This work was presented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 24, 2005, in New Orleans, LA.
1556-4029/asset/JFO_centre.gif?v=1&s=cb01b17592beaa23e3868f407a3a84173cff67e6)
1556-4029/asset/JFO_right.gif?v=1&s=e0b177c62632ea2f62c2f9c54d4b0556019a23a7)
GrinLine Identification Using Digital Imaging and Adobe Photoshop†
Article first published online: 2 FEB 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00971.x
© 2009 American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Additional Information
How to Cite
Bollinger, S. A., Brumit, P. C., Schrader, B. A. and Senn, D. R. (2009), GrinLine Identification Using Digital Imaging and Adobe Photoshop. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 54: 422–427. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00971.x
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 24 FEB 2009
- Article first published online: 2 FEB 2009
- Received 17 Mar. 2008; and in revised form 4 May 2008; accepted 1 June 2008.
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- forensic science;
- odontology;
- photographic comparison;
- forensic identification;
- digital imaging;
- GrinLine
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to outline a method by which an antemortem photograph of a victim can be critically compared with a postmortem photograph in an effort to facilitate the identification process. Ten subjects, between 27 and 55 years old provided historical pictures of themselves exhibiting a broad smile showing anterior teeth to some extent (a grin). These photos were termed “antemortem” for the purpose of the study. A digital camera was used to take a current photo of each subject’s grin. These photos represented the “postmortem” images. A single subject’s “postmortem” photo set was randomly selected to be the “unknown victim.” These combined data of the unknown and the 10 antemortem subjects were digitally stored and, using Adobe Photoshop software, the images were sized and oriented for comparative analysis. The goal was to devise a technique that could facilitate the accurate determination of which “antemortem” subject was the “unknown.” The generation of antemortem digital overlays of the teeth visible in a grin and the comparison of those overlays to the images of the postmortem dentition is the foundation of the technique. The comparisons made using the GrinLine Identification Technique may assist medical examiners and coroners in making identifications or exclusions.