The Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee (UK) was successfully awarded £100,000 by a charitable trust to update and replace the specialist equipment required to create facial reconstructions.
The grant allowed CAHID to purchase several computers and haptic feedback armatures (virtual arms) giving students the opportunity to touch and feel the digital models onscreen, in our newly fitted haptic suite. The ability to have haptic feedback while turning anatomical layers semi-transparent to checking shape against the underlying skull increases the accuracy of the reconstructions.
"The Freeform software and haptic technology have given me industry-relevant experience in the most cutting-edge area of forensic facial identification. The ability to manipulate a 3D model of a skull has amazing implications for remote learning and working," said Leonie Robertshaw, MSc Forensic Art and Facial Imaging student.
Additional equipment has allowed this year’s forensic art students to get much further ahead with their training than in previous years. Only three weeks into the semester, our students progressed from having no experience at all to being able to join mandible to craniums, add tissue depth markers to skulls in preparation for facial reconstruction work, take accurate facial measurements of their 3D scanned models and superimpose images on to 3D models of skulls.
"The students have been able to spend more time practising techniques than students from previous years, due to having this additional equipment in place. This has really made a difference to the level of skill they've each managed to achieve in a relatively short space of time," said Lynn Morrison, professor in Forensic Art.
These students have the opportunity to become Forensic artists who aid in the identification of crime victims, missing persons, or human remains. Which can then aid authorities with the apprehension or conviction of criminals.
"These tools and software never fail to make feel connected to my work," said Elysia Greenway, MSc Forensic Art and Facial Imaging student.
Republished courtesy of University of Dundee. Photo credit: Dundee