Computerized Reconstruction of Fragmentary Skeletal Remains

• NCJ Number: 252319
• Journal: Forensic Science International Volume: 275 Dated: June 2017 Pages: 212-223
• Author(s): Mohamed R. Mahfouz; Ali Mustafa; Emam ElHak Abdel Fatah; Nicholas P. Herrmann; Natalie R. Langley
• Date Published: June 2017
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-DN-BX-K537
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This project developed a new software, "Fragmento", for accurate analyses of fragmentary human skeletal remains and facilitation of three-dimensional (3D) fragmentary matching and full bone reconstruction.

Abstract

The framework uses the power of statistical bone atlases to create 3D templates for bone matching and to interpolate missing anatomy for full bone reconstruction. The developed tool has improved features that enable the user to visualize, review, and scale all scanned skeletal remains within a 3D statistical template, merging accepted registered elements to provide a fully reconstructed bone. A three-stage validation was performed on Fragmento. Stages I and II used simulated fragmentary data which was compared to full bones with an error less than 3 mm. Stage III compared output from geographic information system (GIS) software with comparable results. This validation process demonstrates the robustness and utility of Fragmento as a tool for 3D fragmentary bone matching and full bone reconstruction. (Publisher abstract modified)