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Molecular Face
At least one scientist thinks it may soon be possible to glean facial details from DNA. While not exactly a full reconstruction from a strand of self-important protein, it still seems enough to, say, narrow down a list of suspects, sometimes significantly. Who knows, perhaps ten years from now we'll be able to reconstruct what someone looks like just from a fingernail clipping. The implications for historical reconstruction are pretty exciting.
There may be some problems with that, mostly due to developmental issues. IIRC, genes provide a template of sorts, not an exact map. Nutrition, the environment in which the person developed, complicating factors during adulthood (think of the faces of meth chick) and the mother's overall health during gestation can all greatly influence what a person looks like.
Indicative? Absolutely. Concrete proof or reliable for picking someone out of a witness line? No.
Posted by: ronaprhys on February 20, 2009 08:45 AMLet's just hope some well-meaning rocket surgeon doesn't decide that the best use for this technology is in criminal testimony, to supplant the need for eyewitnesses...
Posted by: Tatterdemalian on February 20, 2009 12:40 PM