Abstract

A method of matching and identifying skulls to family snapshots or passport photographs is described. The technique depends on the recovery of teeth, particularly the maxillary anterior teeth, with the skull and the availability of an antemortem photograph showing those teeth. Measurements of the anterior dentition of unidentified skulls are used to determine the magnification factor necessary for the preparation of life-sized transparencies of photographs. Superimposition of dental landmarks in these transparencies leads to correlation of further cranial features, thus enabling a successful positive identification. Suggestions are made for a system of identification based on assessment of visible features of the dentition.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
odontology, physical anthropology, dentition, superimposition, photography, cranium, photographic superimposition

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