Digital Forensic Facial Approximation
Collaborations with the Toronto Police Services and the Ontario Office of the Coroner
Forensic facial approximation is a unique form of scientific visualization. The purpose is to create a visual investigative tool that will allow the police to canvass the public with a conceivable visual identity. From this, a series of "possible" IDs can be generated from leads that come in. These can be narrowed down and DNA test between the decedent's remains and those left behind in the family or belongings of the possible ID can be compared.
In its construction, a facial approximation demands a deep knowledge of facial anatomy, and the technical ability to realize this as a digital model (or series of possible models).
In its communication, the facial approximation must demonstrate that there is some uncertainty and that a similarity of appearance should be enough to prompt a response. It is a two-way form of communication: we present an idea in the hope of eliciting a response. Our goal is to provide a respectful conclusion to a life and to understand how it came to end.
