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02/17/2009: "Racial admixture can be quantified by analysing an individual's face"
Facial traits vary among humans, but do tend to group by population. For example, in general, West Africans have wider faces than Europeans and Europeans have longer faces than West Africans.
From their DNA profiles, Shriver could determine the admixture percentages of each individual, how much of their genetic make up came from each group. He could then compare the genetically determined admixture to the facial feature differences and determine the relative differences from the parental populations.
"This type of study, done on admixed populations shows that each person is a composite of their ancestors and that the range of facial features is a continuum," says Shriver.
Shriver found that there was a very strong statistical correlation between the amounts of admixture and the facial traits.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090214162756.htm