Facial approximation for identification purposes: soft tissue thickness in a Caucasian population. Sex- and age-related variations.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to collect soft tissue thickness (STTs) values of an Italian population starting from 12 bone landmarks, to improve facial approximation process for identification purposes. 100 Italian adults (50 males and 50 females), who had undergone head CT for clinical purposes, were analysed in order to expand database of the Italian population. Average values, standard deviation and range were collected according to gender and age and the obtained values were statistically analysed in order to evaluate any possible significant difference. Only one landmark was statistically significant associated with the sex: females showed significantly higher value of parazygomaxillary. Two landmarks were statistically significant associated with age: upper incisor and pogonion. The obtained results were compared with the existing literature. Such information can be useful in forensic craniofacial reconstruction process and can allow to choose the most suitable STTs values according to osteological analysis of the human remains.