title: Application of superimposition-based personal identification using skull computed tomography images.
abstract: Superimposition has been applied to skulls of unidentified skeletonized corpses as a personal identification method. The current method involves layering of a skull and a facial image of a suspected person and thus requires a real skeletonized skull. In this study, we scanned skulls of skeletonized corpses by computed tomography (CT), reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) images of skulls from the CT images, and superimposed the 3D images with facial images of the corresponding persons taken in their lives. Superimposition using 3D-reconstructed skull images demonstrated, as did superimposition using real skulls, an adequate degree of morphological consistency between the 3D-reconstructed skulls and persons in the facial images. Three-dimensional skull images reconstructed from CT images can be saved as data files and the use of these images in superimposition is effective for personal identification of unidentified bodies.
authors: Forensic Science Laboratory, Chiba Prefecture Police Headquarters, 1-71-1 Chuo-minato, Chiba 260-0024, Japan. celeboo141@m6.gyao.ne.jp
authors: Masuko
authors: M
authors: Ishii
authors: Kazuhiro
authors: K
authors: Yayama
authors: Hisako
authors: H
authors: Motani
authors: Ayaka
authors: A
authors: Sakuma
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Yasjima
authors: Mutumi
authors: M
authors: Hayakawa
authors: Seiji
authors: S
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Hirotaro
authors: H
authors: Iwase