Abstract
Facial reconstruction is the most frequently used method for human identification in forensic examinations. It is a complex and time-consuming technique and an actively growing field with a wide array of applications. The methods of forensic facial reconstruction are helpful in those cases where other methods of identification are not applicable. Identification of the dead is always a challenging task for forensic teams in cases involving terrorists’ attacks and mass disasters where the corpses are fragmented, decomposed, and skeletonized. In such cases, only the skeletal remains and few other clues are available to establish the identity of a person. The progress of facial reconstruction was initiated in the nineteenth century, reconstructing the facial profiles of some famous and rich people. Various novel techniques for facial reconstruction have been devised in the recent past. We conducted literature search, using databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect for analyzing different methods developed and practiced till date for human facial reconstruction. We outline the brief history along with a discussion regarding the different methods of forensic facial reconstruction and their limitations. We also discuss future recommendations and preferences for further research in the field of forensic facial reconstruction and human identification.
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The principal author (AG) is thankful to Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, for awarding INSPIRE Fellowship under grant number IF190719 for pursuing Ph.D. Kewal Krishan is supported by UGC Centre of Advanced Study (CAS II), awarded to the Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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Communicated by: Matthias Waltert
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Guleria, A., Krishan, K., Sharma, V. et al. Methods of forensic facial reconstruction and human identification: historical background, significance, and limitations. Sci Nat 110, 8 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-023-01838-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-023-01838-9