ABSTRACT

Countless facial images are generated everyday through digital and cell phone cameras, surveillance video systems, webcams, and traditional film and broadcast video. As a result, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have numerous opportunities to acquire and analyze images that depict persons of interest. Computer-Aided Forensic Facial Comparison is a comprehensive exploration of the scientific, technical, and statistical challenges facing researchers investigating courtroom identification from facial images.

Supported by considerable background material, research data, and prototypic statistical and applications software, this volume brings together contributions from anthropologists, computer scientists, forensic scientists, and statisticians. Topics discussed include:

  • Face database collection in 3D
  • Error and distinguishing power associated with craniofacial landmarks
  • Statistical analysis of face shape variation
  • Comparison of instrumentation
  • Court admissibility issues
  • Missing data
  • Computer applications development

Based on the quantification and analysis of more than 3000 facial images, this seminal work lays the foundation for future forensic facial comparison, computer applications development, and research in face shape variation and analysis. Using experimental and real case data, it demonstrates the influence of illumination, image resolution, perspective, and pose angle on landmark visibility. Downloadable resources are included which contain the raw 3D landmark datasets for 3000 faces, additional datasets used in 2D analysis, and computer programs and spreadsheets used in analysis and in the development of prototypic applications software.

chapter 1|10 pages

Introduction

ByMARTIN PAUL EVISON, RICHARD W. VORDER BRUEGGE

chapter 2|24 pages

Image Quality and Accuracy in Three 3D Scanners

ByLORNA GOODWIN, MARTIN PAUL EVISON, DAMIAN SCHOFIELD

chapter 3|18 pages

Shape Variation in Anthropometric Landmarks in 3D

ByLUCY MORECROFT, NICK R.J. FIELLER, IAN L. DRYDEN, MARTIN PAUL EVISON

chapter 4|18 pages

A Large Database Sample of 3D Facial Images and Measurements

ByMARTIN PAUL EVISON, LUCY MORECROFT, NICK R.J. FIELLER, IAN L. DRYDEN

chapter 5|18 pages

Investigation of Anthropometric Landmarking in 2D

ByLUCY MORECROFT, NICK R.J. FIELLER, MARTIN PAUL EVISON

chapter 6|12 pages

Effect of 3D Rotation on Landmark Visibility

ByLORNA GOODWIN, DAMIAN SCHOFIELD, MARTIN PAUL EVISON, EDWARD LESTER

chapter 7|18 pages

Influence of Lens Distortion and Perspective Error

ByDAMIAN SCHOFIELD, MARTIN PAUL EVISON, LORNA GOODWIN

chapter 8|10 pages

Estimation of Landmark Position Using an Active Shape Model

ByMATTHEW I.S. MAYLIN, ALYARO PALLARES BEJARANO, CHRISTOPHER J. SOLOMON

chapter 9|10 pages

Generation of Values for Missing Data

ByLUCY MORECROFT, NICK R.J. FIELLER

chapter 10|6 pages

Admissibility

ByXANTHÉ MALLETT

chapter 11|12 pages

Application Toolset

ByLUCY MORECROFT, MARTIN PAUL EVISON

chapter 12|12 pages

Problems and Prospects

ByMARTIN PAUL EVISON, RICHARD W. VORDER BRUEGGE