Face, facial recognition technology and personal privacy

The privacy problem of facial recognition technology is that commercial companies obtain people's facial information without the consent of individuals and use facial information to infringe on the privacy of individuals. The importance of human privacy in facial recognition technology is reflected through facial ethics, which requires others to perform corresponding obligations to individuals, such as oral care. Through the analysis of the privacy issues of facial recognition technology, it is found that the two elements of "without personal informed" and "without personal consent" together form the basis for commercial companies to violate personal privacy. The principle of informed consent includes the principle of informed and the principle of consent, which is derived from the principle of informed consent in medical ethics. This paper improves the principles of informed consent in medicine and ethics to better address facial recognition privacy issues.

El problema de la privacidad en la tecnología de reconocimiento facial es que las empresas comerciales obtienen información facial de las personas sin el consentimiento de éstas y utilizan la información facial para vulnerar la privacidad de las personas. La importancia de la privacidad de las personas en la tecnología de reconocimiento facial se refleja a través de la ética facial, que exige que otros cumplan las obligaciones correspondientes con los individuos, como el cuidado bucal. A través del análisis de los problemas de privacidad de la tecnología de reconocimiento facial se descubre que los dos elementos de "sin información personal" y "sin consentimiento personal" juntos forman la base para que las empresas comerciales violen la privacidad personal. El principio de consentimiento informado incluye el de información y el de consentimiento, que se deriva del principio de consentimiento informado de la ética médica. Este artículo mejora los principios del consentimiento informado en medicina y ética para abordar mejor los problemas de privacidad del reconocimiento facial.

A questão da privacidade na tecnologia de reconhecimento facial é que as companhias comerciais obtém informações faciais das pessoas sem seu consentimento e usam informação facial para infringir sua privacidade. A importância da privacidade humana na tecnologia de reconhecimento facial é refletida através da ética facial, que exige que se cumpram obrigações correspondentes para com os indivíduos, da mesma forma como com cuidados orais. Através da análise de aspectos de privacidade na tecnologia de reconhecimento facial, encontrou-se que os dois elementos "sem informação pessoal" e "sem consentimento pessoal" juntos, formam a base para companhias comerciais violarem a privacidade pessoal. O princípio do consentimento informado inclui o princípio de informação e o princípio de consentimento, os quais derivam do princípio do consentimento informado em ética médica. Esse artigo melhora os princípios do consentimento informado em medicina e ética para melhor incluir aspectos de privacidade no reconhecimento facial.

Limite ético para confirmar identidade pelos caracteres morfológicos / Ethical limits to confirming identity by morphological features / Límite ético para confirmar la identidad por caracteres morfológicos

Resumo O desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias fez nascer ferramentas que auxiliam no processo de identificação de indivíduos, possibilitando confirmar identidades e ajudando a solucionar crimes, ao permitir confirmar o encontro de pessoas desaparecidas ou vítimas de acidentes, por exemplo. Entretanto, um importante questionamento ético precisa ser observado: os fins sempre justificam os meios? A identificação facial a partir de imagens coletadas por câmeras de circuito fechado de televisão ou a análise de registros fotográficos são capazes de confirmar a identidade de alguém inequivocamente? Impressões digitais ou labiais podem ser utilizadas, em qualquer hipótese, em um confronto dactiloscópico? O conhecimento sobre as limitações dos métodos técnicos científicos utilizados em comparações de caracteres morfológicos permite que o resultado do perito papiloscopista atenda a dois princípios basilares constitucionais: a legalidade e o direito da pessoa humana. Ao respeitá-los, estará agindo conforme os limites éticos.

Abstract Technological advancements have generated tools to help with identifying individuals, allowing to verify identities and solve crimes by confirming found missing persons or accident victims, for example. An important ethical question, however, arises: do the ends always justify the means? Can facial identification from images collected by closed-circuit television cameras or analysis of photographic records confirm someone's identity unequivocally? Can fingerprints or lip prints be used for any dactyloscopy? Knowing the limitations of scientific technical methods used in morphological comparisons allows examiners to comply with two fundamental constitutional principles: that of legality and right of the human person. By respecting them, examiners will be acting according to ethical limits.

Resumen El desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías dio lugar a herramientas que ayudan en el proceso de identificación de personas, lo que posibilita la confirmación de identidades y contribuye a la resolución de delitos al permitir confirmar, por ejemplo, a personas desaparecidas o víctimas de accidentes. Sin embargo, es necesario observar una cuestión ética importante: ¿el fin siempre justifica los medios? ¿La identificación facial desde imágenes captadas por cámaras de circuito cerrado de televisión o el análisis de registros fotográficos puede confirmar inequívocamente la identidad de una persona? ¿Se pueden utilizar huellas dactilares o labiales, bajo cualquier circunstancia, en un enfrentamiento dactiloscópico? El conocimiento sobre las limitaciones de los métodos técnicos y científicos utilizados en las comparaciones de caracteres morfológicos permite que el resultado del perito en papiloscopía responda a dos principios constitucionales básicos: la legalidad y el derecho de la persona humana. Al respetarlos se estará actuando dentro de los límites éticos.

Face-based automatic pain assessment: challenges and perspectives in neonatal intensive care units

Abstract Objective: To describe the challenges and perspectives of the automation of pain assessment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Data sources: A search for scientific articles published in the last 10 years on automated neonatal pain assessment was conducted in the main Databases of the Health Area and Engineering Journal Portals, using the descriptors: Pain Measurement, Newborn, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Systems, Software, Automated Facial Recognition. Summary of findings: Fifteen articles were selected and allowed a broad reflection on first, the literature search did not return the various automatic methods that exist to date, and those that exist are not effective enough to replace the human eye; second, computational methods are not yet able to automatically detect pain on partially covered faces and need to be tested during the natural movement of the neonate and with different light intensities; third, for research to advance in this area, databases are needed with more neonatal facial images available for the study of computational methods. Conclusion: There is still a gap between computational methods developed for automated neonatal pain assessment and a practical application that can be used at the bedside in real-time, that is sensitive, specific, and with good accuracy. The studies reviewed described limitations that could be minimized with the development of a tool that identifies pain by analyzing only free facial regions, and the creation and feasibility of a synthetic database of neonatal facial images that is freely available to researchers.

Reconhecimento facial: tecnologia, racismo e construção de mundos possíveis / Reconocimiento facial: tecnología, racismo y construcción de mundos posibles / Facial recognition: technology, racism and construction of possible worlds

Resumo Racismo e tecnologia são importantes mediadores societários, hierarquizando grupos e reproduzindo privilégios e exclusões. Podem, contudo, inviabilizar denúncias de desigualdades, seja pelo "mito da democracia racial" ou pela ideia de neutralidade da tecnologia. Discutiremos a eficácia da articulação entre racismo e tecnologia por conta de uma dupla opacidade: negação do racismo e a negação política da tecnologia. Trazemos o reconhecimento facial como aparato sociotécnico que, articulado aos corpos negros e a realidades brasileiras, ora produz invisibilidades, ora reacentua visibilidades. A pesquisa teórica reúne conceitos do pensamento social brasileiro, versando sobre relações raciais e criminologia marginal, bem como autores do campo da Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade (CTS), que nos auxiliam a explicitar a não neutralidade da tecnologia e a politização da gestão algorítmica. Concluímos pela necessária ampliação das vozes dissonantes que denunciam o racismo na produção de técnicas pretensamente neutras, numa proposição cosmopolítica, de modo a poder "decidir com" as pessoas que são reconhecidas ou invisibilizadas.

Resumen El racismo y la tecnología son importantes mediadores sociales, jerarquizan grupos, reproducen privilegios y exclusiones. Sin embargo, pueden hacer inviable denunciar las desigualdades, ya sea por el "mito de la democracia racial" o por la "neutralidad de la tecnología". Discutiremos la efectividad de la articulación entre racismo y tecnología debido a una doble opacidad: la negación del racismo y la negación política de la tecnología. Presentamos el reconocimiento facial como un aparato sociotécnico que, articulado con los cuerpos negros y las realidades brasileñas, a veces produce invisibilidades y as veces vuelve a enfatizar las visibilidades. La investigación teórica reúne conceptos del pensamiento social brasileño que abordan las relaciones raciales y la criminología marginal, así como autores del campo de la ciencia, tecnología y sociedad (CTS), que nos ayudan a explicar la no neutralidad de la tecnología y la politización de la gestión algorítmica. Concluimos por la necesaria amplificación de voces disonantes que denuncian el racismo en la producción de técnicas supuestamente neutrales, una propuesta cosmopolítica, para poder "decidir con" las personas reconocidas o invisibilizadas.

Abstract Racism and technology are important societal mediators, hierarchizing groups and reproducing privileges and exclusions. They can, however, make reports of inequalities unfeasible, due to the "myth of racial democracy" or the idea of technology neutrality. We discuss the effectiveness of the articulation between racism and technology due to a double opacity: denial of racism and political denial of technology. We bring facial recognition as a sociotechnical apparatus that, articulated with black bodies and Brazilian realities, sometimes produces invisibilities, sometimes re-emphasizes visibilities. The theoretical research brings together concepts from Brazilian social thought, dealing with racial relations and marginal criminology, as well as authors from the field of Science, Technology and Society (STS), who help us to explain the non-neutrality of technology and the politicization of algorithmic management. We conclude by the necessary amplification of dissonant voices that denounce racism in the production of supposedly neutral techniques, in a cosmopolitical proposition, in order to be able to "decide with" the people who are recognized or made invisible.

Necropolítica algorítmica / Necropolítica algorítmica / Algorithmic Necropolitics

Resumen Este capítulo del libro Racismo algorítmico: inteligência artificial e discriminação nas redes digitais (Racismo algorítmico: inteligencia artificial y discriminación en redes digitales), publicado por el autor en 2022, demuestra el racismo codificado en la inteligencia artificial. Aborda la violencia material y simbólica, a menudo letal, infligida a personas y poblaciones negras y pobres mediante el despliegue de sistemas predictivos construidos y retroalimentados a partir de conjuntos de datos que reflejan una historia de explotación y segregación. Comienza con un panorama histórico de la normalización de la hipervigilancia y el control violento sobre poblaciones racializadas en Estados Unidos y Brasil. Luego muestra la continuidad de ese control por parte de los sistemas de clasificación algorítmicos contemporáneos, como el reconocimiento facial, la vigilancia predictiva y las puntuaciones de riesgo en seguridad y salud. Alineados con las narrativas oficiales de armonía racial y la justificación meritocrática de la política daltónica, sus desarrolladores, las empresas privadas e instituciones públicas que los emplean los consideran neutrales e ignoran insidiosamente sus prejuicios.

Resumo Este capítulo do livro Racismo algorítmico: inteligência artificial e discriminação nas redes digitalis, publicado pelo autor em 2022, demonstra o racismo codificado na inteligência artificial. Aborda a violência material e simbólica, muitas vezes letal, infligida a indivíduos e populações negras e pobres, através da implementação de sistemas preditivos baseados e realimentados a partir de conjuntos de dados que refletem uma história de exploração e segregação. Começa com um panorama histórico da normalização da hipervigilância e do controle violento sobre populações racializadas nos Estados Unidos e no Brasil. Em seguida, mostra a continuidade desse controle por sistemas contemporâneos de classificação algorítmica, como o reconhecimento facial, a vigilância preditiva e as escalas de risco em segurança e saúde. Alinhados com narrativas oficiais de harmonia racial e com a justificativa meritocrática da política daltônica, seus desenvolvedores, as empresas privadas e as instituições públicas que os empregam, consideram-nos neutros e ignoram insidiosamente os seus preconceitos.

Abstract This chapter of the author's 2022 book Racismo algorítmico: inteligência artificial e discriminação nas redes digitais (Algorithmic racism: artificial intelligence and discrimination in digital networks) demonstrates the racism encoded in artificial intelligence. It addresses the material and symbolic, often lethal, violence inflicted upon Black and poor individuals and populations by the deployment of predictive systems built and backfed from datasets that reflect a history of exploitation and segregation. It begins with a historical overview of the normalisation of hypervigilance and violent control over racialized populations in the United States and in Brazil. It then shows the continuity of that control by contemporary algorithmic classification systems such as facial recognition, predictive policing, and health and security risk scores. Aligned with official narratives of racial harmony and the meritocratic justification of colour-blind policy, they are deemed neutral by their developers, private enterprises and the public institutions that employ them, who insidiously ignore their bias.

Construction of face databases for tasks to recognize facial expressions of basic emotions: a systematic review / Construção de bancos de faces para tarefas de reconhecimento de expressões faciais de emoções básicas: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT. Recognizing the other's emotions is an important skill for the social context that can be modulated by variables such as gender, age, and race. A number of studies seek to elaborate specific face databases to assess the recognition of basic emotions in different contexts. Objectives: This systematic review sought to gather these studies, describing and comparing the methodologies used in their elaboration. Methods: The databases used to select the articles were the following: PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Scopus. The following word crossing was used: "Facial expression database OR Stimulus set AND development OR Validation." Results: A total of 36 articles showed that most of the studies used actors to express the emotions that were elicited from specific situations to generate the most spontaneous emotion possible. The databases were mainly composed of colorful and static stimuli. In addition, most of the studies sought to establish and describe patterns to record the stimuli, such as color of the garments used and background. The psychometric properties of the databases are also described. Conclusions: The data presented in this review point to the methodological heterogeneity among the studies. Nevertheless, we describe their patterns, contributing to the planning of new research studies that seek to create databases for new contexts.

RESUMO. Reconhecer as emoções do outro é uma habilidade importante para o contexto social, que pode ser modulada por variáveis como sexo, idade e raça. Vários estudos buscam elaborar bancos de faces específicos para avaliar o reconhecimento de emoções básicas em diferentes contextos. Objetivos: Esta revisão sistemática buscou reunir esses estudos, descrevendo e comparando as metodologias utilizadas em sua elaboração. Métodos: As bases de dados utilizadas para a seleção dos artigos foram: PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo e Scopus. Foi utilizado o seguinte cruzamento de palavras: "facial expression database OR stimulus set AND development OR validation". Resultados: O total de 36 artigos mostrou que a maioria dos estudos utilizou atores para expressar as emoções, que foram suscitadas de situações específicas para serem o mais espontâneas possível. Os bancos de faces foram compostos principalmente de estímulos coloridos e estáticos. Além disso, a maioria dos estudos buscou estabelecer e descrever padrões para registrar os estímulos, como a cor das roupas utilizadas e o fundo. As propriedades psicométricas dos bancos de faces também são descritas. Conclusões: Os dados apresentados nesta revisão apontam para a heterogeneidade metodológica entre os estudos. Apesar disso, descrevemos seus padrões, contribuindo para o planejamento de novas pesquisas que buscam criar bancos de faces específicos para novos contextos.

The ability of patients with Parkinson's disease to recognize masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic / A capacidade dos pacientes com doença de parkinson de reconhecer rostos mascarados durante a pandemia de covid-19

ABSTRACT. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PwP) have face recognition difficulties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difficulties of PwP in recognizing masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 64 PwP, 58 age-matched older healthy controls (OHCs), and 61 younger healthy controls (YHCs) were included in the study. The Benton Face Recognition Test - short form (BFRT-sf) and the 13-item questionnaire on face recognition difficulties due to masks during the pandemic developed by the authors were applied to all three study groups. Results: Both the PwP and OHC groups scored worse in BFRT-sf when compared with the YHC group (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The number of those who had difficulty in recognizing people seen every day and the number of those who asked people to remove their masks because they did not recognize them were higher in the PWP group (p=0.026 and p=0.002, respectively). The number of individuals who looked at the posture and gait of people when they did not recognize their masked faces and those who stated that this difficulty affected their daily lives were higher in the OHC group (p=0.002 and p=0.009, respectively). The number of participants whose difficulty in recognizing masked faces decreased over time was higher in the YHC group (p=0.003). Conclusions: The PwP group demonstrated similar performance to their peers but differed from the YHC group in recognizing masked faces. Knowing difficulties experienced by elderly people in recognizing people who are masked can increase awareness on this issue and enhance their social interaction in pandemic conditions through measures to be taken.

RESUMO. Pacientes com doença de Parkinson (PcP) têm dificuldades de reconhecimento facial. Objetivo: Avaliamos as dificuldades de PcP em reconhecer rostos mascarados durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Incluímos 64 PcP, 58 controles saudáveis ​​mais velhos (CSVs) pareados por idade, 61 controles saudáveis mais jovens (CSJs) no estudo. O Benton Face Recognition Test-short form (BFRT-sf) e o questionário de 13 itens sobre dificuldades de reconhecimento facial devido a máscaras durante a pandemia desenvolvido pelos autores foram aplicados a todos os três grupos de estudo. Resultados: Ambos os grupos PcP e CSV tiveram pior pontuação no BFRT-sf quando comparados com o grupo CSJ (p<0,001 e p<0,001, respectivamente). O número daqueles que tiveram dificuldade em reconhecer as pessoas atendidas todos os dias e o número daqueles que pediram para as pessoas retirarem suas máscaras por não as reconhecer foram maiores no grupo PcP (p=0,026 e p=0,002, respectivamente). O número de indivíduos que olharam para a postura e marcha das pessoas quando não reconheceram seus rostos mascarados e aqueles que afirmaram que essa dificuldade afetou seu cotidiano foi maior no grupo CSV (p=0,002 e p=0,009, respectivamente). O número de participantes cuja dificuldade em reconhecer rostos mascarados diminuiu ao longo do tempo foi maior no grupo CSJ (p=0,003). Conclusões: O grupo PcP demonstrou desempenho semelhante aos seus pares, mas diferiu do grupo CSJ no reconhecimento de rostos mascarados. Conhecer as dificuldades vivenciadas pelos idosos em reconhecer as pessoas mascaradas pode aumentar a conscientização sobre essa questão e potencializar sua interação social em condições de pandemia por meio de medidas a serem tomadas.

Reconhecimento facial na prática forense: uma análise dos documentos disponibilizados pelo FISWG / Facial recognition in forensic practice: an analysis of the documents made available by FISWG

O reconhecimento facial na prática pericial tem sido discutido e submetido a muitos questionamentos nos últimos anos. Esse fato decorre do avanço tecnológico e consequente aumento da demanda dos exames em imagens nos organismos policiais e periciais. No contexto internacional, o Facial Identification Scientific Working Group (FISWG) coordena um debate constante sobre o tema e aponta para as limitações e aplicação das técnicas envolvidas. O objetivo dessa revisão é de interpretar e sintetizar o conteúdo dos documentos disponibilizados pelo FISWG, introduzindo o tema àqueles que estão iniciando na prática do reconhecimento facial. Os documentos compreendem toda uma construção de conhecimento que se inicia na contextualização da técnica, apresentação de um código de ética, a padronização da nomenclatura e áreas anatômicas de interesse, características do treinamento, comunicação e indicação de fatores que influenciam no processo, tais como a idade e distorções de imagens. Sendo a área de interesse da Odontologia Legal, os profissionais dessa especialidade podem e devem estar preparados para exercer perícias dessa natureza

In forensic practice, facial recognition has been discussed and subjected to many questions in recent years. This fact is due to technological advances and consequent increase in the demand for imaging examinations by the police and forensic agencies. In the international context, the Facial Identification Scientific Working Group (FISWG) coordinates a constant debate on the subject and points to the limitations and application of the techniques. The aim of this review is to interpret and synthesize the content of the documents made available by the FISWG, introducing the theme to those who are starting in the practice of facial recognition. The documents comprise a full construction of knowledge that begins in the contextualization of the technique, presentation of a code of ethics, standardization of nomenclature and anatomical areas of interest, characteristics of training, communication and indication of factors that influence the process, such as age and image distortions. Being the area of interest of Legal Dentistry, professionals of this specialty can and should be prepared to practice expertise of this nature

Tecnología de reconocimiento facial y sus riesgos en los derechos humanos / Facial recognition technology and its risks to human rights / A tecnologia de reconhecimento facial e seus riscos para os direitos humanos

El desarrollo de tecnologías dinamizadas por la inteligencia artificial (IA) representa un desafío adaptativo para ciencias tradicionales y rígidas como el derecho. Debido a las características de los diversos métodos o procedimientos usados de forma automatizada, se presenta una relación antagónica entre implementación de herramientas de reconocimiento facial y los derechos considerados garantías constitucionales y fundamentales en el sistema de derechos humanos. El objetivo es describir el funcionamiento de los sistemas de visión involucrados en la IA, presente principalmente en las herramientas de reconocimiento facial, examinando la manera como se relacionan con el derecho penal y reconociendo los riesgos a los derechos humanos en este proceso. Para ello, se usó una metodología cualitativa-inductiva, realizando análisis de fuentes primarias y secundarias, estudios de caso y legislaciones de diversas jurisdicciones relacionadas con reconocimiento facial y su aplicación en las etapas de indagación e investigación en el proceso penal. Como resultado se obtuvo que en dichas etapas existe un riesgo a las garantías de un debido proceso y de no discriminación.

The development of technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI) represents an adaptive challenge for traditional and rigid sciences such as law. Due to the characteristics of the various methods or procedures used in an automated way, there is an antagonistic relationship between the implementation of facial recognition tools and the rights considered constitutional and fundamental guarantees in the human rights system. The objective is to describe the functioning of the vision systems involved in AI, mainly present in facial recognition tools, examining how they relate to criminal law and recognizing the risks to human rights in this process. For this purpose, a qualitative-inductive methodology was used, analyzing primary and secondary sources, case studies and legislation from various jurisdictions related to facial recognition and its application in the investigation and inquiry stages of the criminal process. As a result, it was obtained that in such stages there is a risk to the guarantees of due process and non-discrimination.

O desenvolvimento de tecnologias impulsionadas pela inteligência artificial (IA) representa um desafio adaptativo para as ciências tradicionais e rígidas, como o direito. Devido às características dos vários métodos ou procedimentos utilizados de forma automatizada, existe uma relação antagônica entre a implementação de ferramentas de reconhecimento facial e os direitos considerados garantias constitucionais e fundamentais no sistema de direitos humanos. O objetivo é descrever o funcionamento dos sistemas de visão envolvidos na IA, principalmente presentes nas ferramentas de reconhecimento facial, examinando como eles se relacionam com o direito penal e reconhecendo os riscos aos direitos humanos neste processo. Para este fim, foi utilizada uma metodologia qualitativa-indutora, analisando fontes primárias e secundárias, estudos de casos e legislação de várias jurisdições relacionadas ao reconhecimento facial e sua aplicação nas fases de investigação e inquérito de processos criminais. Como resultado, foi obtido que nestas etapas há um risco para as garantias de um processo justo e não-discriminação.

El "efecto Tortoni" en la prosopagnosia / The "Tortoni effect" in prosopagnosia

Resumen La prosopagnosia es un tipo de agnosia visual caracterizada por la incapacidad de reconocer los rostros de las personas. Existen básicamente dos variantes, aperceptivas y asociativas. El "efecto Tortoni" es un fenómeno descripto por Bekinschtein y col. hace unos años en mozos de café en Buenos Aires, quienes utilizaban esta herramienta para recordar los pedidos de cada integrante de una mesa. Presentamos un caso de prosopagnosia asociada a lesión temporo-occipital bilateral secundaria a traumatismo encefalocra neano, manifestada en forma inicial por la falta de reconocimiento de rostros, con la utilización de una estra tegia asociativa similar a la descripta en el efecto "Tortoni" como compensación. Mujer de 62 años que sufrió un traumatismo encefalocraneano grave. Pocos meses después del evento, presentó dificultad para reconocer personas conocidas, hecho evidenciado por sus allegados cuando en una mesa los integrantes cambiaron su asiento, permanecieron callados por unos instantes, y posteriormente la paciente continuó nombrándolos por su ubicación previa. En la resonancia magnética de cerebro se objetivaron lesiones contusas de aspecto secuelar en región temporo-occipital bilateral. La prosopagnosia adquirida secundaria a lesiones focales en la región temporo-occipital generalmente bilateral, derecha, y raramente izquierda, es un cuadro poco frecuente. La es trategia utilizada en el "efecto Tortoni" fue en nuestra paciente una de las manifestaciones iniciales del cuadro. La realización de un test neuropsicológico ecológico que considere esta estrategia podría ser de utilidad en el rastreo y detección precoz de esta entidad.

Abstract Proposapnosia is a type of visual agnosia characterized by the inability to recognize people's faces. There are basically two variants, apperceptive and associative. The "Tortoni effect" is a phenomenon described by Bekinschtein et al a few years ago in waiters from Buenos Aires, who used this tool to remember the orders of each member of a table. We present a case of prosopagnosia associated with bilateral temporo-occipital injury secondary to head trauma, initially manifested by the lack of face recognition with the use of an associative strategy similar to that described in the "Tortoni effect" as compensation, in a 62-year-old female who suffered a severe head injury. A few months after this event, the patient had difficulty in recognizing familiar people, a fact evidenced by her relatives when at a restaurant table, they changed their seats, remained silent momentarily, and right after the patient kept naming them by their previous location. The magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed blunt sequelae lesions in the bilateral temporo-occipital region. Acquired prosopagnosia due to focal lesions in the temporo-occipital region, generally bilateral and right, and less frequently left, is a rare condition. The strategy used in the "Tortoni effect" was one of the initial manifestations of the condition in our patient. Carrying out an ecological neuropsychological test that considers this strategy could be useful in the screening and early detection of this entity.

Facial emotion recognition and its association with symptom severity, functionality, and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: preliminary results / Reconocimiento facial de emociones y su asociación con la gravedad sintomática, funcionalidad y deterioro cognitivo en esquizofrenia: hallazgos preliminares

Abstract Introduction There is evidence to suggest that individuals with schizophrenia have greater difficulty in recognizing facial emotions, which has been related to cognitive impairment and higher symptom severity in this disease and seems to lead to a worse functional prognosis. Objective To determine the association between facial emotion recognition and symptom severity, functionality, and cognitive impairment in a sample of schizophrenic patients. Method This is an observational, cross-sectional, and correlational study conducted on 72 patients. The following scales: PANSS, MOCA, ERI, and FACT-Sz were used to assess symptom severity in schizophrenia, cognitive functioning, facial emotion recognition, and functionality, respectively. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to measure the linear association between all variables. Results Overall, moderate symptom severity and mild cognitive and functional disability were found. The most frequently recognized emotion was joy (70%) and the least frequently recognized one was anger. A positive association was also found between anger recognition and severity of the PANSS cognitive subscale (r = - .24, p = .03), sadness recognition and severity of the PANSS negative subscale (r = - .24, p = .03), and the FACT-Sz score and fear recognition (r = .31, p = .008). Discussion and conclusion The present study yields preliminary results that provide a broader perspective on facial emotion recognition and, indirectly, social interaction and functionality in people with schizophrenia.

Resumen Introducción Existe evidencia de que los pacientes con esquizofrenia tienen mayor dificultad para reconocer las emociones faciales, lo cual se ha relacionado con el deterioro cognitivo que se manifiesta en esta enfermedad y con una mayor gravedad sintomática, que parece dar lugar a un peor pronóstico funcional. Objetivo Determinar la asociación del reconocimiento facial de emociones con la gravedad sintomática, funcionalidad y deterioro cognitivo en un grupo de pacientes con esquizofrenia. Método Un estudio observacional, transversal y correlacional realizado con 72 pacientes. Se utilizaron las escalas: PANSS, MOCA, ERI y FACT-Sz para evaluar la gravedad sintomática, el funcionamiento cognitivo, el reconocimiento facial de emociones y la funcionalidad, respectivamente. Se utilizó el Coeficiente de Correlación de Pearson para medir la asociación lineal entre dichas variables. Resultados Se encontró de forma global una gravedad sintomática moderada y una discapacidad cognitiva y funcional leve. La alegría fue la emoción más reconocida (70%) y la ira la menos reconocida. Se encontró una asociación positiva entre el reconocimiento de la ira y la gravedad de la subescala cognitiva de la PANSS (r = -.24, p = .03), el reconocimiento de la tristeza y la gravedad de la subescala negativa de la PANSS (r = -.24, p = .03), y la puntuación de la FACT-Sz y el reconocimiento del miedo (r = .31, p = .008). Discusión y conclusión El presente estudio muestra algunos resultados preliminares que nos permiten tener una perspectiva más amplia de lo que ocurre con el reconocimiento facial de emociones en la esquizofrenia y, de forma indirecta, en la interacción social y la disfunción que presentan quienes lo padecen.

Facial reconstruction: Validation of the Tedeschi-Oliveira method for estimating the pronasale point in Brazilians

Abstract Forensic facial reconstruction aids in the process of human identification by facial recognition. The nose plays an important role in this process; however, its soft tissues wither away during cadaveric decomposition. There are few studies in the area of facial recognition of the Brazilian population, especially concerning Brazilian nasal prediction guides. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the angle formed by the tangents drawn from the rhinion and prosthion points (nose tip) is equal to 90º, as proposed by the pioneer study by Tedeschi-Oliveira et al. (2016). It is important to highlight that this is the only method to date developed to predict the nasal tip in Brazilians, and has not yet been tested in other populations. Images of computed tomography scans of 228 individuals (171 females and 57 males) were screened according to the same criteria used by the authors of the primary study. The images were analyzed using the Horos® program, version 1.1.7 - 64 bit. The mean angle studied was about 90º, and any difference between this mean and the real angle measured did not significantly compromise the accuracy of the nose tip location. The findings tested in the present study corroborate the hypothesis investigated by Tedeschi-Oliveira et. al. Therefore, we suggest that the method be used in forensic practice to estimate nose tips in Brazilians.

Síndrome de Capgras: una revisión breve / Capgras syndrome: a brief review

Los síndromes de falsa identificación, grupo de patologías neuropsiquiátricas, con las delusiones de falso reconocimiento como denominador común, incluyen, entre otros, al Síndrome de Capgras, caracterizado por la firme creencia, por parte del paciente, de que una persona cercana a él/ella, generalmente un familiar, ha sido sustituida por un doble exacto o impostor , describiendo la similitud física entre ambos; en pocos casos, tal creencia se extiende a animales domésticos e incluso a objetos inanimados. Un alto porcentaje de casos se asocia a un trastorno orgánico cerebral de base, especialmente demencias neurodegenerativas, pero también puede ocurrir en enfermedades psiquiátricas primarias, tales como esquizofrenia y trastornos esquizoafectivos o afectivos. La exploración neurobiológica plantea diferentes hipótesis explicativas del síndrome, entre ellas los modelos de desconexión visuoanatómico de Ellis y Young, de lateralización de Gainotti y de distribución de redes neuronales de Gobbini y Haxby. El falso reconocimiento puede dar lugar a conductas violentas del paciente contra las personas implicadas como supuestos dobles , especialmente en casos de pacientes varones, con enfermedad psiquiátrica de fondo (i.e., esquizofrenia paranoide), con antecedentes de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas o presencia concomitante de alucinaciones auditivas imperativas. No existe tratamiento específico para el Síndrome de Capgras, pero ciertamente el cuadro psiquiátrico subyacente debe ser manejado con fármacos antipsicóticos e incluso terapia electroconvulsiva.

The false identification syndromes, a group of neuropsychiatric pathologies with delusions of false recognition as their common denominator, include among others, the Capgras Syndrome, characterized by the patient s firm belief that a person close to him/her, usually a relative, has been replaced by an exact double or impostor , describing the physical similarity between both; in a few cases, such belief encompasses domestic animals or inanimate objects. A large percentage of cases are associated with a basic organic disorder, especially neurodegenerative dementias, but it can also occur in a basic psychiatric illness such as paranoid schizophrenia, schizoaffective or affective disorders. Among the neurobiological explanations of the Capgras Syndrome, different models have been described: visuo- anatomic disconnection by Ellis and Young, lateralization by Gainotti, neuronal networks distribution by Gobbini and Haxby. The false recognition can lead to violence against the people involved, especially by male patients with an underlying psychiatric illness (i.e., paranoid schizophrenia), a history of psychoactive substance use or the presence of imperative auditory hallucinations. There is no specific treatment for Capgras Syndrome but, certainly, management of the underlying psychiatric condition with antipsychotic drugs and even electroconvulsive therapy, should be initiated.

Living with the elderly is related to a better performance in the recognition of facial expressions of emotion among older individuals

Abstract Background: Cohabitation with the elderly may bring benefits to social relationships and exert an influence on the recognition of facial expressions of emotion. Objective: Compare emotion recognition skills between a cohabitation group (CHG) of older adults who live with a dependent elderly individual and a non-cohabitation group (NCHG) of older adults who do not live with an elderly individual. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 62 older adults in the CHG and 56 in the NCHG. The two groups were similar with regard to gender, age, schooling, degree of dependence, cognitive performance, and depressive symptoms. A dynamic task with six emotions (anger, disgust, happiness, surprise, sadness, and fear) and four levels of intensity was administered to evaluate the recognition of facial emotions. Results: The CHG performed better than the NCHG regarding the correct identification of emotions, specifically surprise (60%), disgust (60%, 80%, and 100%), fear (80%), and sadness (80% and 100%). Discussion: Cohabitation with an elderly individual seems to offer benefits to older adults in terms of recognizing facial expressions of emotion.

Discriminative Effects of Social Skills Training on Facial Emotion Recognition among Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of social skills training (SST) on facial emotion recognition and discrimination in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Twenty-three children aged 7 to 10 years participated in our SST. They included 15 children diagnosed with ADHD and 8 with ASD. The participants' parents completed the Korean version of the Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL), the ADHD Rating Scale, and Conner's Scale at baseline and post-treatment. The participants completed the Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (K-WISC-IV) and the Advanced Test of Attention at baseline and the Penn Emotion Recognition and Discrimination Task at baseline and post-treatment. RESULTS: No significant changes in facial emotion recognition and discrimination occurred in either group before and after SST. However, when controlling for the processing speed of K-WISC and the social subscale of K-CBCL, the ADHD group showed more improvement in total (p=0.049), female (p=0.039), sad (p=0.002), mild (p=0.015), female extreme (p=0.005), male mild (p=0.038), and Caucasian (p=0.004) facial expressions than did the ASD group. CONCLUSION: SST improved facial expression recognition for children with ADHD more effectively than it did for children with ASD, in whom additional training to help emotion recognition and discrimination is needed.

¿Cuántas son las emociones básicas? Estudio preliminar en una muestra de adultos mayores sanos / How many are the basic emotions? Preliminary study in a sample of healthy old adults

Hay dos posturas sobre cuáles son las emociones básicas. La clásica plantea que las mismas son asco, tristeza, alegría, enojo, miedo y sorpresa; y la postura actual concluye que las emociones básicas son tristeza, alegría y la combinación de miedo/sorpresa por un lado y enojo/asco por otro. El objetivo será estudiar las fallas en el reconocimiento de asco, enojo, miedo y sorpresa, y la relación en el tipo de error producido en una muestra de sujetos mayores sanos. Se evaluaron 18 sujetos con la batería de Reconocimiento Facial de Emociones Básicas considerando las respuestas correctas y las elecciones incorrectas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que hay diferencias significativas entre los pares "miedo correcta-miedo por sorpresa"," sorpresa correcta-sorpresa por miedo","enojo correcta-enojo por asco" y "asco correcta-asco por enojo". Estos hallazgos apoyan la postura clásica sobre la existencia de las seis emociones básicas.

There are two main positions about what the basic emotions are. The standard posture establishes that the basic emotions are disgust, sadness, joy, anger, fear and surprise; however, the current position concludes that these basic emotions are sadness, joy and the combination of fear and surprise on one hand, and on the other, anger and disgust. The purpose will be to study the flaws on the recognition of the expressions of disgust, anger, fear and surprise, and the connection in the type of error produced in a cohort of healthy old subjects. 18 subjects were evaluated with the battery of Facial Recognition of Basic Emotions considering the correct answers and the incorrect selections. The results obtained show that there are significant differences between the pairs of ¨correct fear and fear by surprise¨, ¨correct surprise and surprise by fear¨, ¨correct anger and anger by disgust¨ and ¨correct disgust and disgust by anger¨. These findings support the standard posture about the existence of the 6 basic emotions.

Comparação entre cinco sistemas de digitalização 3D por fotogrametria aplicados à antropologia forense e odontologia legal / Comparison of five photogrammetry 3D digitizing systems of applied to Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Dentistry

A análise forense de restos mortais e outros vestígios pode ser complementada pela digitalização tridimensional (3D). A fotogrametria de curta distância, consiste na extração de informações geométricas 3D a partir de imagens fotográficas. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar cinco sistemas de digitalização (Photoscan®, 123dCatch®, ReCap360®, PPT-GUI® e OpenMVG®+MVS®) quanto à operabilidade e qualidade das malhas 3D geradas a partir de 42 fotografias de um crânio seco, tomadas com um smartphone. Duas escalas métricas ABFO nº2 foram posicionadas rente ao crânio. Após o processamento, as nuvens de pontos 3D resultantes foram convertidas em malhas 3D e/ou texturizadas quando necessário, e redimensionadas em escala 1:1. O número de vértices, faces, fator de escala e uma medida conhecida foram registrados. Recortou-se as regiões que não faziam parte do crânio e novamente o número de faces e vértices foi registrado. Para operabilidade, avaliou-se tempo de processamento, necessidade de conexão à Internet, funcionalidade limitada por versão não paga, texturização automática, entre outros parâmetros. Para qualidade, as malhas também foram avaliadas em seu aspecto visual, em seu aspecto quantitativo de vértices e faces, e diferença estatística das médias das medidas. Embora o uso de duas escalas idênticas tenha gerado artefatos, todos os programas geraram malhas tridimensionais adequadas, com algumas diferenças no resultado final e na operação. Cada ferramenta obteve resultados satisfatórios dentro de suas particularidades. Photoscan® teve operabilidade e resultados bons, porém seu custo pode ser um obstáculo. ReCap360® e 123dCatch® são fáceis de operar, mas dependem de Internet e possuem funcionalidade limitada.

Forensic analysis of skeletal remains and other evidence can be complemented by three-dimensional (3D) scanning. Among the available methods, close-range photogrammetry consists of extracting 3D geometric information from photographic images. The objective of this study was to compare five systems (Photoscan®, 123dCatch®, ReCap360®, PPT-GUI® and OpenMVG®+MVS®) regarding the operability and quality of 3D meshes generated from 42 photographs of a dry skull, taken with a smartphone. Two ABFO n.2 metric scales were placed next to the skull. After processing, the resulting 3D point clouds were converted into 3D meshes and textured when necessary, and resized in 1:1 scale. The number of vertices and faces was recorded. Then, all regions that were not part of the skull itself were cut out and again the number of faces and vertices was recorded. For operability, it was evaluated the processing time, need for Internet connection, functionality limited by unpaid version, automatic texturing, among other parameters. For quality, the meshes were also evaluated in their visual aspect and in their quantitative aspect of vertices and faces, and statistical difference of the mean of the measurements. Although the use of two identical scales has produced artifacts, all programs have generated adequate 3D meshes, with some differences in the result and operation. Each tool reached satisfactory results within its particularities. Photoscan® had good operability and results, but its cost may represent an obstacle. ReCap360® and 123dCatch® are easy to operate, but depend on internet connection and have limited functionality.

Reconstrução facial forense tridimensional: técnica manual vs. técnica digital / Three-dimensional forensic facial reconstruction: manual technique vs. digital technique

A técnica da Reconstrução Facial Forense (RFF) pode ser útil quando há pouca ou nenhuma evidência para a identificação humana, caracterizando-se como um método auxiliar neste processo. Existem duas maneiras de se conduzir a RFF em três dimensões: a manual e a digital. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a RFF de um mesmo crânio artificial utilizado para fins didáticos através dos dois métodos, digital e manual, e comparar os resultados obtidos, bem como as dificuldades e diferenças encontradas entre as duas técnicas. O protocolo da reconstrução facial tridimensional manual foi baseado no protocolo estabelecido por Taylor (2001) e a reconstrução digital foi baseada no protocolo de aproximação facial forense digital desenvolvido por Moraes e Miamoto (2015). Ao realizar a análise antropológica do crânio utilizado para a RFF, chegou-se ao perfil antropológico: espécie humana, sexo masculino, adulto (idade aproximada de 30 a 40 anos) e ancestralidade miscigenada, predominantemente caucasiano. Após o estabelecimento do perfil realizou-se a reconstrução facial manual e posteriormente a digital. Para a realização da determinação da espessura de tecidos moles, através de marcadores nos pontos craniométricos, foi utilizada a tabela desenvolvida por Beaini (2013). Concluiu-se que a reconstrução facial manual é possível de ser realizada por um operador leigo, sendo esta técnica a que mostrou maior subjetividade. Enquanto a técnica digital apresentou maior dificuldade pela falta de experiência do operador, resultando em uma reconstrução incompleta, devido à ausência do globo ocular

The technique of Forensic Facial Reconstruction (FFR) may be useful when there is little or no evidence for human identification, characterized as an auxiliary method. There are two ways of conducting FFR in three dimensions: manual and digital. The objective of this study was to perform the FFR of the same artificial skull used for didactic purposes through the two methods, digital and manual, and compare the results obtained, as well as the difficulties and differences found between the two techniques. The manual three-dimensional facial reconstruction protocol was based on the protocol established by Taylor (2001) and the digital reconstruction was based on the digital forensic facial approximation protocol developed by Moraes and Miamoto (2015). When performing the anthropological analysis of the skull used for the FFR, the anthropological profile obtained was: human being, male, adult (approximately 30-40 years old), and predominantly Caucasian ancestry. After the establishment of the profile, manual and digital facial reconstruction were performed. For the determination of the thickness of soft tissues, through markers positioned in the craniometric points, it was used the table developed by Beaini (2013). It was concluded that manual facial reconstruction is possible to be performed by a lay operator, and this technique showed the highest subjectivity. While the digital technique presented greater difficulty due to lack of operator experience, resulting in an incomplete reconstruction, due to the absence of the eye

Lateral visual hemifield asymmetry and sex differences in recognizing low and high spatial frequency filtered faces

The present study investigated whether low and high spatial frequency filtered images of faces were recognized differently when briefly presented in the right and the left visual fields of men and women. The method of confidence rating was applied to assess pooled Receiver Operating Characteristic curves based on z scores and the d´ parameter of Signal Detection Theory for recognition indices, in addition to response times. The results showed that men better recognized low spatial frequency filtered faces than high spatial frequency filtered faces in both visual fields, suggesting that both the right and left hemispheres in males prioritize low spatial frequencies to recognize faces. The results for women were similar to men only when the faces were shown in the left visual field. When the faces were presented in the right visual field, women better recognized high spatial frequency filtered faces, suggesting that the left hemisphere in females prioritizes high spatial frequencies, whereas the right hemisphere in females prioritizes low spatial frequencies to recognize faces...

Updates on Neuroimaging of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Focused on Responses to Fearful Facial Expression / 대한정신약물학회지

The neurobiological basis of emotional recognition, processing and regulation has been extensively studied over the past years. Especially, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be conceptualized as a dysfunction of fear circuit, thus, many studies focused on neural substrate of fear using functional neuroimaging. Neuroimaging studies of PTSD have suggested that the amygdala is hyperresponsive to fearful stimuli, which may be related to hyperarousal or reexperience symptoms of PTSD. The medial prefrontal cortex is hyporesponsive and fails to inhibit the amygdala. Researches also have acknowledged that abnormal activities in ventromedial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus might be associated with impairment of extinction of traumatic memory. Recent researches using facial emotional stimuli have suggested that PTSD involved not only dysfunction of fear circuit but also dysregulation of basic emotional processing. Despite the progress, many points are left which are yet to be clarified. Fear conditioning, contextualization, habituation and extinction should be investigated using novel paradigms that can explain the complexity of PTSD.