Title: Building good quality prototypes for forensic face reproduction from low quality laser scanned files

Authors: Thomas Wilson, Bahram Asiabanpour

Addresses: Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA. ' Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

Abstract: This paper will illustrate a new approach for the quality improvement of the computer-aided design files that are produced by the laser scanning for face reproduction process for forensic anthropologists in determining the unknown skull|s true owner through a low cost method of facial reconstruction without losing the skull as the original evidence. The procedure includes: laser scanning and producing stereolithography (STL) files; splitting large files into smaller, manageable files; repairing, stitching and filling holes of all STL slices; hollowing the model; and model prototyping. Results prove this to be a very promising method which could serve as a replacement for more expensive approaches that require MRI and CT scans.

Keywords: computer-aided facial reproduction; forensic facial reproduction; laser scanning; file improvement; forensic anthropology; face reproduction; skull; stereolithography; STL; model prototyping; rapid prototyping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAPIDM.2011.040691

International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 2011 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.92 - 103

Published online: 18 Feb 2015 *

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