Advancement in Human Face Prediction Using DNA

Overview

Journal Genes (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Date 2023 Jan 21

PMID 36672878

Authors

Aamer Alshehhi

Aliya Almarzooqi

Khadija Alhammadi

Naoufel Werghi

Guan K Tay

Habiba AlSafar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The rapid improvements in identifying the genetic factors contributing to facial morphology have enabled the early identification of craniofacial syndromes. Similarly, this technology can be vital in forensic cases involving human identification from biological traces or human remains, especially when reference samples are not available in the deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) database. This review summarizes the currently used methods for predicting human phenotypes such as age, ancestry, pigmentation, and facial features based on genetic variations. To identify the facial features affected by DNA, various two-dimensional (2D)- and three-dimensional (3D)-scanning techniques and analysis tools are reviewed. A comparison between the scanning technologies is also presented in this review. Face-landmarking techniques and face-phenotyping algorithms are discussed in chronological order. Then, the latest approaches in genetic to 3D face shape analysis are emphasized. A systematic review of the current markers that passed the threshold of a genome-wide association (GWAS) of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-face traits from the GWAS Catalog is also provided using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), approach. Finally, the current challenges in forensic DNA phenotyping are analyzed and discussed.

Citing Articles

Forensic DNA Phenotyping: Genes and Genetic Variants for Eye Color Prediction.

Brancato D, Coniglio E, Bruno F, Agostini V, Saccone S, Federico C Genes (Basel). 2023; 14(8).

PMID: 37628655 PMC: 10454093. DOI: 10.3390/genes14081604.

Recognizability of Demographically Altered Computerized Facial Approximations in an Automated Facial Recognition Context for Potential Application in Unidentified Persons Data Repositories.

Parks C, Monson K Biology (Basel). 2023; 12(5).

PMID: 37237496 PMC: 10215877. DOI: 10.3390/biology12050682.

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