Contact: Philip E. Dayvault, DATUM ENTERPRISE LLC, 919-839-8779, siped@datument.com

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 2, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Last Judgment fresco and a portion of the Ceiling fresco by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel contain the encoded image of the face of the Man of the Shroud of Turin, the traditional burial cloth of Jesus Christ. A brief video clip which graphically demonstrates the encoded face is now available at:
www.datument.com/encoded-poc-video-clip-pr.html.

This discovery was made in 2003 by investigative researcher, Philip E. Dayvault, of Raleigh, NC. The conclusion is based on distinctive pattern recognition, the detection of identifying individual characteristics and a superimposed progressive overlay comparison of both images. It is also concluded, based on circumstantial, documentary and physical evidence, and coupled with logic and reason, that Michelangelo unknowingly painted the features of the encoded image within the Sistine Chapel. Many landmark groupings of figures and elements within the frescoes represent the same identifying features present on the Shroud, thereby, comprising the encoded image. Michelangelo never saw the encoded image...it only became potentially observable with the first photograph of the Shroud taken in 1898!  However, exactly how the encoded image was made remains unknown.

Importantly, the two frescoes were painted at different times in history. The Ceiling was painted from 1508 to 1512 and the Last Judgment on the Altar Wall was painted from 1535 to 1541. During the interim years there were three different popes, each of whom could have commissioned anyone to paint the Altar Wall. As fate dictated, Michelangelo was summoned 23 years later to paint the Last Judgment fresco. Reluctantly, he acquiesced...although he would have preferred to sculpt.

Dayvault, a former Special Agent and Physical Science Technician with the FBI, utilized the preferred principles and methodologies for facial review and identification. This research involved extensive comparisons and iterations of the two images. Slight scaling of the Shroud Face was required to accommodate for the parallax, focal distance and lens variations present in each available Sistine Chapel photograph. This Progressive Overlay Comparison technique and resulting image have been critically reviewed by several Shroud colleagues and a forensic expert who concur with Dayvault's conclusions. Some of the numerous individual features include the "Epsilon-like," or "reversed-3," bloodstain surrounding Jonah, the off-centered bifurcated beard, the apparent eye orbits, the circular cheek wound, unique chin markings, etc.

To view the ENCODED article and additional information, please visit: www.datument.com.

Philip E. Dayvault
DATUM ENTERPRISE, LLC
Post Office Box 18372
Raleigh, NC 27619-8372
siped@datument.com
919-839-8779