Asymmetry in forensic 3-D facial reconstruction : an assessment of facial asymmetry in adult First Nations Nova Scotian facial soft tissue depth data

Abstract

Facial soft tissue depth data was collected from 50 First Nations Nova Scotian volunteers, using ultrasonic methods, in order to create a tissue depth database for use by forensic artists and to examine facial asymmetry in the population. The existence of significant asymmetry would suggest a revision for the current method of measuring only one side of the face. The analysis of facial soft tissue depth revealed that facial asymmetry in this population group is not significant. There were also few relationships found between age and facial tissue depth and little difference found between males and females. These findings suggest that the current method of measuring only one side of the face, in facial soft tissue depth studies, is sufficient for collecting data from First Nations Nova Scotians. This data is reported in an effort to improve the tools with which missing individuals from this population group can be identified.