A facial reconstruction and identification technique for seriously devastating head wounds. 2015

Marek Joukal, and Jan Frišhons
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 3, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic. Electronic address: mjoukal@med.muni.cz.

Many authors have focused on facial identification techniques, and facial reconstructions for cases when skulls have been found are especially well known. However, a standardized facial identification technique for an unknown body with seriously devastating head injuries has not yet been developed. A reconstruction and identification technique was used in 7 cases of accidents involving trains striking pedestrians. This identification technique is based on the removal of skull bone fragments, subsequent fixation of soft tissue onto a universal commercial polystyrene head model, precise suture of dermatomuscular flaps, and definitive adjustment using cosmetic treatments. After reconstruction, identifying marks such as scars, eyebrows, facial lines, facial hair and partly hairstyle become evident. It is then possible to present a modified picture of the reconstructed face to relatives. After comparing the results with photos of the person before death, this technique has proven to be very useful for identifying unknown bodies when other identification techniques are not available. This technique is useful for its being rather quick and especially for its results.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D008953 Models, Anatomic Three-dimensional representation to show anatomic structures. Models may be used in place of intact animals or organisms for teaching, practice, and study. Anatomic Models,Models, Surgical,Moulages,Models, Anatomical,Anatomic Model,Anatomical Model,Anatomical Models,Model, Anatomic,Model, Anatomical,Model, Surgical,Moulage,Surgical Model,Surgical Models
D011137 Polystyrenes Polymerized forms of styrene used as a biocompatible material, especially in dentistry. They are thermoplastic and are used as insulators, for injection molding and casting, as sheets, plates, rods, rigid forms and beads. Polystyrol,Polystyrene,Polystyrols
D011890 Railroads Permanent roads having a line of rails fixed to ties and laid to gage, usually on a leveled or graded ballasted roadbed and providing a track for freight cars, passenger cars, and other rolling stock. Cars are designed to be drawn by locomotives or sometimes propelled by self-contained motors. (From Webster's 3d) The concept includes the organizational and administrative aspects of railroads as well. Subways,Railroad,Subway
D005145 Face The anterior portion of the head that includes the skin, muscles, and structures of the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, and jaw. Faces
D005151 Facial Injuries General or unspecified injuries to the soft tissue or bony portions of the face. Injuries, Facial,Facial Injury,Injury, Facial
D005260 Female Females
D005554 Forensic Medicine The application of medical knowledge to questions of law. Legal Medicine,Medicine, Forensic,Medicine, Legal
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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