Determination of Soft Tissue Thickness of Face for Facial Reconstruction - An Autopsy Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Facial reconstruction aims to reconstruct the face of an unknown individual for identification. It is a process of recreating the face of a human being based on skull remains and can be used to identify otherwise unknown individuals or to reconstruct faces of historical figures. The measurement of facial soft tissue thickness is the basis of this method. The data obtained from various studies are charted and used as a guide for facial reconstruction. This study intended at determining the average soft tissue thickness of the face in 21 different points for the purpose of facial reconstruction in males and females. METHODS For the study, 144 cases belonging to the age of 21 to 60 years were brought for autopsy in the Department of Forensic medicine, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. They were divided into equal number of males and females. The soft tissue thickness was taken by needle puncture technique. Statistical analysis was done and the mean values in males and females and their age wise comparisons were obtained. Males and females showed strong positive correlation with age at certain points and the data obtained from this study provides a basis for facial reconstruction in the South Indian population. RESULTS Differences in mean values of general parameters and soft tissue thickness of face in different age groups and in both sexes and the coefficient of variation were also calculated at all points in both sexes. The mean values of height, weight were more in males than in females. The difference in the mean values of width of nose, width of forehead and the width of upper lip in females in different age groups was statistically significant. Among the soft tissue thicknesses at midline points of face, the difference in the mean values at the region of mid philtrum was statistically significant in males and females in different age groups. The difference in the mean values of soft tissue thickness in the lower lip in different age groups showed a statistical significance in males and females. Among the bilateral points of face, the difference in the mean values of soft tissue thickness of face in the region of right supraorbital, right and left gonion region showed a statistical significance in males in different age groups. In females, the left suborbital, right and left occlusal line and left mid zygomatic region showed a statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study gave a set of average soft tissue thickness of face at 21 different points for an accurate reproduction of the skull in the South Indian population. In this study, the soft tissue thickness at midline and bilateral points were established. Further research in this field of facial reconstruction should incorporate various components of facial anatomy using modern imaging technology. A statistical analysis of multiple variables including other landmarks and various characteristics of the face could open up more relationships and would eventually lead to much more precise reconstruction. KEY WORDS Soft Tissue Thickness; Facial Reconstruction; South Indian Population