Towards a semi-automatic method for the statistically rigorous aging of the human face

Forensic age progression for the purpose of aging a missing child is a discipline currently dominated by artistic methodologies. In order to improve on these techniques, we present a statistically rigorous approach to the aging of the human face. The technique is based upon a Principal Component Analysis and involves the definition of an aging direction through the model space, using an age-weighted combination of model parameters. Pose and expression compensation methods are also incorporated, allowing faces at a wide variety of pose orientations and expressions to be aged accurately. Near photo-quality images are obtained quickly and the resultant aging effects are realistic and plausible.