{
  "abstract": "Forensic face specialists are tasked with comparing facial images to determine identity, a process often guided by protocols emphasizing a comprehensive analysis of the full face. However, the strategies specialists employ regarding feature prioritization and accuracy based on specific features remain under-explored. This study investigated the decision-making processes of forensic face specialists using a novel task where participants matched an occluded probe image to one of two target identities by selectively revealing isolated facial features (e.g., ears, eyes, nose). Feature presentation was either self-selected by the specialist or revealed in a predetermined order based on similarity benchmarks. Results indicate that specialists are highly efficient, frequently achieving accurate identifications while viewing only one or two facial features. Ears were strongly preferred by specialists, but they displayed adaptability, altering their selection strategies based on the similarity of the visible features in the target images. The implications of these findings extend to the training and procedural guidelines for face specialists, highlighting the need for a focused approach to developing identification techniques that enhance accuracy in forensic contexts.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America.",
    "Systems Plus, Inc., Rockville, Maryland, United States of America."
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Carina A Hahn",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-8114-0942"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "P Jonathon Phillips"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "John D Grantham",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2219-0944"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Amy N Yates"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fvsx8tz5tq19w.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359520",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13686473",
  "id": "fvsx8tz5tq19w",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359520",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1707|Face recognition and analysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Head/Ears"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Head/Face"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Head/Face/Forehead"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Head/Face/Nose"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognition/Decision making"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognition/Memory/Face recognition"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognitive psychology/Decision making"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Face recognition"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception/Vision"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Learning and memory/Memory/Face recognition"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Sensory perception/Vision"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Decision making"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Face recognition"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception/Vision"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Head/Ears"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Head/Face"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Head/Face/Forehead"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Head/Face/Nose"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Diagnostic medicine/Clinical laboratory sciences/Forensics"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Decision making"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Face recognition"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception/Vision"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7127167165",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13686473?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13686473",
  "pmid": "42905638",
  "published": "2026-10-21",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fvsx8tz5tq19w.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:23Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359520",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359520"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:53Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42905638",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42905638"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:neuroscience",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:anatomy",
      "subfield": "physiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Facial feature prioritization by forensic specialists",
  "title_text": "Facial feature prioritization by forensic specialists",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:53Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fvsx8tz5tq19w",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}