Used by forensic scientists for nearly three decades, DNA is considered by many in the law enforcement field as the most reliable physical evidence at a crime scene.
But there are still mysteries of DNA to unlock, and one new study looks at the possibility of using genetic material for predictive modeling of faces to aid in criminal investigations, among other things.
“We show that facial variation with regard to sex, ancestry, and genes can be systematically studied with our methods, allowing us to lay the foundation for predictive modeling of faces,” wrote co-authors Mark Shriver, Pennsylvania State University, and Peter Claes, Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, in their research paper, “Modeling 3D Facial Shape from DNA,” published last week in PLOS Genetics.
“Such predictive modeling could be forensically useful,” they continued. “For example, DNA left at crime scenes could be tested and faces predicted in order to help to narrow the pool of potential suspects. Further, our methods could be used to predict the facial features of descendants, deceased ancestors, and even extinct human species.”
The researchers used a stereoscopic camera to capture 3D images of almost 600 volunteers from populations with mixed European and West African ancestry in the study. Volunteers also underwent testing to identify known genetic variants in genes that cause facial abnormalities when mutated.
After using their model to control for the effects of sex and ancestry, researchers found 24 variants in 20 different genes that seemed to be useful predictors of facial shape.
The results held promise, but more work is necessary. The researchers plan to run larger studies in different populations to confirm that the variants found so far are statistically reliable. They also hope to find more genetic variants that affect facial structure.
However, with time, the technology holds potential. "I believe that in five to 10 years' time, we will be able to computationally predict a face," Claes told New Scientist.
While the method isn’t ready for use by forensics scientists in a crime lab yet, Shriver is working with police in Pennsylvania to see if the method can help find the perpetrator in two serial rape cases. The results are not admissible in court, but law enforcement hopes they can help them identify potential suspects.
Edited by
Cassandra Tucker
