When a person is killed, there is usually a body. However, there are murders that police do not know about, which might me discovered some time later. Today, forensic scientists can use DNA to identify a victim. If a skull is found, forensic scientists have another way to identify the victim. They can reconstruct the face.

     The process that the scientists go through to reconstruct a face is described below. The skull must be in a flat surface. The forensic artist finds the depth of the tissue in different areas of the face. The tissue depth differs with each race, gender, and age. Then, the tissue markers are glued directly to the skull. Hair type and style is determined by samples found on the scene by investigators, or by estimation determined by the victim's race, gender, and/or ethnic background. Next, clay is applied directly onto the skull, carefully following the skull's contours and the applied tissue markers. Various measurements are made to determine nose thickness and length, mouth thickness and width, and eye placement. Artificial eyes are then placed in the skull's eye sockets at the proper depth, and centered. Information such as geographic location of where the victim lived, his or her lifestyle, and the various information provided to the artist by the Forensic Anthropologist and other professionals, is heavily relied upon when completing the facial reconstruction. When executed properly, this technique is proven to have a high success rate.

     Facial reconstruction is helpful in cracking many cases. When a skull is found accidentally, the forensic artist gives the unknown victim an identity. This not only provides new leads into the mysterious crime, but it also provides closure for the victim's family.