(soft, mysterious music)
- I believe that the word cold cases is wrong,
because it could be perhaps something that's
in a drawer somewhere in an office,
but their families hasn't forgotten them.
They are still looking for them,
and I just wanna do my best to help.
- [Narrator] When authorities have failed
to identify the remains of a body,
there is very little hope of closure
for these John and Jane Does.
But every year, an enterprising studio of student artists
use their knowledge of the human form
to try and breathe life into these cold cases.
- Here, we're doing a forensic reconstruction of a real case,
trying to get it as close as he used to look like
when he was alive, so we can identify him.
(plucked string music)
We are given a 3-D print, not the real skull.
We use it as a framework, so we can reconstruct
the anatomy of the individual.
First, we start adding the muscles
on the framework given by the bone,
and then we try to complete those things
that are not so clear, like the ear or the mouth.
Right now, I'm working on a Caucasian white man,
between 40 to 60 years old.
There are indications that he lost his teeth
when he was alive, and his bones are telling me all that.
- [Narrator] These lifelike models are provided
to authorities, often reinvigorating investigations
and bringing much-needed closure to loved ones.
- After my first experience last year,
I was lucky enough that the person was identified,
and I got this beautiful letter from the family members,
saying "Thank you."
When we see this process, it feels almost like
you're resuscitating someone.
But I know that beyond that,
what you're resuscitating is the life
of those families that are looking for this person.