# Forensic facial reconstruction: A computer tomography study of facial soft tissue thickness in Nigerian adult male multi-ethnic population

## TL;DR

This study measures facial soft tissue thickness in Nigerian adult males to improve forensic facial reconstruction for this population.

## Contribution

Provides first FSTT data for Nigerian adult males, enabling more accurate forensic facial reconstruction for this population.

## Key findings

- Nigerian males showed more soft tissue on the left side of the face compared to the right.
- Significant differences in FSTT were observed in the lower third of the face compared to other populations.
- Diet may influence facial soft tissue distribution, as seen in the mid-masseter region.

## Abstract

Facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) was measured from computer tomography scans of 55 Nigeria adult males. Forensic facial reconstruction (FFR) with own population FSTT values can be vital in recognition of skeletal remains and has been used as an adjunct in forensic science.There are no published FSTT values for this population. Measurements were obtained at 12 mid-sagittal and 19 bilateral points totalling 50 and by use of a software package called RadiAnt. In comparison to previous studies in Africa, measurements were taken from more points and with a diverse age of 18 to 100 years. Mean FSTT values were determined for these combined Nigerian male ethnicities. These values will suffice in FFR for this population and for the Hausa adult male. This population homogenously showed more soft tissue volumes on the left than the right side at all FSTT points with the most relative difference at the frontal eminence and the least at the mid-point of the masseter muscle. The low relative difference at the mid-masseters may relate with the soft floury diets of this population. These combined Nigerian male ethnicities midline FSTT values showed significant differences in the lower third of the face when compared with other population data. The values for the right side of the face shows even more substantial differences at multiple points when compared with published data of other populations. The change with age compares well with other studies. These data will be applicable for FFR in the CNME than data of other populations.