THE ANALYSIS OF FACIAL PROFILES USING SCALE-SPACE TECHNIQUES

A method is presented of analysing facial profiles by using Scale Space techniques, reported in the pattern recognition literature. Through this technique landmarks, which are some extremal points on the profile (e.g. inflection points), are mathematically defined in order to divide the profile into a number of regions considered suitable for analysis. They are seen to correspond to parts of the face of interest to the clinician (e.g. the nose, chin, etc.). Thus, the whole profile can be qualitatively described by the Scale Space Image and the shape of individual regions quantitatively described by a curvature value. A mid-line facial profile is used to illustrate the method and a cleft palate case is analysed and the assessment of changes due to surgical correction are shown.