User Guide: Dense facial tissue depth mapping of 3D CT models using Meshlab

This user guide outlines a method for objective, dense facial tissue depth mapping of 3D face and skull STL models generated from computed tomography (CT) scans, in an effort to produce a standardized reference dataset for forensic craniofacial identification applications. Any 3D STL face and skull models that are in correct anatomical orientation to each other can be mapped with this method.The methods described include hollowing and cropping of a face model to obtain a face "shell," mapping the face to the skull, colorizing and saving mapped data, and visualization of mapped data.The purpose of this guide is to provide an objective, standardized method for mapping facial tissue depth values for forensic craniofacial identification applications using free software.We have also attached a zipped fileset of Meshlab scripts (with instructions for installation included in the zip) that will assist with splitting the face and skull maps into 1 mm increments for enhanced visualizations.Images were generated with publicly available de-identified CT scans from The Cancer Imaging Archives (http://www.cancerimagingarchive.net/) (doi: 10.1007/s10278-013-9622-7).A link to the accompanying manuscript will be provided when published.