@misc{10481/111206,
year = {2025},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/111206},
abstract = {Facial soft tissue thickness is a key parameter in forensic craniofacial identification, reflecting the anatomical
relationship between the skull and the overlying soft tissues. This study characterizes the spatial correspondence
between cranial (craniometric) and facial (cephalometric) landmarks in a Spanish adult population through a
three-dimensional vector-based approach applied to computed tomography data. CT scans from 459 healthy
individuals (264 males, 195 females; aged 18–60 years) were analyzed. A total set of 12 cephalometric and
craniometric landmarks were selected. For each pair of landmarks, the spatial coordinates (X, Y, Z) were
extracted and used to compute vectors describing both the orientation and direction in space, as well as the
distance corresponding to soft tissue thickness between bone and skin. Statistically significant sex differences
were found for most landmarks, but only four exceeded the measurement error threshold. The 3D vectorial
approach provides a comprehensive representation of craniofacial spatial relationships beyond linear measurements,
allowing a more precise understanding of tissue distribution and landmark orientation. This study presents
the first vector-based facial soft tissue thickness reference dataset for the Spanish population, enhancing the
accuracy of craniofacial identification and its integration into computational and AI-based forensic applications.},
organization = {R&D project CONFIA (grant PID2021–122916NB-I00), funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/ 5011000 11033/ and by EDRF/EU.},
publisher = {Elsevier},
title = {A 3D vector-based approach to facial soft tissue–cranial relationships for forensic identification in the Spanish population},
doi = {10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112802},
author = {Navarro Merino, Fernando Jesús and Martos, Rubén and Damas Arroyo, Sergio and Alemán Aguilera, María Inmaculada},
}