Interpolating between computerized three-dimensional forensic facial simulations

The shape of the skull is a lJmiled predictor of facial appeannce and facial reconslJ1.lction methods can offer at best a resemblance to the indi vidual durin~ Iif~ . Vm-ious unknown factors in addition to those relating to age, buiiJ, obesity, ethnic group, and the varying shape of the eyes, nose, and mOllth mean that a va.!'iety of facia] reconstl1.lctiDns could be produced from any single slcull. A disadvant3g~ of both traditional "plasric" facial reconstruction melhods and existing computerized equivalents is tlIat the finished reconstl1.lcriolJ is fixed and substantial furtller work is requir~J if a modified ou,come is to be presented. An advaI1lage of computeri zation is thal if offers a greater poteI1lial for easy revision of images. Here we describe a method for interpolating OJ "morplling" between virtual images 01 facial reconstructions produced using the "plastic'; technique which enables the interacti ve fatten.ing of tile race in three dimensions. Morphing is acl1ieveJ using qmolj, a demon strati on program, and using lhe interpolator node of virtual reality modeling language (VRl\1L).