This illustration shows the formula for estimating nasal projection in forensic facial reconstruction. Nasal projection equals the nasal spine length times three plus mid philtrum tissue depth [Nasal Projection = (nasal spine x 3) + mid philtrum tissue depth]. The middle drawing demonstrates the mid philtrum tissue depth marker (in blue) and the nasal spine length (8mm). In this example, as the nasal spine is 8mm and the mid philtrum tissue depth is 10mm, then the nasal projection is 34mm. The rectangle on the far left illustrates the dimensions necessary to fashion the clay block which is applied to the skull as shown by the drawing on the right.

Pen and ink illustration colored in Adobe Photoshop 5.5. The clay block dimensions created with Adobe Illustrator 5.5.

© 2001, Bill Walsh.