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*DEPICTION OF THE DEAD* ETHICAL CHALLENGES AND COGNITIVE BIAS *How does cognitive bias affect forensic facial depiction or the depiction of the faces of people from the past in archaeological investigations?What are the ethical challenges associated with facial images of the deceased and their presentation?* *A panel convened by Prof. Caroline Wilkinson and Kathryn Smith for Art, Materiality and Representation <https://www.therai.org.uk/conferences/art-materiality-and-representation>, British Museum, 1-3 June 2018* The depiction of faces of the deceased can be controversial and challenging, both in production and presentation. How do we balance the aims of public exhibition with the complexities of facial perception and appreciation, and do contemporary digital technologies present new and multifaceted challenges? This panel welcomes papers discussing the ethical challenges of presentation of faces of the dead. In addition, cognitive bias may affect the decisions we make relating to facial appearance and public exhibition, and this applies to both forensic and archaeological applications. Facial depictions utilised in forensic identifications and archaeological investigations are not portraits and cannot wholly represent the appearance of the subject. Yet in forensic cases there is a fundamental struggle between the objective of recognition/identification and the desire to produce a realistic and accurate image, and in archaeological cases there is a similar balance necessary between evidence-based and subjective interpretation. How do we make the decisions relating to skin colour, eye colour, hair colour/style, clothing, signs of ageing, BMI, pathology, trauma and ethnic group, and how do we know that these decisions do not reflect the cognitive bias associated with our understanding of ancient or contemporary populations? This panel also welcomes papers that debate the challenges associated with the depiction of people from the past and/or contemporary forensic casework, especially in relation to cognitive bias and interpretation. *If you are interested in presenting in this panel, please submit a paper before 8th Jan 2018*. *Direct link to panel details and submission* https://nomadit.co.uk/rai/events/rai2018/conferencesuite.php/panels/6306 *Convenor contact details* *Caroline Wilkinson* [log in to unmask] *Kathryn Smith* [log in to unmask] ~ Kathryn Smith MSc, MAFA, AFHEA, FRAI PhD researcher, graduate teaching assistant MA Art in Science <https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduates/art-in-science-ma> Face Lab <https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/news/face-lab>, Liverpool John Moores University School of Art & Design <https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-arts-professional-and-social-studies/liverpool-school-of-art-and-design> IC1 Liverpool Science Park 131 Mount Pleasant Liverpool L3 5TF T: +44 (0)151 482 9605 https://ljmu.academia.edu/KathrynSmith