Forensic facial reconstruction: an anthropometric study of the ear

Abstract

ABSTRACT The recognition of an individual, supported by forensic facial reconstruction (FFR), can be established using several anatomical references, such as soft tissue thickness, position, and size of the eyes, nose, lips, and ears. The inclusion of additional visual inputs to the process, such as the ear, can refine an individual’s appearance. However, to the best of our knowledge, existing methods are scarce and undertested. To improve recognition, this study aimed to verify the size, position, and inclination of the ears, and their possible relationship with the skull. Ninety-nine research participants (55 females and 44 males) aged between 18 and 65 years were evaluated. Direct (on research participants) and indirect (photographs) measurements were performed using imaging software. Eighteen relationships were tested to determine their sizes, inclinations, and positions with respect to other cranial structures. It can be concluded that considering both length and width, the male ear is larger than the female ear, and based on the angle between the superaurale and otobasion inferius line and the Frankfurt plane, the ear inclination is 73º for both sexes. In addition, the upper portion of the ear coincides with the eyebrows. These references can help determine the characteristics of the ear during FFR.