From a Google translation of an interview conducted by Maria Chiara Strappaveccia with Piero Savarino. the scientific advisor to the Papal Custodian of the shroud published yesterday in L’Indro:
Began an initial period of organizational and preparatory work that enabled him to begin work on 20 June 2002. It began with the unwrapping of the patches, and then with that of Holland cloth. With the removal of the patches was noted that the amount of material semicombusto was greater than the assumed one. Then it was provided to collect and catalog all the material, indicating for each sample the precise site of collection. Even the filaments are not strictly bound to the sheet were collected and cataloged but were not made cuts or burns on the edges or on the edges so as not to affect the textile does not compromise. At the end of this phase of work, the Shroud, unstitched cloth from Holland, was later turned over to gain access to the back of the sheet. It was noted that the figure of the man of the Shroud was not visible on the back while the bloodstains were. Was provided then perform a series of photographs to document this side not normally accessible. Was effected then a detection scanners. The scanner was brought on different positions by means of a translation system with mobile bridge able to reach all positions on the Shroud without dragging effects. On a limited number of positions, corresponding to particular sites (areas with bloodstains, areas corresponding to image areas with strinature) previously identified on the normally visible, some withdrawals were made by the method of adhesive tapes Method, widely tested and used in campaign of studies carried out by STURP in 1978 . In the same positions were made some spectroscopic measurements (UV-VIS spectroscopy for reflectance and fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy). Finally were made of photographic recording using a special microscope whose objective could be brought (by means of the usual mobile bridge) on individual sites previously identified. All data collected, the samples taken, photographs, scans and all the carbonaceous material and semicombusto, properly cataloged and provided minutes of collection were delivered to the Papal Custodian, at the time the Card. Severino Poletto). At the end it was provided to stitch the Shroud on a new linen cloth (also of Dutch origin) in order to provide the necessary support to the mechanical tarp badly damaged by fire in 1532 and not in a position to be able to exist without adequate external support. The whole was placed on the appropriate bed sliding and suitable to be housed in the display case of preservation. The project was completed July 23, 2002.
(bold emphasis mine)
My understanding was that there was a very faint image of the face on the reverse. Has anyone else heard of this and if so why was it not mentioned in the interview above I wonder?
Chuck Hampton – Dallas, TX