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Face to Face: Analysis and Comparison of Facial Features to Authenticate Identities of People in Photographs

NCJ Number
243349
Author(s)
Joelle Steele
Date Published
2013
Length
192 pages
Annotation
The author, a handwriting expert and facial features analyst, shares her knowledge and expertise in how to authenticate the identities of people in photographs, as well as those who may have signed a photograph.
Abstract
The first chapter explains anthropometry and biometrics, which are the basis for the author's methods in analyzing and comparing faces in photographs. Anthropometry is the study of human body measurements on a comparative basis. Facial features can be measured using anthropometric craniofacial surface landmarks, some of which are directly related to the underlying skeletal landmarks. The author has adapted these landmarks and points for use in face-to-face comparisons of people in photographs. Anthropometry also forms the basis for biometrics, which currently refers primarily to the computerized technologies that analyze biological data in databases for the purpose of authenticating identities. The history of the use of these methodologies for identification is reviewed. The second chapter is an introduction to face analysis. It includes case histories of some of the author's identifications of people in photographs. Another chapter explains how to analyze a facial photograph for a comparative identification, followed by a chapter that reviews anatomy and anthropometry. A chapter on ear analysis explains how the anatomy of ears can be used for identification. Two chapters distinguish between identifications in family photographs and surveillance photographs. Six chapters each describe the author's steps in analyzing and comparing photographs of famous people, including Billy the Kid, Anastasia Romanov, and Emily Dickinson. Remaining chapters discuss how to address face modifications, post-mortem photographs, faces in photographs and art, and handwriting on photographs. An 86-item bibliography