ASTM E3148-18
(Guide)Standard Guide for Postmortem Facial Image Capture
Standard Guide for Postmortem Facial Image Capture
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The protocols that exist for photographing a decedent’s face at autopsy for identification purposes (for example, NAME Forensic Autopsy Performance Standards) do not always result in the capture of facial images that can be used for automated FR searches or manual facial comparisons. It is not always feasible to collect fingerprints from decedents (for example, in disaster situations or when a decedent is in a state of advanced decomposition), and radiograph (medical or dental) comparison requires at least a presumptive identification of remains so appropriate comparative antemortem radiographs can be obtained to confirm the identification. If the decedent’s DNA or appropriate family reference DNA profiles are not already stored within a DNA repository (for example, the FBI’s CODIS), a DNA association will also require the presumptive identification of a decedent to ensure that appropriate samples are collected for comparison/association.
5.2 It is advisable to follow the guidelines presented in this guide even when not all facial components are present as even incomplete facial images can assist automated FR and manual facial comparison processes, especially through more accurate recording of minute facial details.
5.3 For the purpose of facial image capture, there are various perimortem or postmortem conditions or both that can degrade the usability of any facial images captured:
5.3.1 Presence of trauma (for example, entry/exit wounds, lacerations, bruising, missing components, etc.),
5.3.2 Obscuring matter (for example, blood, fluids, dirt, debris, hair, clothing accessories, and so forth), and
5.3.3 Decomposition and other postmortem changes (for example, bloating, mummification, skeletonization, evidence of insect or scavenger activity, etc.).
5.4 Before any attempt is made to clean or alter the decedent for facial image capture, nationally accepted standards or agency protocols or both should be followed so the alterations do not affect ...
SCOPE
1.1 The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for capturing postmortem facial images of human remains in controlled (for example, morgue) and semi-controlled (for example, field) settings to facilitate automated facial recognition (FR) searches or manual facial comparisons that could contribute to forensic investigations.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: E3148 − 18 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
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Postmortem Facial Image Capture
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3148; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope FISWG “Capture and Equipment Assessment for Facial
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Recognition Systems,” Revision 1.0 (2011.05.05)
1.1 The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines
ISO/IEC 19794-5 Biometric data interchange formats—Part
for capturing postmortem facial images of human remains in
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5: Face image data
controlled (for example, morgue) and semi-controlled (for
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NAME Forensic Autopsy Performance Standards
example, field) settings to facilitate automated facial recogni-
tion (FR) searches or manual facial comparisons that could
3. Terminology
contribute to forensic investigations.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.1 For digital and multimedia evidence examination
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
terms, see Terminology E2916.
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tion only and are not considered standard.
3.2.1 facial image capture, n—in facial identification, the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
process of collecting a biometric sample from an individual by
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
means of a sensor.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 3.3 Acronyms:
3.3.1 CODIS—Combined DNA Index System
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.3.2 DNA—Deoxyribonucleic acid
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.3.3 FBI—Federal Bureau of Investigation
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.3.4 FR—Facial recognition
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.3.5 ME/C—Medical examiner or coroner
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.3.6 SMT—Scars, marks, and tattoos
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Guide
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 FR searches can assist in generating potential candidates
E2916 Terminology for Digital and Multimedia Evidence
and investigative leads for the identification of unidentified
Examination
remains or connecting decedents to image galleries but, for the
2.2 Other Standards:
FR systems to operate properly, the images submitted must
ANSI/NIST-ITL-1-2011 Data Format for the Interchange of
meet certain criteria. This guide provides an overview of the
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Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information
optimal processes and techniques for the capture of postmor-
tem facial images of human remains to maximize their utility
in automated FR searches and manual facial image compari-
sons.
4.2 This guide is intended to supplement forensic autopsy
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
performance standards that medical examiners and coroners
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.12 on Digital and
Multimedia Evidence.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2018. Published March 2018. DOI: 10.1520/
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E3148-18. Available from Facial Identification Scientific Working Group, https://
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or fiswg.org.
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contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
the ASTM website. Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
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Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Available from National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), 362
Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov. Bristol Road, Walnut Shade, MO 65771, http://www.thename.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E3148 − 18
(ME/C) must meet for accreditation (for example, NAME 6.1.3 Recommendations are presented under the assumption
Forensic Autopsy Performance Standards or internal agency that all proper medicolegal investigation procedures have been
policies, or both) for proper postmortem examin
...
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