Coherent optical correlation: a new method of cranial comparison.
In this paper an analog method known as coherent optical correlation is used to compare photographs of cercopithecine monkey skulls. Each comparison yields a measure of overall similarity in three-dimensional shape because the photographs are coded to preserve depth information. The coding system involves projecting an array of circular dots onto each specimen with an ordinary 35-mm slide projector. Photographs of the array taken from one side of the projector make ideal inputs for optical correlation analysis. Preliminary results indicate a reasonable ability to discriminate between different cercopithecine monkey skulls. This finding encourages further development of the proposed method as a shape investigation tool. Possibilities for application exist in many skeletal and somatological problems of form.