High density facial measurement: a new automated approach

A brief summary of research undertaken into facial geometric measurement is furnished, emphasizing the potential of photogrammetric methods. The techniques described solves the long-standing problem of stabilization of the human head for repetitive longitudinal investigations. The basic geometric principles of terrestrial photogrammetry and digital imaging techniques are outlined, as the groundwork for a description of a fully automated method of obtaining a high density geometric delineation of sensitive surfaces by digital methods. The technique is appropriate for any medical purpose dealing with measurement and analysis of soft tissue surfaces, obviating, as it does, the need for head stabilization with its concomitant problems, and also in its provision of a databank capability.