DNA sample may be enough to build an image of your face

[n2doc]

DICK AHLSTROM, Science Editor, in Chicago

FORENSIC SCIENCE is about to take a startling new turn – reconstructing facial features and skin tone simply by reading your DNA. This goes far beyond doing an identity-proving genetic fingerprint, it means the person’s actual face will emerge after analysing a collection of genes, according to a scientist from Pennsylvania State University.

The process, “forensic molecular photofitting” relies on mapping genes that are linked to skin pigmentation and in its more complex form, to groups of genes that control facial structure, stated Dr Mark Shriver.

The approach has already been used to help identify and convict a serial killer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr Shriver said over the weekend at a presentation to the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Chicago.

The session was chaired by Ireland’s chief scientific adviser, Prof Patrick Cunningham.

more:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2009/0216/1233867939011.html

[ThomWV]

1. You mean all these years had no effect at all

The army years and the monsoons, the construction years and the blinding south florida sun, the fishing years with the salt and the sun, and all these later years making a living in the mountains. All of this and the face I thought those years produced was lurking in there, subject to no more than near random strings of information to produce this grizzeled mess?

[soothsayer]

3. ooh, i hope mine's a bit thinner!

[rocktivity]

2. Well, I saw a TV about a case where a culprit's race was correctly guessed

by the DNA sample.

rocktivity
:wow:

[Fleshdancer]

4. I would love to see a few comparisons

I assume this has been done several times in testing to see how accurate it is. I wish we could see a few generated images compared with the actual person.