The relationship between biological parameters and facial soft tissue thickness measured by ultrasound and its forensic implications

Abstract

Facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) data are currently widely used in forensic and medical science. In the forensic sciences, they form the basis for craniofacial reconstruction and identification methods. Since there are few FSTT data in the Slovak population, this study aims to enrich the data in well-defined age categories, taking into account differences between sexes and body mass index (BMI). The sample consisted of 127 participants aged 17 to 86 years from Slovakia. In addition to biological sex and age information, stature and body weight were recorded to calculate BMI. Subsequently, 17 facial anthropometric landmarks were used to measure FSTT using a noninvasive General Electric LOGIQe R7 ultrasound device. The mean values of FSTT were greater in the mouth region in males and in the zygomatic and eye regions in females. Differences between males and females, regardless of sex and BMI, were significant only at two landmarks. When BMI and age were taken into account, there were differences in 12 of 17 landmarks. Linear regression results showed the strongest correlation of most landmarks with BMI, followed by age and sex. When the FSTT was estimated in association with sex/age/BMI, landmarks in the zygomatic, mandibular, and frontal regions were the best regressors. The results of the present study demonstrate that B-mode ultrasound measurements of FSTT can be used in facial reconstruction as a function of BMI, age, and sex of the subject. Furthermore, the present regression equations can help practitioners in the forensic/medical field to calculate individual tissue thickness.