title: Anthropological facial approximation in three dimensions (AFA3D): computer-assisted estimation of the facial morphology using geometric morphometrics.
abstract: This study presents Anthropological Facial Approximation in Three Dimensions (AFA3D), a new computerized method for estimating face shape based on computed tomography (CT) scans of 500 French individuals. Facial soft tissue depths are estimated based on age, sex, corpulence, and craniometrics, and projected using reference planes to obtain the global facial appearance. Position and shape of the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears are inferred from cranial landmarks through geometric morphometrics. The 100 estimated cutaneous landmarks are then used to warp a generic face to the target facial approximation. A validation by re-sampling on a subsample demonstrated an average accuracy of c. 4 mm for the overall face. The resulting approximation is an objective probable facial shape, but is also synthetic (i.e., without texture), and therefore needs to be enhanced artistically prior to its use in forensic cases. AFA3D, integrated in the TIVMI software, is available freely for further testing.
authors.affiliation: Université Bordeaux 1, UMR 5199 PACEA, CNRS, MCC, Anthropologie des Populations Passées et Présentes, F-33615, Pessac, France; Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Central Identification Laboratory, 310 Worchester Ave, Bldg 45, USA-96853, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guyomarc'h
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dutailly
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Charton
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Desbarats
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Coqueugniot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D054881:Sex Determination by Skeleton; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: TIVMI; computed tomography; facial reconstruction; facial reproduction; forensic science; soft tissue depth