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Building Faces From Dry Skulls: Are They Recognized Above Chance Rates?

NCJ Number
188949
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 432-440
Author(s)
Carl N. Stephan BHSc; Maciej Henneberg D.Sc.
Date Published
May 2001
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study attempts to determine if any of 16 facial approximations, built using standard techniques, are sufficiently accurate to produce correct identifications of target individuals above chance.
Abstract
Four skulls were approximated using four commonly accepted methods. The resulting 16 facial approximations were judged by 37 assessors of varying ages. Assessors attempted to identify the target individual of each facial approximation from a face pool of 10 photographed faces. Only one facial approximation resulted in true positive identification rates above chance at statistically significant levels. The study concludes that it is rare for facial approximation to be sufficiently accurate to allow identification of a target individual above chance. Since 403 incorrect identifications were made out of 592 identification scenarios, facial approximation should be considered a highly inaccurate and unreliable forensic technique and not very useful in excluding individuals to whom skeletal remains may not belong. The study suggests that facial approximation be used in forensic science when all other methods of identification have failed and only to provide tentative identification. Tables, figures, references