A 3D-printed skull was used in a trial that concluded with the conviction of four men on murder charges. 

The model was designed by a team at the University of Portsmouth, using a digital model that relied on data provided by Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary’s imaging unit. It supported the pathologist’s testimony and allowed the jury to visualise trauma to the victim, Frazer Brabant. 

“This was an unusual case because the victim had survived some very traumatic injuries and spent three months in hospital before he sadly passed away,” said Dr Morgan Lowther, senior scientific officer at the university. “This meant that there were hospital-quality X-ray scans of his injuries, which we could use to reconstruct the anatomy.

“Using the digital model provided by the hospital scans, we could 3D-print a physical copy, building up material layer by layer. The exhibit was made from a material called PLA [polylactic acid], and by adding an internal...