New technique in facial reconstruction: the case of Giovanni Battista Morgagni

Morgagni is considered the father of pathological anatomy. He died in 1771, 89 years old, and was buried in Saint Maxim church in Padua, where his wife and five of his 15 children were already buried. In 2011, an anthropological analysis confirmed that one of the skulls belonged to the oldest individuals among those found in the tomb. A genetic analysis proved a kinship between this skull and the fragments of young individuals (one male and two females), supporting the hypothesis that they were Morgagni and his children. Thanks to the interaction between historical studies, anthropological research, and molecular analysis that reinforce each other, we can assume that the skull belongs to Giovanni Battista Morgagni and the series of skull fragments came from his children who were buried together with their parents. Having obtained the identification of Morgagni, we performed a forensic facial reconstruction with new 3D technology. The intent was to compare the facial reconstruction with Morgagni’s portraits done when he was living and near to his death, as to be closest to his real resemblances. We performed a superimposition test with busts and portraits, as to achieve a further confirmation of the molecular identification.