The team from the University of Bologna, who remodelled this face, believe it was bent and crooked.

Once a complete cast had been re-created the artists began applying the flesh.

They used computer technology and new forensic techniques to simulate the muscles with plaster, plastic and other materials.

Professor Gruppioni concedes that superficial details on the face, such as wrinkles and the expression around the eyes and mouth, are slightly speculative.

But he is confident that the shape of the head, the proportion of the eyes, nose and mouth were as you see them.

"It was the closest we could come to it," said Professor Gruppioni. "We put no expression on the face just its form," he added.

"When we finished it, he looked more ordinary, like the guy next door. I thought this would have caused a scandal but most people think he looks more human."