Jesus as a boy: Italian police unveil photo fit based on evidence from Shroud of Turin

Italy: This image purports to show the face of Jesus Christ as a young boy.

Police in Italy released the photofit as the iconic Shroud of Turin is set for another exhibition.

Detectives used the latest in forensic technology to analyse the shroud and have today released their findings.

The most famous length of linen ever shows what is believed to be an image of Jesus of Nazareth.

While nobody knows how or why the image in the material was created, some suggest it was once the Christian prophet's burial shroud.

Now, new images showing the reverse-aging process and how they were made will be the basis for an upcoming documentary on Italian TV.

The image was first released in 2004 and has now been re-released to coincide with the TV show.

However, the true reason was to mark the latest ostensione – Italian for demonstration – or exhibition of the shroud.

While the Vatican has accepted the importance of the relic, the Catholic church has refused to give a stance on its authenticity.

Turin Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia said about the relic last month: "It is not a profession of faith because it is not an object of faith, nor of devotion, but it can help faith."

He did, however, suggest that many tourists who come to visit the shroud will return.

"That means there is a fundamental need in people's hearts to renew this incredible experience that they had the first time they saw it," he said.

"Even non-believers will come. It's an occasion that brings everybody together."

Elena Guarnieri, the host of the news special, said: "It came to us an illumination, maybe it was inspiration, What was his face like?"

"If that is the face on the shroud, then this is the face of Jesus as a child."