Application of Superimposition-Based Personal Identification Using Skull Computed Tomography Images

• NCJ Number: 235796
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2011 Pages: 960-966
• Author(s): Masuko Ishii, M.Sc.; Kazuhiro Yayama, V.M.; Ayaka Sakuma, D.D.S.; Daisuke Yasjima, M.D., Ph.D.; Mutumi Hayakawa, M.D., Ph.D.; Seiji Yamamoto, M.D., Ph.D.; Hirotaro Iwase, M.D., Ph.D.; Hisako Motani, D.D.S., Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2011
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the process of superimposition to identify skeletonized corpses.

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, this study 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. (Published Abstract)