karenttaylor.com) has authored many books on the subject.
Photographic modification of existing photographs has undergone dramatic changes in the past few years. Manual painting and tracing have been replaced by electronic enhancement led by Adobe Photoshop and other software programs. One quick example of photographic enhancement is to take the postmortem photograph of the damaged physiognomy of an unknown victim, and demonstrate the value of electronic software to create what that face might have looked like, for the purpose of identification (Figure 12.3). The manipulation of the tissue and color is still in the hands of the operator.
Figure 12.2a Unidentified female remains. (Courtesy of the Miami Dade Medical Examiners office. Used with permission.)
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Approximation of facial characteristics on a bare skull is still an art, even though prac- ticed on a computer. There are computer programs that will laser-scan the skull and then refer to a database, which is based upon ethnic, gender, genomic, and syndromic character- istics. The value of this procedure is only as good as the database, which is presently under development in many areas. If you are working in China, it will produce predominantly
Figure 12.2d Newspaper article on unidentified female. (Courtesy of the Miami Herald and
the Miami Dade Police Department. Used with permission.)
Figure 12.3 Photographic reconstruction. (Courtesy of the Miami Dade Medical Examiners office. Used with permission.)
Oriental facial features (Figure 12.4a,b). In Texas, it will be quite different. If you are com- paring teeth as in ADIS (Automated Dental Identification System), the computer will assist but not make a positive identification due to the large differential between antemortem and postmortem radiography. If you are comparing faces, the biometric analysis depends upon the database for comparison. The purpose of the comparison may vary from criminal to the identification of a missing person. The database has many shortfalls. Some may say that the program is simply “under development.” Others may say that it is unscientific and unacceptable. In any case, it is another weapon in our identification tool chest.
Figure 12.4a Laser 3D scan of skull. Figure 12.4b Computer-generated recre- ation of skull.
© 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
13
Odontoglyphics—
Bitemarks
Introduction
An odontoglyphic or a bitemark is produced by the voluntary action of teeth being forced into a softer object. Bitemarks can be left by humans, animal, insects or sea life.