Claims:
1. A method of obtaining facial landmark information, the method including: determining a height of a skull apex relative to a mentalis; and determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
2. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in claim 1, in which determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes determining the positions of facial landmarks along a mid- saggital plane.
3. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in claim 2, in which determining the positions of facial landmarks along the mid-saggital plane includes determining the position of a nasion.
4. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which determining the positions of facial landmarks along the mid- saggital plane includes determining the position of a sub-nasion.
5. The method obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 inclusive, in which determining the positions of facial landmarks along the mid-saggital plane includes determining the position of a stomion.
6. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 inclusive, in which determining the positions of facial landmarks along the mid-saggital plane includes determining the position of a sub-labialis.
7. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which further includes determining an angle of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces when the mouth is closed relative to a reference line.
8. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in claim 7, in which determining an angle of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces relative to a reference line when the mouth is closed includes determining an angle of a plane extending between the occlusal surfaces relative to the horizontal when the mouth is closed.
9. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which further includes recording facial land mark information corresponding to the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis and the positions of the facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis, together with an identity of a person from which the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis and the positions of the facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis was derived.
10. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in claim 9, in which recording the facial land mark information together with the identity of the person includes storing the facial land mark information together with the identity of the person at a remote repository.
11. The method of obtaining facial landmark information as claimed in claim 10, in which storing the facial land mark information together with the identity of the person at a remote repository includes storing the facial land mark information together with the identity of the person at a remote repository in a digital database.
12. A facial landmark-measuring device which includes: measuring means for determining a height of a skull apex relative to a mentalis; and measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
13. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 12, which further includes an elongate support on which the measuring means for determining the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis and the measuring means for determining the positions of the facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis are carried.
14. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 13, in which the measuring means for determining the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis includes a base member carried on the elongate support and a carriage displaceably mounted on the elongate support to be displaceable along the elongate support.
15. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 14, in which the base member is arranged to be located immediately adjacent a person's mentalis and the carriage is arranged to be displaced along the elongate support while the base member is located immediately adjacent the mentalis, so as to measure the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis.
16. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, in which the elongate support defines measurement indices so that the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis can be determined from the measurement indices.
17. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 inclusive, in which the measuring means for determining the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis further includes an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
18. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 17, in which the elongate member is displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support.
19. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 18, in which the elongate member defines measurement indices so that a distance from the apex of the skull to a position relative to the elongate support can be determined from the measurement indices.
20. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19 inclusive, in which the measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis is arranged to determine the positions of the facial landmarks along a mid-saggital plane.
21. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 20, in which the measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes measuring means for determining the position of a nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
22. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 21, in which the measuring means for determining the position of the nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes a carriage displaceably mounted on the support to be displaceable along the support.
23. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 22, in which the measuring means for determining the position of the nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis further includes an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
24. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 23, in which the elongate member is displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support member.
25. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 24, in which the elongate member defines measurement indices so that a distance from the nasion to a position relative to the elongate support can be determined from the measurement indices.
26. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 25 inclusive, in which the measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes measuring means for determining the position of a sub-nasion.
27. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 26, in which the measuring means for determining the position of the sub-nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes a carriage displaceably mounted on the elongate support to be displaceable along the elongate support.
28. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 27, in which the measuring means for determining the position of the sub-nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis further includes an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
29. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 28, in which the elongate member is displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support.
30. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 29, in which the elongate member defines measurement indices so that a distance from the sub- nasion to a position relative to the elongate support can be determined from the measurement indices.
31. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 30 inclusive, in which the measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes measuring means for determining the position of a stomion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
32. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 31, in which the measuring means for determining the position of the stomion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes a carriage displaceably mounted on the elongate support to be displaceable along the elongate support.
33. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 32, in which the measuring means for determining the position of the stomion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis further includes an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
34. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 33, in which the elongate member is displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support.
35. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 34, in which the elongate member defines measurement indices so that a distance from the stomion to a position relative to the support member can be determined from the measurement indices.
36. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, in which the measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes measuring means for determining an angle of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces, when the mouth is closed, relative to a reference line.
37. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 36, in which the reference line is the horizontal.
38. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 36 or claim 37, in which the measuring means for determining an angle of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces, when the mouth is closed, includes a mouth insert arranged to be located between the teeth when the mouth is closed.
39. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 38, in which the mouth insert is pivotally mounted at a free end of the elongate member of the measuring means for determining the position of the stomion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
40. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 30 inclusive, in which the measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes measuring means for determining the position of a sub-labialis relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
41. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 40, in which the measuring means for determining the position of the sub-labialis relative to the skull apex and the mentalis includes a carriage displaceably mounted on the elongate support to be displaceable along the elongate support.
42. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 41, in which the measuring means for determining the position of the sub-labialis relative to the skull apex and the mentalis further includes an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
43. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 42, in which the elongate member is displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support.
44. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in claim 43, in which the elongate member defines measurement indices so that a distance from the sub- labialis to a position relative to the elongate support can be determined from the measurement indices.
45. The facial landmark measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 44 inclusive, which defines a seat on which a spirit level can be seated.
46. An identification system including: a repository of information which links measurements of a height of a ■ skull apex relative to a mentalis of different individ als and measurements of positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
47. The identification system as claimed in claim 46, in which the repository of information links measured positions of a nasion of different individuals relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
48. The identification system as claimed in claim 46 or claim 47, in which the repository of information links measured positions of a sub-nasion of different individuals relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
49. The identification system as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 48 inclusive, in which the repository of information links measured positions of a stomium of different individuals relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
50. The identification system as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 49 inclusive, in which the repository of information links measured positions of a sub-labialis of different individuals relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
51. The identification system as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 50 inclusive, in which the repository of information links measured positions of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces when the mouth is closed relative to a reference line of different individuals to the identity of the individuals.
52. The identification system as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 51 inclusive, in which the repository of information is in the form of a digital information storage device.
53. The identification system as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 52 inclusive, in which the repository of information is in the form of a digital database.
54. A method of obtaining facial landmark information substantially as herein described and illustrated.
55. A facial landmark-measuring device substantially as herein described and illustrated.
56. An identification system substantially as herein described and illustrated. |
Title:
A facial landmarkmeasuring device.
Field of the invention: The invention relates to a facial landmark measuring device. In particular, the invention relates to a method of obtaining facial landmark information, to a facial landmark measuring device and to an identification system.
Background of the invention: In the field of forensics, it is often required to determine the identity of a person associated with a corpse, skeletal remains, or the like, for example. Traditional methods of determining the identity of a person post-mortem include making use of fingerprints, dental records, and the like, recorded ante-mortem. .
In the case where the identity of a person is to be determined where fingerprints from a corpse are unavailable, such as in the case of a burn victim, and the teeth have been damaged, such as in the case of severe accident, establishing the identity can be arduous and in some cases virtually impossible. In particular, where the identity of a person is to be determined from skeletal remains and the teeth have been severely damaged, establishing the identity can be extremely difficult and in some cases virtually impossible.
It is an object of the invention to provide an identification system for recording facial landmark information ante-mortem, so as to enhance available information related to individual people thereby to assist in determining the identity of a person post-mortem.
Although the invention will be described with reference to determining the identity of a person post-mortem, it will be appreciated that the scope of application of the invention is not to be limited to this only, but extends to other fields, such as the field of security in establishing the identity of a person for admitting access, or the like, for example.
Summary of the invention:
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of obtaining facial landmark information, the method including determining a height of a skull apex relative to a mentalis and determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
Determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include determining the positions of facial landmarks along a mid-saggital plane.
Determining the positions of facial landmarks along the mid-saggital plane may include determining the position of a nasion.
Determining the positions of facial landmarks along the mid-saggital plane may include determining the position of a sub-nasion.
Determining the positions of facial landmarks along the mid-saggital plane may include determining the position of a stomion.
Determining the positions of facial landmarks along the mid-saggital plane may include determining the position of a sub-labialis.
The method may further include determining an angle of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces relative to a reference line, when the mouth is closed.
Determining an angle of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces relative to a reference line when the mouth is closed may include determining an angle of a plane extending between the occlusal surfaces relative to the horizontal when the mouth is closed.
The method may further include recording facial land mark information corresponding to the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis and the positions of the facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis, together with an identity of a person from which the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis and the positions of the facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis was derived.
Recording the facial land mark information together with the identity of the person may include storing the facial land mark information together with the identity of the person at a remote repository.
Storing the facial land mark information together with the identity of the person at a remote repository may include storing the facial land mark information together with the identity of the person at a remote repository in a digital database.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a facial landmark measuring device which includes measuring means for determining a height of a skull apex relative to a mentalis and measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
The facial landmark measuring device may further include an elongate support on which the measuring means for determining the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis and the measuring means for determining the positions of the facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis are carried.
The measuring means for determining the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis may include a base member carried on the elongate support and a carriage displaceably mounted on the elongate support to be displaceable along the elongate support.
The base member may be arranged to be located immediately adjacent a person's mentalis and the carriage may be arranged to be displaced along the elongate support while the base member is located immediately adjacent the mentalis, so as to measure the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis.
The elongate support may define measurement indices so that the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis can be determined from the measurement indices.
The measuring means for determining the height of the skull apex relative to the mentalis may further include an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
The elongate member may be displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support.
The elongate member may define measurement indices so that a distance from the apex of the skull to a position relative to the elongate support can be determined from the measurement indices.
The measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may be arranged to determine the positions of the facial landmarks along a mid-saggital plane.
The measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include measuring means for determining the position of a nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
The measuring means for determining the position of the nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include a carriage displaceably mounted on the support to be displaceable along the support.
The measuring means for determining the position of the nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may further include an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
The elongate member may be displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support member.
The elongate member may define measurement indices so that a distance from the nasion to a position relative to the elongate support can be determined from the measurement indices.
The measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include measuring means for determining the position of a sub-nasion.
The measuring means for determining the position of the sub-nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include a carriage displaceably mounted on the elongate support to be displaceable along the elongate support.
The measuring means for determining the position of the sub-nasion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may further include an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
The elongate member may be displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support.
The elongate member may define measurement indices so that a distance from the sub-nasion to a position relative to the elongate support can be determined from the measurement indices.
The measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include measuring means for determining the position of a stomion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
The measuring means for determining the position of the stomion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include a carriage displaceably mounted on the elongate support to be displaceable along the elongate support.
The measuring means for determining the position of the stomion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may further include an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
The elongate member may be displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support.
The elongate member may define measurement indices so that a distance from the stomion to a position relative to the support member can be determined from the measurement indices.
The measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include measuring means for determining an angle of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces, when the mouth is closed, relative to a reference line.
The reference line may be the horizontal.
The measuring means for determining an angle of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces, when the mouth is closed, may include a mouth insert arranged to be located between the teeth when the mouth is closed.
The mouth insert may be pivotally mounted at a free end of the elongate member of the measuring means for determining the position of the stomion relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
The measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include measuring means for determining the position of a sub-labialis relative to the skull apex and the mentalis.
The measuring means for determining the position of the sub-labialis relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may include a carriage displaceably mounted on the elongate support to be displaceable along the elongate support.
The measuring means for determining the position of the sub-labialis relative to the skull apex and the mentalis may further include an elongate member displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage.
The elongate member may be displaceably mounted on the carriage so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the elongate support.
The elongate member may define measurement indices so that a distance from the sub-labialis to a position relative to the elongate support can be determined from the measurement indices.
The facial landmark measuring device may define a seat on which a spirit level can be seated.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an identification system including a repository of information which links measurements of a height of a skull apex relative to a mentalis of different individulals and measurements of positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
The repository of information may link measured positions of a nasion of different individuals relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
The repository of information may link measured positions of a sub-nasion of different individuals relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
The repository of information may link measured positions of a stomium of different individuals relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
The repository of information may link measured positions of a sub-labialis of different individuals relative to the skull apex and the mentalis of the individuals to the identity of the individuals.
The repository of information may link measured positions of a plane extending between occlusal surfaces relative to a reference line when the mouth is closed of different individuals to the identity of the individuals.
The repository of information may be in the form of a digital information storage device. The repository of information may be in the form of a digital database.
Brief Description of the drawings:
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a facial landmark measuring device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows, at a diminished scale, a schematic side view of the facial landmark measuring device along arrow II in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows, at a diminished scale, a schematic side view of the facial landmark measuring device along arrow III in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 A shows, at an enlarged scale, an end view of an elongate member displaceably mounted on a carriage, so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage, of the facial landmark measuring device shown in the preceding Figures;
Figure 3B shows, at an enlarged scale, an end view of an elongate member displaceably mounted on a carriage, so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage, in accordance with another embodiment of the facial landmark measuring device shown in the preceding Figures;
Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of the facial landmark measuring device shown in Figures 1 to 3A, being used in a method of obtaining facial landmark information in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 5 shows a schematic view of an identification system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of preferred embodiments:
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 3 A, of the drawings, a facial landmark measuring device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
The facial landmark measuring device 10 includes measuring means for determining a height of a skull apex relative to a mentalis, as generally indicated by reference numeral 12. In Figure 4, the skull apex is indicated at 52 and the mentalis is indicated at 54. The facial landmark measuring device 10 further includes measuring means for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex 52 and the mentalis 54, as generally indicated by reference numeral 14.
The device 10 includes an elongate support, or support member 16, on which the measuring means 12 and the measuring means 14 are carried.
The measuring means 12 for determining the height of the skull apex 52 relative to the mentalis 54 includes a base member 18 carried on the support 16 and a carriage 20 displaceably mounted on the support 16 to be displaceable along the support 16 as indicated by arrows AA.
As can best be seen with reference to Figure 4 of the drawings, the base member
18 is arranged to be located immediately adjacent a person's mentalis 54. The carriage
20 is arranged to be displacable along the support 16, as indicated by arrows AA, while the base member 18 is located immediately adjacent the mentalis 54, so as to measure the height Yl of the apex of the skull 52 relative to the mentalis 54.
The support 16 defines measurement indices 16.1 so that the height of the apex of the skull 52 relative to the mentalis 54 can be determined from the measurement indices 16.1. The measurement indices 16.1 are arranged in a groove 15 extending along the support 16. Accordingly, the measurement indices 16.1 are protected from wear.
The measuring means 12 for determining the height Yl of the skull apex 52 relative to the mentalis 54 further includes an elongate member 22. The elongate member
22 is displaceably mounted on the carriage 20 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 20 as indicated by arrows BB. The elongate member 22 is displaceably mounted on the carriage 20 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable in the direction of arrows BB relative to the carriage 20 generally perpendicularly relative to the elongate support member 16. The elongate member 22 defines measurement indices 22.1 so that a distance Xl from the apex of the skull to a position relative to the support member 16 can be determined from the measurement indices 22.1.
The measuring means 14 for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex 52 and the mentalis 54 are arranged to determine facial landmarks relative to the skull apex 52 and the mentalis 54 along a mid-saggital plane.
The measuring means 14 includes measuring means, generally indicated by reference numeral 14.1, for determining the position of a nasion 56. The measuring means 14.1 includes a carriage 24 displaceably mounted on the support 16 to be displaceable along the support 16 as indicated by arrows CC. The measuring means 14.1 further includes an elongate member 26 displaceably mounted on the carriage 24 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 24 as indicated by arrows DD. The elongate member 26 is displaceably mounted on the carriage 24 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 24, as indicated by arrows DD, generally perpendicularly relative to the elongate support member 16.
The elongate member 26 defines measurement indices 26.1 so that a distance X2 from the nasion 56 to a position relative to the support member 16 can be determined from the measurement indices 26.1. A height Y2 is determinable from the measurement indices 16.1 on the support 16.
The measuring means 14 includes measuring means, generally indicated by reference numeral 14.2, for determining the position of a sub-nasion 58. The measuring means 14.2 includes a carriage 28 displaceably mounted on the support 16 to be displaceable along the support 16 as indicated by arrows EE. The measuring means 14.2 further includes an elongate member 30 displaceably mounted on the carriage 28 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 28 as indicated by arrows FF. The elongate member 30 is displaceably mounted on the carriage 28 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 28, as indicated by arrows FF, generally perpendicularly relative to the elongate support member 16.
The elongate member 30 defines measurement indices 30.1 so that a distance X3 from the sub-nasion 58 to a position relative to the support member 16 can be determined from the measurement indices 30.1. A height Y3 is determinable from the measurement indices 16.1 on the support 16.
The measuring means 14 includes measuring means, generally indicated by reference numeral 14.3, for determining the position of a stomion 60. The measuring means 14.3 includes a carriage 32 displaceably mounted on the support 16 to be displaceable along the support 16 as indicated by arrows GG. The measuring means 14.3 further includes an elongate member 34 displaceably mounted on the carriage 32 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 32 as indicated by arrows HH. The elongate member 34 is displaceably mounted on the carriage 32 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 32, as indicated by arrows HH, generally perpendicularly relative to the elongate support member 16.
The elongate member 34 defines measurement indices 34.1 so that a distance X4 from the stomion 60 to a position relative to the support member 16 can be determined from the measurement indices 34.1. A height Y4 is determinable from the measurement indices 16.1 on the support 16.
The measuring means 14 for determining the positions of facial landmarks relative to the skull apex 52 and the mentalis 54 may include measuring means, generally indicated by reference numeral 14.4, for determining an angle 0 of a plane 36 extending between occlusal surfaces relative to a reference line, when the mouth is closed. The reference line may be the horizontal 38.
The measuring means 14.4 includes a mouth inseit 40 arranged to be located between the teeth when the mouth is closed. The mouth insert 40 is mounted at a free end 34.2 of the elongate member 32 for determining the position of the stomion 60.
The measuring means 14 includes measuring means, generally indicated by reference numeral 14.5, for determining the position of a sub-labialis 62. The measuring means 14.5 includes a carriage 42 displaceably mounted on the support 16 to be displaceable along the support 16 as indicated by arrows II. The measuring means 14.5 further includes an elongate member 44 displaceably mounted on the carriage 42 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 42 as indicated by arrows JJ. The elongate member 44 is displaceably mounted on the carriage 42 so as to be selectively extendable and retractable relative to the carriage 42, as indicated by arrows JJ, generally perpendicularly relative to the elongate support member 16.
The elongate member 44 defines measurement indices 44.1 so that a distance X5 from the sub-labialis 62 to a position relative to the support member 16 can be determined from the measurement indices 44.1. A height Y5 is determinable from the measurement indices 16.1 on the support 16.
Referring to Figure 3A of the drawings, each of the elongate members 26, 30, 34, 44 ride in a seat 46 defined on its associated carriage 24, 28, 32, 42. The seat 46 defines a surface 46.1 and opposed catch formations 46.2. The catch formations 46.2 are arranged to hold the elongate members 26, 30, 34, 44 laterally captive whilst permitting displacement in directions along the arrows DD, FF, HH, JJ respectively. Each carriage 24, 28, 32, 42 defines an internally screw-threaded aperture 46.3 extending therethrough
and an associated screw-threaded fastener 46.4 screw-threadedly received in the aperture 46.3. By selectively tightening the fastener 46.4, the elongate member 26, 30, 34, 44 can be locked in position in the seat 46. Furthermore, each carriage 24, 28, 32, 42 defines an internally screw-threaded aperture 46.5 extending therethrough and an associated screw- threaded fastener 46.6 screw-threadedly received in the aperture 46.5. By selectively tightening the fasteners 46.6, the carriages 24, 28, 32, 42 can be locked in position on the support 16. It will be appreciated that the mouth insert 40 mounted at the free end 34.2 of the elongate member 34 is provided with an appropriate arrangement for releasably locking the mouth insert 40 in position relative to the elongate member 34.
As can best be seen with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the seats 46 of each carriage 24, 28, 32, 42 faces in the same direction with the exception of the seat 46 on the carriage 20 which faces in a direction opposed to that of the seats of the other carriages 24, 28, 32, 42.
Referring to Figure 3B of the drawings, in another embodiment of the invention, each of the elongate members ride in a seat 48 defined on its associated carriage. The seat 48 defines a surface 48.1 and opposed catch formations 48.2. The catch formations 48.2 are arranged to hold the elongate members laterally captive whilst permitting longitudinal displacement. Whereas each catch formation 46.2 defines two surfaces extending from a ridge in opposed directions, each catch formation 48.2 defines a single surface extending across the surface 48.1.
The device 10 further defines a seat 49 on which a spirit level (not shown) can be seated so that measurements, in use, can be determined relative ' to the horizontal.
It will be appreciated that the device 10 is formed with strict tolerances to ensure accurate measurements. The device 10 can be formed from aluminium where appropriate. The device 10 can be formed from extruded aluminium sections, where appropriate.
In use, and as can best be seen with reference to Figure 4 of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, unless otherwise stated, the device 10 is positioned such that the base member 18 is located under the mentalis 52. Typically, a spirit level (not shown) releaseably mounted on the seat 49, is used to maintain the device 10 at a constant attitude while measurements are being derived. The carriage 20 and its associated elongate member 22 are then positioned on the support 16 such that an extreme free end of the elongate member 22 abuts against the apex of the skull 50.
The carriages 24, 28, 32, 42 and their associated elongate members 26, 30, 34, 44 are then adjusted such that extreme free ends of the elongate members 26, 30, 34, 44 abut against the nasion, sub-nasion, stomion and sub-labialis respectively, while the mouth insert 40 is held in the mouth between the teeth when the mouth is closed. The screw- threaded fasteners 46.4 screw-threadedly received in the apertures 46.3 are then tightened to lock the elongate elements 26, 30, 34, 44 in position in their associated seats on the carriages. The screw-threaded fasteners 46.6 screw-threadedly received in the apertures 46.5 are tightened to lock the carriages 24, 28, 32, 42 in position on the support 16. The mouth insert 40 is locked in position relative to the elongate member 34.
Measurements can then be obtained from the device 10. From the device 10 the positions of the apex of the skull 50 (Xl, Yl), the nasion 56 (X2, Y2), the sub-nasion 58 (X3, Y3) , the stomium 60 (X4, Y4), the sub-labialis 62 (X5, Y5) and the angle 0 of the plane 36 extending between the occlusal surfaces when the mouth is closed relative to the horizontal, is obtained relative to a point of reference. It has been found that such measurements vary from person to person and can be used for post mortem identification, security access control, and the like, for example.
These measurements can then be recorded ante-mortem together with an identity of a person from which the measured information was derived.
With reference to Figure 5 of the drawings, recording the measured information associated with the facial landmarks together with an identity of a person from which the measured information was derived typically includes storing the measured information together with the identity of a person from which the measured information was derived at a remote repository, such as in a digital database, or the like. This can be achieved by entering the measured information, together with the identity of an associated person, at a computer terminal 110. The information can then be uploaded from the computer terminal 110 onto a database 112 at a remote location. In this way, facial landmark measurements associated with the identities of different people can be gathered.
Thereafter, should the identity of a corpse, or skeletal remains, wish to be determined, the device 10 can be used to derive the facial landmark measurements as described above. The information can then be entered at any computer terminal, such as the computer terminal 114. The database 112 can then be accessed from the terminal 114 so as to compare the measurements with recorded measurements on the database 1 12. Should the measurements correspond to measurements on the database derived ante- mortem, the identity of the person can then be obtained from the database 110.
It will be appreciated that the facial landmark information described above can be obtained by means other than the device 10. For example, scanning techniques can be used to obtain the facial landmark information.
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