Chandigarh, July 27 — In a major scientific advancement, Panjab University has secured a copyright for an AI-driven technology that can reconstruct a human face with up to 95% accuracy using only the dimensions of the jaws and teeth — a potential game-changer for forensic science and disaster victim identification.
Developed by a team of forensic scientists led by Professor Kewal Krishan from the Department of Anthropology, the innovation will assist experts in identifying victims of airplane crashes, bomb blasts, and other mass-casualty events where faces are often damaged beyond recognition.
The computer program, officially registered with the Copyright Office of India, is the result of collaborative efforts involving Professor Vishal Sharma (Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology), Dr Arun K Garg (Dr HS Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital), and six PhD research scholars: Damini Siwan, Nandini Chitara, Ankita Guleria, Rakesh Meena, Akansha Rana, and Ayushi Srivastava.
“This is a significant step forward in forensic anthropology and victim identification,” said Prof Krishan. “The jaws and teeth often remain intact even in extreme conditions. Our AI/ML model makes it possible to reconstruct the face with remarkable accuracy, thereby enabling scientific identification when other methods fail.”
The technology can also be used in scenarios involving dismembered, decomposed, or commingled remains, where traditional identification techniques struggle. The research forms part of the doctoral work of Damini Siwan and Dr Nandini Chitara. Damini is focused on integrating AI in forensic casework and ethics, while Dr Chitara now works as a senior scientific assistant (Biology) at the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Panchkula.
Experts believe the innovation could dramatically enhance the capabilities of disaster response teams and forensic departments across the country.
