RESEARCH TITLE: Human Identification: an investigation of 3D models of paranasal sinuses to establish a biological profile on a modern UK population

Abstract: Technology within forensic science has progressed so rapidly that trace evidence including DNA and fingerprints have become the bedrock of victim identification. However, when a body undergoes extreme damage such as in cases of arson, these methods of identification may not be possible. This research presents a new approach to human identification in forensic reconstruction investigations using three-dimensional (3D) models of the paranasal sinuses. Understanding biological patterns in both size and shape of the paranasal sinuses in relation to age, sex, and ancestry may assist with identification when other methods are not possible. This project is the first to develop an identification method based on a modern U.K. population. It was also the first to establish an automatic approach to producing 3D models of the sinuses in an accurate, replicable and time efficient manner using free and open software.