Facial Approximation by NCMEC Forensic Artist Joe Mullins is in the Smithsonian!

  • / Blog / Facial Approximation by NCMEC Forensic Artist Joe Mullins is in the Smithsonian!

There are so many talented forensic artists working in the United States, and I love it when they get some exposure, especially on a national level. So, for the next 10 years, this exhibit will be at the Smithsonian, featuring the facial approximation work of
Joe Mullins, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Exhibit at the Smithsonian showing mummified remains being CT scanned.

 

The child's facial approximation created in "virtual clay" by forensic artist Joe Mullins

 You’ll need to turn the volume way up on this video, but it’s a short clip of Joe explaining the process of how skull data is captured by a CT scanner, then uploaded into a “virtual clay” sculpting system. From there, he can sculpt in the muscles, features and flesh on an unidentified victim, without ever having to touch the skull.

 

Once the sculpture in completed in the computer, then it will be exported to a rapid prototyping machine to be “printed” in a durable resin material, as shown in the middle image. It’s facinating technology, and eliminates the need to put clay directly on the skull which might damage it. The next time you’re in Washington DC, make sure you check it out.

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