A survey of the statistical theory of shape (Q1120185)

Starting in 1977, the author has written a series of papers on mathematical and statistical aspects of shape [see e.g. Theory Probab. Appl. 31, 407-412 (1987; Zbl 0626.60016), and Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 16, 81-121 (1984; Zbl 0579.62100)]. In this paper a survey is given on that subject. In order to understand this theory of shape one has to know quite a lot of geometry. But it is not only abstract mathematics. There are many applications in other sciences where it can be useful as pointed out in the paper.