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Superimposition technique for skull identification with Afloat® software

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Abstract

The craniofacial superimposition technique is still an important way of identifying skulls when there is no reference sample for a forensic DNA analysis, when DNA typing from remaining tissue samples has failed, or when antemortem dental records are not available. Through the widespread use of digital photography, the probability of portrait photographs of the missing person being available for comparison is reasonably high. We present a superimposition technique that is inexpensive, since it uses a free software tool compatible with the soft-and hardware components already being used in many facilities. Into the bargain, this technique yields high-quality results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Legal Medicine, University of Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 58, 35392, Giessen, Germany

    Christoph G. Birngruber, Jonathan Krähahn & Marcel A. Verhoff

  2. Institute of Forensic Anthropology, Kronzenborner Weg 14, 35435, Wettenberg, Germany

    Kerstin Kreutz

  3. Department of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

    Frank Ramsthaler

Authors
  1. Christoph G. Birngruber
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  2. Kerstin Kreutz
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  3. Frank Ramsthaler
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  4. Jonathan Krähahn
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  5. Marcel A. Verhoff
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcel A. Verhoff.

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Birngruber, C.G., Kreutz, K., Ramsthaler, F. et al. Superimposition technique for skull identification with Afloat® software. Int J Legal Med 124, 471–475 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-010-0494-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-010-0494-9

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