Craniofacial Identification in Forensic Medicine

Reviewer: Jean-Francois Bedard, DMD(University of Chicago Medical Center)
Description: This text is as interesting as it is focused. The editors succeeded in bringing together a knowledgeable team of experts from the U.K. and Australia to present the unique material of this book. A multitude of self-explanatory photographs, a few of which are in color, as well as many graphics and figures help visually complement the text.
Purpose: The objective is to bring together information on methods of human craniofacial identification and to describe the ways such methods may be integrated with other techniques for establishing identity.
Audience: It should be of particular benefit to forensic pathologists, forensic odontologists, and forensic anthropologists, even though all involved or having an interest in forensic science, law enforcement, and the justice system will find pertinent material in this text.
Features: The content is divided into four major parts: principles; techniques; the changing face; and medico-legal issues. Part 1 deals primarily with the scientific principles of craniofacial identification, emphasizing the management of the scene and the recovery of remains. Part 2 focuses on artistic techniques used in forensic medicine and dentistry, and ranges from duplication of remains, surgical dissection, simple and complex photography, facial reconstruction; and computer-assisted imaging and modeling. Some of these tools are also very helpful in the potential recognition of living individuals thought missing. Part 3 reviews the science of growth, development, and aging, while Part 4 presents the legal aspects of the human identification process. The book also contains a useful appendix and a glossary.
Assessment: This is a highly specialized text, presenting the art and science of a fascinating discipline. The editors take the reader on a journey through the unusual problem solving approach of their specialty. In an era where violent crimes and missing persons are not so uncommon, it is important for properly trained professionals to lead investigations, potentially resulting in the identification of the victim and/or the aggressor. This book will prove valuable in providing tools to accomplish that precise task. Experts and novices alike will learn something in reviewing this text, from the meticulous science of combing a crime scene searching for evidence, through complex imaging techniques using video equipment and computer software in an attempt to identify remains of a person. This is a great first edition.

Reviewer: Jean-Francois Bedard, DMD(University of Chicago Medical Center)
Description: This text is as interesting as it is focused. The editors succeeded in bringing together a knowledgeable team of experts from the U.K. and Australia to present the unique material of this book. A multitude of self-explanatory photographs, a few of which are in color, as well as many graphics and figures help visually complement the text.
Purpose: The objective is to bring together information on methods of human craniofacial identification and to describe the ways such methods may be integrated with other techniques for establishing identity.
Audience: It should be of particular benefit to forensic pathologists, forensic odontologists, and forensic anthropologists, even though all involved or having an interest in forensic science, law enforcement, and the justice system will find pertinent material in this text.
Features: The content is divided into four major parts: principles; techniques; the changing face; and medico-legal issues. Part 1 deals primarily with the scientific principles of craniofacial identification, emphasizing the management of the scene and the recovery of remains. Part 2 focuses on artistic techniques used in forensic medicine and dentistry, and ranges from duplication of remains, surgical dissection, simple and complex photography, facial reconstruction; and computer-assisted imaging and modeling. Some of these tools are also very helpful in the potential recognition of living individuals thought missing. Part 3 reviews the science of growth, development, and aging, while Part 4 presents the legal aspects of the human identification process. The book also contains a useful appendix and a glossary.
Assessment: This is a highly specialized text, presenting the art and science of a fascinating discipline. The editors take the reader on a journey through the unusual problem solving approach of their specialty. In an era where violent crimes and missing persons are not so uncommon, it is important for properly trained professionals to lead investigations, potentially resulting in the identification of the victim and/or the aggressor. This book will prove valuable in providing tools to accomplish that precise task. Experts and novices alike will learn something in reviewing this text, from the meticulous science of combing a crime scene searching for evidence, through complex imaging techniques using video equipment and computer software in an attempt to identify remains of a person. This is a great first edition.

Jean-Francois Bedard

This text is as interesting as it is focused. The editors succeeded in bringing together a knowledgeable team of experts from the U.K. and Australia to present the unique material of this book. A multitude of self-explanatory photographs, a few of which are in color, as well as many graphics and figures help visually complement the text. The objective is to bring together information on methods of human craniofacial identification and to describe the ways such methods may be integrated with other techniques for establishing identity. It should be of particular benefit to forensic pathologists, forensic odontologists, and forensic anthropologists, even though all involved or having an interest in forensic science, law enforcement, and the justice system will find pertinent material in this text. The content is divided into four major parts: principles; techniques; the changing face; and medico-legal issues. Part 1 deals primarily with the scientific principles of craniofacial identification, emphasizing the management of the scene and the recovery of remains. Part 2 focuses on artistic techniques used in forensic medicine and dentistry, and ranges from duplication of remains, surgical dissection, simple and complex photography, facial reconstruction; and computer-assisted imaging and modeling. Some of these tools are also very helpful in the potential recognition of living individuals thought missing. Part 3 reviews the science of growth, development, and aging, while Part 4 presents the legal aspects of the human identification process. The book also contains a useful appendix and a glossary. This is a highly specialized text, presenting the art and science of a fascinatingdiscipline. The editors take the reader on a journey through the unusual problem solving approach of their specialty. In an era where violent crimes and missing persons are not so uncommon, it is important for properly trained professionals to lead investigations, potentially resulting in the identification of the victim and/or the aggressor. This book will prove valuable in providing tools to accomplish that precise task. Experts and novices alike will learn something in reviewing this text, from the meticulous science of combing a crime scene searching for evidence, through complex imaging techniques using video equipment and computer software in an attempt to identify remains of a person. This is a great first edition.

3 Stars from Doody