The effect of skull malpositioning on superimposition (sp

1153/03 jp)

Šandor, Takač, Vladimir, Pilija

Glasnik Antropološkog društva Srbije

46

325

330

1820-7936

https://scindeks.ceon.rs/article.aspx?query=ISSID%26and%269345&page=0&so...

2011-2021/11/01/13:42:15

Skull/photograph superimposition is the most prevalent method by which unknown skulls are being identified, since a photograph of the suspected dead person can be easily obtained from the victim's family. This process is usually carried out manually by forensic anthropologists; thus being very time consuming and presenting several difficulties in finding a good fit between the 3D model of the skull and the 2D photo of the face. The most delicate part of the work was the correct positioning of the scull on the stand, and a proportional magnifying of the scull photograph. The Adobe®Photoshop® 7.0. computer program is used during the experiments. After being incorporated in the computer memory, digitalized photographs of the scull and face were put one over the other and showed on the monitor in order to determine their possible congruence or differences. A special attention was paid to the congruence of the same anthropometrical spots of the scull with the face, as well as to following their contours. The process of fitting the skull into the photograph is usually started by positioning the eyes in correct relation to the orbits. The skull must not be broader or longer than the soft tissue on the photograph, and the chin, mouth, nose, ears and so on, should be in their correct positions. All difficulties, associated with the superposition process were recorded, with the special attention to the critical evaluation of negative and positive superimposition. The superposition was carried out using 4 antemortem made face photograhs of the missing person. This work was fully illustrated with pictures showing all stages of the work, by chronological and logical order.