Abstract: The method and device are used for at least regional determination of an outer contour of a body. For this purpose, a contour element is used which can be formed at least regionally according to an outer contour of the body. The shape of the contour element in a state formed by the body is stored by modifying at least one material property of the contour element. After elastic removal of the contour element from the body, another manipulation of the contour element is carried out in such a way that the shape of the contour element in the state formed by the body is determined by evaluating the modified material property.