A Sibling-Guided Strategy to Capture the 3D Shape of the Human Face.

 

Donna Napolitano

Forensics, E/F Block Odd

Current Event 9

1-4-22

 

Article Link: 

“A Sibling-Guided Strategy to Capture the 3D Shape of the Human Face.” ScienceDaily,

ScienceDaily, 13 May 2021,

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210513142511.htm. 

 

This Science Daily article speaks about new technological discoveries relating to scientist’s ability to capture the 3D shape of an individual’s face. Although existing tools for connecting genetics to physical traits require an input of simple measurements, such as distance between the eyes, that do not perfectly capture the complexities of facial shape, these new developments in forensic investigations have led scientists to develop a strategy for capturing these complexities in a format that can then be studied with existing analytical tools. For instance, scientists began to analyze facial similarities between a pair of genetically related siblings. This analysis helped them to learn from 3D facial data from a group of 273 pairs of siblings of European ancestry, which revealed 1,048 facial traits that are shared between siblings. In essence, the researchers applied their new strategy for capturing face shape to 8,246 individuals of European ancestry, for whom they had also obtained genetic information. This helped to create data on face-shape similarities between siblings that was then combined with their genetic data and analyzed with existing tools for linking genetics to physical traits. This study could soon serve as the basis for several different directions of forensic science investigations, including a replication of the findings in larger populations, and investigation of the identified genetic loci in order to better understand the biological processes involved in facial development. This new development has led forensic scientists to analyze crimes in a more efficient manner as they are now able to identify perpetrators faster.

As a result of the difficulty investigators typically have when attempting to determine the perpetrator of a crime, the creation of this new face analysis technology can help scientists to analyze suspects in a more accurate manner. This process seems to be the type of technology that could take the burden off of investigators’ chests, aiding them in focusing on different aspects of a crime, rather than remaining focused on the perpetrator and the suspects at hand. For instance, this 3D technology can help investigators figure out a suspect’s facial shape, helping to move the case along quicker than before. To add to that, when comparing an individual’s facial structure utilizing this new technology, the identification of suspects seemed to be more accurate than ever before. The article also mentioned how the technology helps to connect siblings, therefore the process can also serve as a connection between families and their DNA and could note the shared genetics and similar appearance of individuals.

After reading this Science Daily article, I noted a variety of strengths and weaknesses. First off, I enjoyed how the writer started off the article with a hook that immediately drew in readers and explained to them what the article would exactly entail. This also aided readers in understanding the importance of this 3D process and why it had been such a big discovery. I also enjoyed how the author backed all of his claims with evidence, essentially explaining the importance of sibling DNA and facial reconstruction when investigators are working on a case. However, I did feel as if the article was a bit repetitive at times as the author seemed to state the same few things about the importance of facial reconstruction and why this new technology had been made in a variety of ways, instead of bringing up new points in order to further explain the process. In essence, I wish the author had altered the wording utilized, adding a few more interesting details in order to make the writing more engaging.