MY AMERICAN SCIENTIST
LOG IN! REGISTER!
SEARCH
 
RSS
Logo
HOME > SCIENCE IN THE NEWS > Science Detail

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS DAILY

The Michelangelo of Forensics

from the Scientist

The forensic scientists depicted in popular TV shows CSI and NCIS often work in slick, technologically-decked out labs solving case after scintillating case. But for forensic sculptor Frank Bender, reconstructing the faces of decomposing bodies or skeletons is a much more hands-on, creative process done in his paint-stained, converted-butcher-shop-studio in South Philadelphia.

Through a career that's spanned 33 years, Bender has worked with the Philadelphia police department, the FBI, Scotland Yard, America's Most Wanted and the Mexican government to give faces to unidentified victims. Just don't ask him how many--he's lost count.

His methods are far from traditional--the only scientific forensics data he uses are facial tissue thickness charts, but only as starting points, he said--and have been widely criticized. But his methods, no matter how unusual, work.

Read more...

 

Subscribe to Our Content!

Visit our RSS Feeds page to choose among 13 customized feeds, or create a free My AmSci account to request an email notice whenever a specified author, department or discipline appears online.


EMAIL TO A FRIEND :

Of Possible Interest

Science In The News Daily: Children's Books Increasingly Ignore Natural World

Science In The News Daily: Female Frontrunners

Science In The News Daily: Closer Look at the Quantity of Climate Coverage in 2011

Subscribe to American Scientist

Sites of Interest

Duxbury Ventures Website Investments

Social Justice

Find Websites Worth

München Fair Hotels

ABC Fundraising

Promotional Products

Business Cards

Car Hire

Get a Gold Ira at Regal Assets.

Online Shopping