Reconstruction Methods

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PSI Forensic Facial Reconstruction ~ Artifact Illustration


	All sculptures, drawings and images: ©2008, Penelope Siig/PSI Studios. All rights reserved.


		Neanderthal Female

About Forensic Facial Reconstruction Methods

Both the tissue depth and anatomical methods of facial reconstruction on the skull are employed by the artist. The anatomical method uses information provided by the skull itself with regard to the origins (beginnings) and insertions (endings) of facial muscles. The artist reveals the face from the inside out, by first sculpting the muscles, cartilage and certain glands directly on the skull and then covering these with clay skin. Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy is a prerequisite to the production of a proper reconstruction. The artist uses this method in combination with the tissue depth method in historical and anthropological work to reconstruct the faces of fossil humans and hominids.

The tissue depth method utilizes standard measurements of facial skin thickness, applied to the skull in the form of tissue depth markers, to guide the artist in the reconstruction of soft tissue and restoration of the face. Skin-depth charts have been developed from data collected over many years by scientists, physicians and anatomists. The expertise of a forensic anthropologist, who provides necessary data regarding the sex, age and derivation of the individual skull, is required in all forensic facial reconstructive work relative to the identification of missing persons or victims of crime or other tragic circumstances.

References:
Anderson, M. (1990). “Fleshing out the past: reconstructing fossil faces,” Discovery, 22(1).
Prag, J. and Neave, R. (1997). Making Faces, London: British Museum Press.
Taylor, K. (2001). Forensic Art and Illustration, Boca Raton: CRC Press.