DATA ACQUISITION POSSIBILITIES FOR FACE RECONSTRUCTION PURPOSE 
P.Schrott, Gy. Szabo, K.Fekete 
Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Photogrammetry and Geoinformatics 
H-1111, Budapest, Muegyetem rkp. 3. Hungary 
- schrott.peter@fmt.bme.hu, gyszabo@eik.bme.hu, feketekaroly@mail.bme.hu 
Commission V, WG V/6 
KEY WORDS: Close Range, Three-dimensional, Biometrics, Scanner, Computer Tomography, Face reconstruction 
ABSTRACT: 
A new multidisciplinary project extending over a number of years was initiated in Hungary to combine knowledgebases of different 
disciplines like anthropology, medical, mechanical, archaeological sciences etc. to computerize the face reconstruction.. A research 
group (BME Cooperation Research Center for Biomechanics) was formed representing several organizations that are cooperateing 
during the project period. In this paper we will show the first results of our work: the examination of the possible data gathering 
methods from special aspects. First the data collecting method has to be able to produce geometric 3D data of the cranium of 
damaged/mummified subjects. Second, the software development requires huge dataset of 3D face and skull models, which could 
be produced from living persons, so the method have to be capable to mass data collection. Since any modification of the process 
during the gathering period can result inhomogeneous database, the accuracy and the feasibility of the measuring methods is highly 
important. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
Facial reconstruction is the process of reproducing the geometry 
of faces of unidentified persons from skeletal remains. Recently 
the most widespread face reconstruction methods are used by 
highly qualified and experienced anthropologists and based on 
artistic tools supported by scientific methods. (Kustar, 2004) 
The first step is anthropological investigation, by which the 
anthropologist estimates the age and sex of the person, observes 
individual characteristics, possible illnesses and injuries, and 
carry out morphometric measurements on the cranium. 
The reconstruction usually starts with making a gypsum copy of 
the skull. The thickness of soft tissues at the most important 
anthropological landmarks is estimated based on the roughness 
of the bone surface and/or on statistical data. The mimic 
muscles are made of plastilin or clay, the eyes are of marbles 
and the nose is formed from paraffin or wax. (Figure. 1.) 
In the last decades more and more researchers turned to 
computer technology to make the reconstruction process easier 
and more reliable. Virtual 3D models of a face can be modified, 
measured or compared easily, but the available face 
reconstruction softwares are still in their infancy. These 
softwares are modifications of common 3D modelling softwares 
but there are very limited or no facial data and anthropological 
relationship implemented in them - they are “virtual clay sets”, 
and for correct operation they still need the specialists’ 
knowledgebase and experience. The BME Cooperation 
Research Centre for Biomechanics aims to create a face 
reconstruction software based on statistical samples (3D face 
and skull models of 4000 living person) and guided by defined 
mathematical correlations between the skull and the face 
geometry. 
2. ANALYSIS OF DATA GATHERING TECHNIQUES 
The possible data collection technologies for face 
reconstruction (and for the software development for the same 
purpose) are: Computer Tomography, X-ray, different types of 
3D scanners and photogrammetry. Combinations of the 
mentioned technologies are able to produce 3D models from 
dry and ‘living’ skulls, cadavers and living heads, mummies etc. 
2.1 X-ray 
Traditional X-ray is a possible technology for obtaining data for 
face reconstruction. To evaluate X-ray images reference points 
in the object space with known position are needed, and such 
points are mapped on the images in an identifiable and 
measurable manner. We designed an X-ray test field containing 
X-ray opaque point-type markers embedded in a material 
invisible for the X-ray. 
Figure 1. . Basic steps of face reconstruction (Kustâr, 2004)