Facial Image Comparison Feature List for Morphological Analysis - Feature List - Scope and Facial Components

Oct 12, 2026

Facial Image Comparison Feature List for Morphological Analysis standardizes a defined set of facial components, characteristics, and descriptive terminology for use in morphological facial comparison. The guide establishes scope and key definitions, explains how “face” and the term “distance” are interpreted, and clarifies that it defines the feature set rather than the comparison process or classification framework. It introduces a nineteen-component structure, each expandable into detailed characteristics and associated descriptors, including skin, outline, composition, and additional facial regions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages35

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

Scope

Terminology

Significance and Use

Facial Feature List

Skin

Face/Head Outline

Face/Head Composition

Disclaimer: As a condition to the use of this document and the information contained herein, the Facial Identification Scientific Working Group (FISWG) requests notification by e-mail before or contemporaneously to the introduction of this document, or any portion thereof, as a marked exhibit offered for or moved into evidence in any judicial, administrative, legislative, or adjudicatory hearing or other proceeding (including discovery proceedings) in the United States or any foreign country. Such notification shall include: 1) the formal name of the proceeding, including docket number or similar identifier; 2) the name and location of the body conducting the hearing or proceeding; and 3) the name, mailing address (if available) and contact information of the party offering or moving the document into evidence. Subsequent to the use of this document in a formal proceeding, it is requested that FISWG be notified as to its use and the outcome of the proceeding. Notifications should be sent to: Redistribution Policy: FISWG grants permission for redistribution and use of all publicly posted documents created by FISWG, provided the following conditions are met: Redistributions of documents, or parts of documents, must retain the FISWG cover page containing the disclaimer. Neither the name of FISWG, nor the names of its contributors, may be used to endorse or promote products derived from its documents. Any reference or quote from a FISWG document must include the version number (or creation date) of the document and mention if the document is in a draft status. Facial Image Comparison Feature List for Morphological Analysis 1. Scope 1.1 This guide defines a set of facial components , characteristics , and descriptors tobe considered during a morphological facial comparison. 1.2 This set of facial components, characteristics, and descriptors describes the facial features that may be visible and comparable between images. 1.3 This guide defines a standard set of facial components, characteristics, and descriptors that should be used for facial comparison. 1.4 This guide does not define the comparison process itself, just the feature set tobe used during such comparisons. 1.5 This guide does not define a classification system to constrain how those descriptors shall be articulated as applied to samples. 2. Terminology 2.1 Definitions: 2.1.1 Characteristic descriptors, n-minutiae of the component characteristics. 2.1.2 Component characteristics, n-detailed features of the facial components. 2.1.3 Facial components , n-gross features considered in virtually all comparisons. 3. Significance and Use 3.1 Morphological analysis used for facial comparison should utilize consistent terminology and methodology. This guide provides a standard set of facial components, characteristics, and descriptors to be used as a framework in conjunction with a systematic method of analysis for facial image comparison. 3.2 The order of the facial components in this set is presented from the top of the face to the bottom, not in order of importance or priority. 3.3 Within this guide , the term “face” generally refers to the face, head, and neck inclusively unless specified otherwise. 3.4 There are several instances in this guide in which the term “distance” or“approximate distance” is used. When this term is used in this guide , it does not mean to imply that the precise value of this dimension shall be determined, but rather the relative size of this dimension compared to the overall width or height of the face, if not otherwise specified. In this guide , it is recommended that photoanthropometry not be used at all because of its limitations. 4. Facial Feature List 4.1 The following feature list contains nineteen (19) facial components, each of which is further divided into two levels of detail. 4.2 The facial components are gross features to be considered in virtually all comparisons. Tables 1 through

FAQs

What is the purpose of the guide in morphological facial comparison?

It provides a standard set of facial components, characteristics, and descriptors to be used as a framework for morphological facial comparison.

Does the guide define the comparison process or classification system?

No. It defines the feature set only; it does not define the comparison process or a classification system for how descriptors are articulated on samples.

How should the term “face” and “distance” be interpreted in this guide?

“Face” generally includes the face, head, and neck unless specified otherwise. “Distance” refers to relative size compared to the overall width or height, not an exact measured value.

Oct 12, 2026

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