The age progression technique: Study and evaluation of the results

IF 1.3 4区医学 Q3 MEDICINE, LEGAL Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-03-16 DOI:10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102611

Laura Donato , Rossana Cecchi , Douglas H. Ubelaker , Jessika Camatti , Mark Davis , Anna Laura Santunione , Michele Treglia , Luigi Tonino Marsella

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Abstract

Age progression technique involves a reworking of the photo of a missing person in accordance with the guidelines drawn up by medical sciences on aging. Here we present the age progression of photos of individuals who are not missing persons, so the photos of their current appearance are available. The creation of age progressions in blind starting from photos of them as children made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the technique.

The age progression was carried out based on a photo of Individual A and Individual B. First, the study of the facial features defined the morphology according to the standard classification, then reference images characterized by morphologies consistent with those of the original image were searched for. Thanks to Adobe Photoshop 2023 software, the creation of a collage was made. Finally, the result was compared with the current photo of the individual.

The analysis of the two age progressions carried out gave different results. In the age progression of Individual A, the morphology of the facial features reveals similarities with slight errors in the comparison with his photo at 19 years old. Regarding the age progression of Individual B’s face, doubts were raised regarding both skin tone and haircut.

The positive and negative aspects found in these age progressions are of great importance in evaluating the accuracy of the results. Thanks to continuous practice, the age progression technique can be improved so that it can be a real support tool for the search for long-time missing persons.

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来源期刊

Legal Medicine Nursing-Issues, Ethics and Legal Aspects

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

6.70%

发文量

119

审稿时长

7.9 weeks

期刊介绍： Legal Medicine provides an international forum for the publication of original articles, reviews and correspondence on subjects that cover practical and theoretical areas of interest relating to the wide range of legal medicine. Subjects covered include forensic pathology, toxicology, odontology, anthropology, criminalistics, immunochemistry, hemogenetics and forensic aspects of biological science with emphasis on DNA analysis and molecular biology. Submissions dealing with medicolegal problems such as malpractice, insurance, child abuse or ethics in medical practice are also acceptable.