Fundamental research into the creation of reconstructed facial images with low creator dependence.

OBJECTIVES

The ultimate aim of this study is to use multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), which allows data to be constructed in three dimensions, to create reconstructed face images with low creator dependence and to be able to identify individuals in a short time. To this end, a 3D model was created as a basic study in this case, and each point on the midline was measured to identify areas of high distortion.

METHODS

As a basic study of digital facial reconstruction, digital reconstruction of the soft tissue thickness of the face was measured using results from computed tomography of 15 male Japanese patients (five patients each for three body types: thin, standard, and obese) who visited the university hospital.

RESULTS

The measurements of soft tissue thickness taken at 1-mm intervals downward in the lower part of the maxilla and at 1-mm intervals upward in the lower part of the mandible converged on the average to similar graphs, even though there were large individual differences and even though body sizes differed. Correlation coefficients between measured and average values of the materials were 0.94 overall, 0.91 for the upper maxilla, -0.55 for the lower maxilla, and 0.76 for the lower mandible, indicating distortion in the subnasal and upper and lower lip areas within the range of soft tissue reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

In this experiment, distortion was observed in the subnasal and upper and lower lip areas when soft tissues were reconstructed on the computer. Facial skin around the lip area represents the most strongly variable area of the face and requires careful attention during reconstruction.