Slide 1:B.H.S.C.S.I. Burbank High School Crime Scene Investigation FORENSIC FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION UNIT TEAM # _____________ CASE #______________ TEAM MEMBERS ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


INTRODUCTION TO SKULL RECONSTRUCTIONS :INTRODUCTION TO SKULL RECONSTRUCTIONS THE TECHNIQUE The American Technique of Skull Reconstruction was developed by Dr. Clyde Snow and Ms. Betty Pat Gatliff in the 1960's. The technique is based on over 100 years of data collected by scientists and anthropologists. This data was compiled into what is referred to as "Tissue Depth Measurement Charts" by the Physical Anthropology Laboratories of the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico in 1982 and updated in 1984. Originally, scientists began obtaining tissue depth measurements by inserting a needle into the face of a cadaver at twenty-one different facial locations and noting the measurements in millimeters. Nowadays, ultrasound is used to determine the thickness of muscle and skin on living persons and scientists are trying to expand the sample base to include large numbers of each race to increase the accuracy of the measurements.


FIRST STEPS IN RECONSTRUCITON :FIRST STEPS IN RECONSTRUCITON The steps of a reconstruction: Take frontal and lateral photography of the bare skull Then start placing the tissue depth markers on the twenty-one different locations on the skull. This is accomplished by choosing the appropriate depth markers by reviewing an anthropologist's report on the race, sex, and approximate age of the victim. We may get additional information that helps us make the reconstruction look as much like the living victim as possible, like clothing sizes recovered at the scene. The markers are usually made out of strips of electric erasers which are cut to the appropriate millimeter length with an Exacto Knife. The markers are then glued on to the skull using a special removable glue. Forensic artists want to return the skulls in their original condition to the requesting agency, so that when the victim is identified the family can have the bones for an appropriate burial, therefore, all clay, tissue depth markers and glue are removed from the skull before it is returned.


Slide 4:3. From that point on, it is a matter of covering the skull with a special oil-based clay to the depth of the tissue depth markers. 4. Marks left by attached muscles helps to determine where the eyelids are to be attached. The nose length is determined by a mathematical formula based on the length of the nasal spine located at the base of the nasal aperture. 6. The mouth is generally six to eight maxilla teeth in width. Using this information and much more, one can determine the approximate size of all facial features. 7. The specific facial features are the last items to be applied. As soft tissue is not available for guidance, the end of the nose, the shape of the ears and other soft tissue is determined by the artist. 8. Unless the hair was recovered at the scene, the hairstyle will also be determined by the artist, but we try to keep it simple and non-distracting.


Slide 5:Closing Note While a reconstruction may not be an exact replica of the living person, many of them have been identified by family and friends of a missing person, based upon the proportions between the eyes, nose and mouth and their location in the face. Everyone's proportions are different and unique and it only takes one person affiliated with the missing person to recognize their loved one. The final touches are adding personality to the reconstruction by adding a smile where possible and smoothing the clay to a life-like smoothness.


Actual Reconstructiontaking initial photos :Actual Reconstructiontaking initial photos


Placing markers and clay :Placing markers and clay


Final product :Final product


Locale Forensic Science Schools :Locale Forensic Science Schools MS Forensic Science Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas BS Forensic Science Baylor University, Waco, Texas BA Criminal Science w/ Forensic Science Track UTSA, San Antonio, Texas BS Forensic Science Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas Dual BS Clinical Laboratory Scientist UTSA, and UTHSC, San Antonio, Texas AAS Criminal Justice Forensic Science Specialty San Antonio Community College, San Antonio, Texas One Year Technical Certificate in Criminal Justice Forensics San Antonio Community College, San Antonio Texas


Some Courses Needed :Some Courses Needed Biology I and II with lab Anthropology Chemistry I and II with lab Organic Chemistry with lab Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab Physics I and II with Lab Genetics with lab Medical Terminology Toxicology Biochemistry with lab Molecular Biology Law and Ethics in Life Science


Your Assignment!!!!!! :Your Assignment!!!!!!


Slide 12:B.H.S.C.S.I. Burbank High School Crime Scene Investigation FORENSIC FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION UNIT INTRODUCTION Your team has been called to assist the SAPD in identifying the remains of a mammalian skull found in a shallow grave. The SAPD have exhausted all other leads in hopes of identifying the remains and have called upon your team to bring some light into identifying this individual. Your mission is to reconstruct the face of this skull and determine the need for further investigation or if a missing person can be identified. There are four known missing persons currently listed for the San Antonio area.


Slide 13:After reconstructing your skull, the team will determine if the reconstruction matches any of the four possible missing persons The following individuals are listed as missing from the general area that the skeletal bones were found: Willie Nulhern age 31 Caucasian Last seen with his wife prior to embarking on a road trip to San Antonio from his home in California. Witnesses noted that the description of his car matches one which was seen picking up a hitchhiker on a desolate stretch of IH-10 2 months ago. His wife reported him missing 2 weeks ago. Bobby MacNeal age 43 Caucasian Last seen leaving his hotel room on the river walk en route to the annual San Antonio Rodeo with three friends. Mr. MacNeal was seen with another woman other than his wife and his wife suspected that he was having an affair and that the marriage was going to come to an end. He was reported missing 72 hours after going to the Rodeo and never returning to his hotel room.


Slide 14:August Vann age 30 Caucasian Is a photographer by profession. He had been receiving death threats from the boyfriend of one of his former models, who had recently died of complications stemming from her battle with anorexia. After evidence from the investigation of the girl’s illness indicated that he had been pressuring her into dieting, he went missing. Last seen arguing with the boyfriend. Marshall Nelson age 28 Caucasian Is a bouncer at a local club with many enemies. Two of his fellow workers and he were under investigation for the possible causing of the death of a male who assaulted Nelson 5 weeks ago and subsequently died at Bexar County Hospital after being beating by Nelson and his co-workers. Nelson was to testify against his co-workers two weeks ago but has been reported as missing after his boss notice that he had not been reporting for work for over a week. The boss also noted that the two co-workers had openly made verbal threats to his life.


Slide 15:MISSION Due to you being a crime scene investigation team you may be required to testify in court as an expert witness. Therefore, you must insure that you keep detailed notes and photographs of your progress in case this investigation goes to court. Insure that your team first draws up a detail procedure on reconstruction determine your team members duties (team leader; reporter/photographer; clay handler; and reconstructionist) (duties must be rotated to ensure that all of you have perform one of the above duties at least once) Insure that your team takes daily photos of the reconstruction process Complete you detailed report as to the possible identity of the subject. Follow all lab safety procedures Respect your specimen at all times After the end of each day cover your specimen to protect its identity. During the time that your team begins to add special feature, (hair, hats, facial hair, etc.) notified Mr. Alexander or Mr. Mullins, who will act as family members to give you further information about the possible identity of the skull.


Slide 16:EQUIPMENT 1 EACH SKULL WITH BASE AND STEM 1 SET OF SCULPTING TOOLS (4 pieces) 2 POUNDS OF MODELLING CLAY 1 EACH ROLLING PIN AND WORK SPACE 2 PAIR OF EARS 4 EACH EAR HOLE PINS VARIOUS SKULL PEGS 2 PAIR OF EYES 1 DIGITAL CAMERA FOR PHOTOS (SEE SGT ALEXANDER OR SGT MULLINS)


Slide 17:HOW TO PREPARE CLAY USE SCULPTING TOOL TO CUT INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF MODELLING CLAY USE YOUR HANDS TO WARM AND SOFTEN THE CLAY (BEST WORKING OF CLAY IS AT 77 DEGREES F.) PLACE CLAY ON WORK SPACE; USE ROLLING PIN TO FLATTEN FLATTEN CLAY AND CUT TO SHAPE


Slide 18:DAILY PROCEDURES FOR YOU LAB TABLE USE A SHEET TO COVER YOUR WORK SURFACE DEBRIS FROM THE MODELLING CLAY MAY STAIN FABRIC. TAKE CARE TO WEAR OLD CLOTHING OR AN APRON UPON DAILY COMPLETION, FOLD THE SHEET COVERING YOUR WORK SURFACE AND DISPOSE IN A WAY THAT ASSURES ALL DEBRIS FROM THE MODELLING CLAY IS DISCARDED PROPERLY LAB SAFETY MODELLING CLAY CONFORMS TO ASTM D-4236 SMALL DEBRIS MAY PRODUCE A CHOKING HAZARD CLEAN HANDS WITH A DRY CLOTH AND WASH IN WARM SOAPY WATER AFTER EACH COMPLETION OF DAILY LAB APRONS ARE TO BE WORN DURING LAB WORK