Impact case study database

All the activities listed below occurred between 1 August 2013 and 31^st Dec 2020.

Improved social welfare and cohesion

Facial recognition is one of the only viable options for identification, when DNA and dental comparison are not possible. Reliable forensic facial identification has improved the efficacy of international scenes of crime and disaster victim investigations, which in turn has a positive societal effect through efficient victim repatriation, return of the deceased to the family and judicial matters of estate. Casework has featured on UK Crimewatch and Dutch Crime College (5.1), and is confirmed as directly responsible for efficient identification by the police (5.1). Wilkinson is the only Royal Anthropological Institute Certified Level I Forensic Anthropologist (craniofacial specialism) in the UK (5.1).

Face Lab has collaborated in multi-disciplinary projects relating to culturally sensitive museum curation of human remains (3.5) and controversial skeletal restitution (South Africa, 5.2), that media reports claim to be so significant as to shape future historic reburials policy, with activists, communities, and scholars globally pushing museums/universities to locate their unethically obtained human remains and return them to descendants (5.2). University of Cape Town Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng stated that “the importance of the findings was deeply significant for the country…providing this sense of identity is an important part of building national pride, justice and democracy.”

Delivering highly skilled people and international standards

Face Lab has trained approx. 50 practitioners worldwide in 4 continents including police and security services for UK, Australia and South Africa (5.3). With the increase in social media and CCTV surveillance this is important to international security, law enforcement and social cohesion. Wilkinson has had a direct effect on international policy through membership in US Government sponsored Facial Identification Scientific Working Group and Organisation of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) (5.2) The Chair of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Facial Identification Subcommittee commended Wilkinson stating that “Her vast knowledge, skills, and contributions have enhanced the OSAC’s efforts to develop and promote high quality forensic science standards and guidelines to strengthen the practice of forensic science in the United States and globally.” (5.2) Wilkinson has been involved in the drafting of numerous practitioner codes of practice and guidelines through the British Association of Forensic Anthropology and the International Association of Craniofacial Identification. In 2016, Wilkinson was awarded the Combined Royal Colleges Medal for contribution to clinical imaging in relation to computerised facial reconstruction research (5.4). Face Lab is frequently consulted by international police/forensics (Netherlands Forensic Institute; Swedish Police; Abu Dhabi General Directorate) in relation to facial identification (5.1) and has produced several practitioner textbook chapters (5.2). Wilkinson was funded by the British Academy for the creation and implementation of international processes for migrant disaster victim identification in the Canary Islands.

Cultural enrichment through improved public engagement with art, science and history

Research has enabled more reliable archaeological interpretations of ancient remains, which has increased public engagement through museums, publications and the media. Face Lab has featured in television documentaries (5.5), and were part of a team who won the prestigious Ministry of Defence Sanctuary Award 2018 for best Heritage Project and the coveted Silver Otter Award (for Exercise Magwitch, 5.4) and this project also featured on BBC's 'Digging for Britain' (5.5). The most significant historical projects include the depictions of Robert the Bruce (3.7), Robert Burns, St Nicolas and the largest ancient skeletal collection ever depicted/exhibited (5.9) that have been directly responsible for a change in how we view these historical figures and ancient populations. The team won Educate North Research Group of the Year 2019 (5.4) and Selwyn Award 2020 from the Royal Photographic Society (5.4). In 2018, a Scottish Parliament motion was lodged by SMP Emma Harper to congratulate the team from Liverpool John Moores University and University of Dundee on the 3D animation of Robert Burns (5.9), and Face Lab researchers were invited to the GREAT Festival 2018 in Hong Kong (5.6) organised by the Department of International Trade to promote British technological innovation.

Cognitive bias and facial depiction research (3.6) was key to new strains of thought in historical contexts; a review of the facial difference book (3.4) stated that, “the editors and contributors challenge readers and researchers to re-evaluate modern-day assumptions about beauty and difference based upon their presentation of the past.” (5.10)

The team have reconstructed approximately 80 faces from history exhibited in >20 new exhibitions across 4 continents (5.7), contribute numerous keynotes at public/academic events (5.6) and receive continued media interest (5.8).