Craniofacial Identification in Forensic Medicine

Book excerpt: It is the appearance of the face that provides most people with information about a person's identity. Similarly, in forensic science it has long been recognised that the most useful methods of obtaining the identity of an individual, in the absence of fingerprints, rely on the characteristics of the human face, head and teeth. Post-mortem identification of skeletal remains depends heavily on dentition and the morphology of the skull. As a result, 'Craniofacial Identification in Forensic Medicine' considers the various methods of identification describing the ways in which such methods may be integrated with other approaches for establishing identity. Video superimposition, radiographic and photographic superimposition as well as computer and artist modelling of faces from facial remains has led to rapid improvement in the techniques available for human facial identification. This book considers these issues together with the legal, social and psychological implications of their use. The specialist areas covered will be of particular benefit to forensic pathologists, forensic odontologists, forensic anthropologists and other forensic scientists as well as lawyers and law enforcement personnel. The book will also serve as an invaluable source of reference to craniofacial surgeons, coroners (medical examiners), archaeologists and students from a wide range of medical, legal and scientific disciplines.