NCJ Number
212357
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 55 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2005 Pages: 687-696
Date Published
November 2005
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article discusses how forensic artists generate postmortem renderings and full facial reconstructions of deceased persons.
Abstract
Death investigations rely on the timely identification of the decedent, which is often difficult to accomplish through conventional means if the remains are badly decomposed. When identification is not possible through more traditional means, such as fingerprint or dental comparisons, investigators may call in a forensic artist to produce a likeness of the deceased suitable for release to the public. Forensic artists generally chose to construct postmortem renderings or full facial reconstruction, depending on the amount of trauma or decomposition of the facial remains. The author describes each technique in turn and offers advice for investigators on the type of information forensic artists may need to generate the best reconstruction possible. Recommendations are offered on how to best photograph remains for an artist’s rendering and how to search a death scene for information about the decedents’ appearance. Figures