Top

Published in:

01-09-2010 | Case Report

Superimposition technique for skull identification with Afloat® software

Authors: Christoph G. Birngruber, Kerstin Kreutz, Frank Ramsthaler, Jonathan Krähahn, Marcel A. Verhoff

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 5/2010

Abstract

The craniofacial superimposition technique is still an important way of identifying skulls when there is no reference sample for a forensic DNA analysis, when DNA typing from remaining tissue samples has failed, or when antemortem dental records are not available. Through the widespread use of digital photography, the probability of portrait photographs of the missing person being available for comparison is reasonably high. We present a superimposition technique that is inexpensive, since it uses a free software tool compatible with the soft-and hardware components already being used in many facilities. Into the bargain, this technique yields high-quality results.

Afloat® (http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/productivity_tools/afloat.html)

Aulsebrook WA, Becker PJ, Iscan MY (1996) Facial soft-tissue thickness in the adult male Zulu. Forensic Sci Int 79:83–102CrossRefPubMed

Benazzi S, Stansfield E, Milani C, Gruppioni G (2009) Geometric morphometric methods for three-dimensional virtual reconstruction of a fragmented cranium: the case of Angelo Poliziano. Int J Leg Med 123:333–344CrossRef

Broca M (1868) Comparaison des indices céphaliques sur le vivant et sur le squelette. Bull Soc Anthropol Paris 2:25–32CrossRef

Eliasova H, Krsek P (2007) Superimposition and projective transformation of 3D object. Forensic Sci Int 167:146–153CrossRefPubMed

Fenton TW, Heard AN, Sauer NJ (2008) Skull-photo superimposition and border deaths: identification through exclusion and the failure to exclude. J Forensic Sci 53:34–40CrossRefPubMed

Grüner O, Reinhard R (1959) Ein photographisches Verfahren zur Schädelidentifizierung. Dtsch Z Gesamte Gerichtl Med 47:247–256CrossRef

Grüner O, Schulz G (1969) Über eine Vereinfachung der photographischen Schädelidentifizierung. Beitr Gerichtl Med 26:132–137PubMed

Helmer R (1984) Schädelidentifizierung durch elektronische Bildmischung. Zugleich ein Beitrag zur Konstitutionsbiometrie und Dickenmessung der Gesichtsweichteile, Kriminalistik Verlag, Heidelberg

10.

Helmer R, Grüner O (1977) Vereinfachte Schädelidentifizierung nach dem Superprojektionsverfahren mit Hilfe einer Video-Anlage. Z Rechtsmedizin 80:183–187CrossRef

11.

Helmer R, Grüner O (1977) Schädelidentifizierung durch Superprojektion nach dem Verfahren der elektronischen Bildmischung. Modifiziert zum Trickbild-Differenz-Verfahren 80:189–190

12.

Helmer R, Koschorek F, Terwey B, Frauen T (1986) Dickenmessung der Gesichtsweichteile mit Hilfe der Kernspin-Tomografie zum Zwecke der Identifizierung. Arch Kriminol 178:139–150PubMed

13.

Ibanez O, Cordón O, Damas S, Santamaría J (2009) An experimental study on the applicability of evolutionary algorithms to craniofacial superimposition in forensic identification. Inf Sci 179:3998–4028CrossRef

14.

Iscan MY, Helmer RP (eds) (1993) Forensic analysis of the skull. Craniofacial analysis, reconstruction, and identification. Wiley-Liss, New York

15.

Kim JJ, Han BG, Lee HI, Yoo HW, Lee JK (2010) Development of SNP-based human identification system. Int J Leg Med 124:125–131CrossRef

16.

Kirchhoff S, Fischer F, Lindemaier G, Herzog P, Kirchhoff C, Becer C, Bark J, Reiser MF (2008) Is post-mortem CT of the dentition adequate for correct forensic identification?: comparison of dental computed tomograpy and visual dental record. Int J Leg Med 122:471–479CrossRef

17.

Krogmann WM, Iscan MY (1986) The human skeleton in forensic medicine, 2nd edn. Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, pp 413–420

18.

Phillips VM, Smuts NA (1996) Facial reconstruction: utilization of computerized tomography to measure facial tissue thickness in a mixed racial population. Forensic Sci Int 83:51–59CrossRefPubMed

19.

Rhine JS, Campbell HR (1980) Thickness of facial tissues in the American Blacks. J Forensic Sci 25:847–858PubMed

20.

Tohnak S, Mehnert AJH, Mahoney M, Crozier S (2007) Synthesizing dental radiographs for human identification. J Dent Res 86:1057–1062CrossRefPubMed

21.

Ubelaker DH, Bubniak E, O’Donnel G (1992) Computer-assisted photographic superimposition. J Forensic Sci 37:750–762

22.

Verhoff MA, Gehl A, Kettner M, Kreutz K, Heinemann A, Ramsthaler F (2009) Geschlechtsdiskriminierung an 3-D-rekonstruierten Gesichtern aus CT-Datensätzen. Rechtsmedizin 19:441–444CrossRef

23.

Verhoff MA, Gehl A, Kettner M, Kreutz K, Ramsthaler F (2009) Digitale forensische Fotodokumentation. Rechtsmedizin 19:369–381CrossRef

24.

Verhoff MA, Ramsthaler F, Krähahn J, Deml U, Gille R, Grabherr S, Thali M, Kreutz K (2008) Digital forensic osteology—possibilities in cooperation with the Virtopsy® project. Forensic Sci Int 174:152–156CrossRefPubMed

25.

Verhoff MA, Witzel C, Kreutz K, Ramsthaler F (2008) The ideal subject distance for passport pictures. Forensic Sci Int 178:153–156CrossRefPubMed

26.

Verhoff MA, Witzel C, Ramsthaler F, Kreutz K (2007) Der Einfluss von Objektabstand bzw. Objektiv-Brennweite auf die Darstellung von Gesichtern. Arch Kriminol 220:36–43

27.

Welcker H (1883) Schillers Schädel und Totenmaske nebst Mitteilungen über Schädel und Totenmaske Kants. Vieweg, Braunschweig

Title: Superimposition technique for skull identification with Afloat® software
Authors: Christoph G. Birngruber
Kerstin Kreutz
Frank Ramsthaler
Jonathan Krähahn
Marcel A. Verhoff
Publication date: 01-09-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 5/2010
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-010-0494-9

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Superimposition technique for skull identification with Afloat® software

Abstract

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 5/2010

Establishing a minimum postmortem interval of human remains in an advanced state of skeletonization using the growth rate of bryophytes and plant roots

Estimating trace deposition time with circadian biomarkers: a prospective and versatile tool for crime scene reconstruction

The cannabinoid receptor type 2 is time-dependently expressed during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats

X chromosomal recombination—a family study analysing 39 STR markers in German three-generation pedigrees

Immunohistochemical detection of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a stasis-induced deep vein thrombosis model and its application to thrombus age estimation

Validation of adequate endogenous reference genes for the normalisation of qPCR gene expression data in human post mortem tissue