(From Glossary of Terms taken from ACPO National Working Practices in Facial Imaging)

Facial Reconstruction is based upon the recognition of the fact that there exists a predictable relationship between the skull and overlaying soft tissue.

This form of identification technique is only used when the facial features are severely damaged or decomposed beyond recognition.

An exact likeness from a recovered skull can never be achieved as there are far too many variables but this method can produce a face that will look very similar to the type of face the individual had before death.

The method shown above is a partial 'two dimensional reconstruction' example.

Having placed appropriate tissue depth markers at certain recognised anatomical points on the skull, the artist works with photographs of the skull (photographed using the correct facial plane to avoid distortion) as well as referring to the original skull, if possible.

An acetate sheet is placed over the life size scaled photographs and a sketch is produced on the acetate overlay - constantly checking and referring to the shapes and contours of the skull as well as utilising measurements obtained and photographs of the deceased at the scene and pre post mortem.

Other crucial information provided by other Forensic experts ( e.g. Pathologist Anthropologist and Odontologist ) is incorporated into the sketch to help provide as closer likeness as possible.
 

When the police investigate the death of a person that has not been identified, a forensic artist may be called to assist in providing a more appropriate image of that person as they may have looked in life, to aid identification.

It may be that they have received an injury or the facial tissue has been affected by non-severe effects of trauma, fire or water.

Each case needs careful individual assessment, to decide whether a post mortem drawing or Facial Reconstruction is more appropriate.

The final picture that the forensic artist provides has to capture something about that individual utilising the facial proportions that will trigger recognition by someone who is familiar with that person when seeing that image. This is often through police poster circulation, the newspaper media and TV circulation (and programmes such as Crime-watch UK)

The picture is not the sole means of proven identity and acts as the first link between the unidentified person and subsequent checks of other records needed to positively identify him or her. ( for example by means of DNA/dental records).

The post mortem interpretation is an investigative tool that hopefully helps the police to proceed with the investigation.

The work involved in producing an image is very much a ‘team effort’. The forensic artist needs as much information from other experts involved to incorporate into the sketch. The Forensic Pathologist, to help explain the effects of injury the Forensic Anthropologist/Forensic Odontologist to help with age and ethnic group or dental peculiarities.

Ideally the forensic artist prefers to attend the mortuary and obtain proportional measurements. Scaled photographs taken at the scene and prior to post mortem are also used to assist the forensic artist.

Every case is a tragedy. It’s somebody’s loved one often undeserving of some horrendous assault.

To be part of a dedicated team that ultimately helps to detect those responsible is very fulfilling. Although circumstances are sad to have helped someone to achieve some form of closure to these circumstances is very rewarding too.

Nobody deserves the treatment that some victims so sadly receive.

The hope is that by someone out there looking at that sketch and taking into account all the circumstances associated with the case, it will help the police identify the person to their family and subsequently help the investigation proceed.

Please look at the Unsolved Cases and see if you can help.