World's first forensic jeweller graduates for fifth time from Scots university

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The world's first forensic jeweller has graduated for the fifth time from Dundee University.

Dr Maria Maclennan can now reconstruct the face of a deceased person, from minor injuries to skeletal remains, adding another technique to her skillset which previously saw her become the world’s first forensic jeweller.

Having worked with international police, charities across the country and non-governmental organisations in Europe, Maria’s work sees her analyse jewellery from people who have died in disasters or attacks where identification can be difficult.

Now she can also reconstruct a face using multiple different techniques including forensic photography, 3D scanning and physical modelling from as little as a bare skull.

“It starts off with the science of anatomy”, Maria said. “We look at the different cranio facial landmarks and take measurements from the skull to estimate age and population affinity

“Using more resources we can narrow down the biological sex, and then use these measurements to build up different facial muscles.

“It always surprises me how much the face reconstructs itself. By following the scientific standards and measurements, and layering the muscles onto each other, the face starts to emerge.”

Maria has always been fascinated with combining art and science, within forensic work. Originally from the Highlands, she moved to Dundee in 2006 to study an undergraduate degree in Jewellery and Metal Design at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD).

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She then completed a Masters degree in Design for Services at DJCAD, followed by a PGCert in Teaching in Higher Education, at the University’s School of Education and Community Education.

Maria then studied for a PhD in Design at DJCAD, before going onto her fifth course at the University, which was run collaboratively by DJCAD and the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID).

She added: “Dundee is uniquely positioned with its expertise in life sciences and art – both which have excellent reputations in their own rights. It’s also the only place in the world where you can do a university qualification in forensic art or facial reconstruction, so it really is unique.

“I’ve had fantastic support throughout my time studying at Dundee. It’s not goodbye to the city, but I am stepping away from studying now.”

Maria collected her Masters degree in Forensic Art and Facial Imaging at Caird Hall, Dundee, where more than 1800 students graduate this week at the University’s Winter Graduation ceremony. She was also recently awarded the Cromarty Arts Trust Artist Residency Prize, through which she will create a reconstruction of Scottish geologist, writer, and folklorist, Hugh Miller, using his death mask.

This will be exhibited as part of a collaboration with the Hugh Miller Museum, in Cromarty, and National Trust for Scotland, in Edinburgh.

Next year, she will work with City of Edinburgh Council Archaeological Service (CECAS) to create a series of archaeological craniofacial reconstructions based on skeletal remains excavated from St Giles and the surrounding area in Edinburgh.

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