Portal:Medicine/Selected article/50, 2006

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Facial reconstruction of The Spirit Cave Man, one of very few complete skeletons found in the United States over 8,000 years old.
Facial reconstruction of The Spirit Cave Man, one of very few complete skeletons found in the United States over 8,000 years old.

Forensic facial reconstruction (or forensic facial approximation) is the process of recreating the face of an unidentified individual from their skeletal remains through an amalgamation of artistry, forensic science, anthropology, osteology, and anatomy. It is easily the most subjective—as well as one of the most controversial—techniques in the field of forensic anthropology. Despite this controversy, facial reconstruction has proved successful frequently enough that research and methodological developments continue to be advanced.

In addition to remains involved in criminal investigations, facial reconstructions are created for remains believed to be of historical value and for remains of prehistoric hominids and humans. (More...)

Subscript text