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RECONSTITUTION OF A SKULL

NCJ Number
11400
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Issue: 266 Dated: (MARCH 1973) Pages: 76-80
Author(s)
T SUZUKI
Date Published
1973
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A CASE HISTORY FROM 1970 IN WHICH A MURDER VICTIM WAS IDENTIFIED BY MEANS OF FACIAL RESTORATION AND THE MURDERER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY LOCATED AND CONFESSED.
Abstract
THE FACE RESTORATION TECHNIQUE WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY APPLYING CLAY TO THE SKULL SURFACE TO RECREATE THE CONTOURS OF THE FACE. THE CLAY IS APPLIED ACCORDING TO STATISTICAL MEAN VALUES FOR MUSCLE THICKNESS AT 23 KEY POINTS ON THE SKULL. THIS PROCESS IS BASED UPON DETERMINATION OF SEX, AGE, AND SIZE FROM THE SKELETAL REMAINS. IDENTIFICATION IS MADE MORE POSITIVE BY A SUPERIMPOSITION OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VICTIM AND A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE RECONSTITUTED SKULL.