Turin Shroud: Compatibility Between a Digitized Body Image and a Computerized Anthropomorphous Manikin

The front image of the Turin Shroud, 1.95 m long, is not directly compatible with the back image, 2.02 m long. In order to verify the possibility that both images were generated by the same human body, a numeric-anthropomorphous manikin was constructed by computer and wrapped in the digitized front and back images. The manikin was made to move, within the limits allowed by normal limb movements, with the aim of finding correspondences between predefined anthropometric points on the Shroud and on the manikin itself. Kinematic analysis showed the most probable position of the arms, which are not completely visible on the Shroud, due to damage during the fire of 1532. The front and back images are compatible with the Shroud being used to wrap the body of a man 175  2 cm tall, which, due to cadaveric rigidity, remained in the same position it would have assumed during crucifixion. The position of this Man was assessed in terms of the angles of the legs and arms and the forward tilt of the head.