Shroud__A_Scientific_Study.mp4
Shroud Image - Class 1 Evidence.pdf
Section 4- Image Characteristic Evidence.mp3
This source, "Image Characteristic Evidence," delves into the unique scientific features of the body and blood images found on the Shroud. It systematically categorizes these characteristics into those related to the cloth itself and those concerning the body depicted. Key findings highlight the image's extraordinary superficiality, meaning the coloration exists only on the very surface fibers of the linen, and the absence of artistic mediums like paint. Furthermore, the document emphasizes the three-dimensional properties of the image, where image density correlates with the distance between the cloth and the body, and forensic evidence confirming the presence of human blood that was on the cloth before the image formed. Collectively, these seventeen detailed characteristics provide crucial data for evaluating various hypotheses about the Shroud's origin.
This briefing document summarizes the key image characteristics of the Shroud of Turin." It categorizes findings into those related to the cloth and those related to the body, emphasizing the scientific observations and their implications for understanding the Shroud's formation.
The document highlights several unique properties of the image as it appears on the linen fabric, suggesting a complex and unusual formation process.
Nearly Uniform Optical Density of Frontal and Dorsal Images (C1): The lightness and darkness of both the frontal and dorsal body images are remarkably similar, making it difficult to visually discern which is more apparent. STURP (Shroud of Turin Research Project) confirmed this near-identical maximum optical density and noted that the "Shroud image is continuously shaded to some degree over its full extent," with "some discoloration of thread fibrils, except at the location of the bloodstains."
Extreme Superficiality of the Image (C2): The image coloration is remarkably shallow, residing only on the outermost surface of the linen threads. The interior fibers of the threads remain uncolored. Research suggests this color may be confined to the 0.2µm thick primary cell wall of the fibers. STURP's microscopic examination (32X and 64X magnification) and transmitted light photographs confirmed this shallow discoloration. "STURP member Alan Adler reported that the thin, colored layer on image fibers could be reduced with a special chemical... leaving colorless, undamaged linen fibers behind." Evidence of this superficiality includes "ghosts" of colored image fibers found on STURP tape samples.
Colored image fibers at bridge of nose. STURP Photomicrograph ME-29
Double Superficiality of the Frontal Image (C3): Uniquely, the frontal image shows a superficial image on the front of the cloth, no image in the middle, and another very faint superficial image on the backside. This phenomenon, reported by G. Fanti and R. Maggiolo in 2004 after a 2000 study of the Shroud's backside, is observed in areas corresponding to the face, hair, and potentially hands.
Absence of Dorsal Double Superficiality (C4): In contrast to the frontal image, there is "no superficial image on the backside of the Shroud opposite to the dorsal image." This suggests a distinct formation mechanism for the dorsal image or a more limited extent of the double superficiality.