A child of the ’80s, Kathryn Smith was brought up on episodes of Police File and MacGyver. ‘I think the first time I knew facial reconstruction was possible was from an episode of MacGyver. I remember watching it – I think I was 12 – and I thought, “Okay, this is it.” It obviously stuck with me.’
These days, Kathryn is an interdisciplinary visual artist, curator, and senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Visual Arts, although it is her work around forensic facial identification and depiction that has grabbed our attention. With her expertise in both traditional and digital visual and artistic imaging, she plays a vital role in assisting with the identification of unknown people, both living and deceased. Kathryn specialises in giving a face to unidentified bodies – bringing an end to these people’s stories or opening a new chapter in uncovering what happened to them.
‘For every unidentified body, there is a missing person. It’s what I call a silent mass disaster in South Africa,’ Kathryn says. Although the exact number is hard to pinpoint, she estimates there are probably 10000 unidentified bodies arriving in morgues around the country every year. And in the case of unidentified murder victims, bringing the perpetrator to justice is almost impossible without a positive ID. She hopes, through her work, to bring some form of peace to families.
A LOVE OF TRUE CRIME
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July/August 2023 من Fairlady.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July/August 2023 من Fairlady.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Easter with edge
Grant knows what it's like to miss out on the celebrations that anchor family life.
The MALE bias
Historically, medical studies were mainly done on male mice and on men; and then extrapolated to treat women, as if a female body were just a smaller version of a male one. Here’s why that doesn’t make sense, and how to work with your body’s natural rhythm for better health.
Wellbeing
How to sleep better, feel better and look better!
The other type of CHEATING
Lies about money can have devastating consequences in a relationship.
THE 'PEST' IN PESTICIDES
oe r Despite many highly Hs hazardous pesticides being banned in their countries of origin, 192 of them are still legally exported to South Africa
START A BUSINESS LIKE a Saffer
There's nothing quite like a South African entrepreneur. In the face of adversity, they innovate and persevere. But what fuels that determination? We chatted to some self-starters to find out.
How to take the MONOTONY OUT OF MONOGAMY
It's easy to get complacent in a long-term relationship. Before you know it, your partner is little more than your roommate. Here's how to shake things up.
SUPER TROUPER
At one point, Josie Borain was the most famous model in the world. Her face was on every magazine that mattered. And in the madness of all that attention, she never lost her sense of self. She talks to us about turning 60, being single, and starting her third act with a move to the platteland.
Little wonder
Over the years we have visited 16 Greek islands, but when we first set foot on Halki, the little-known gem just south of Rhodes, we knew we'd found the closest thing to the perfect one. And we vowed to return. Often.
HOME AFFAIRS
These three entrepreneurs are redefining the heartbeat of homes through their unique blend of creativity, sustainability and purposeful design.