A damage assessment module operating on a computer system generating a model undamaged roof shingle includes using a method based on the average nearest-neighbor distance. The damage assessment module identifies a set of points comprising a first point cloud representing a first shingle and a set of points from a second point cloud representing a second shingle. The damage assessment module then calculates an average nearest-neighbor distance for the set of points. Based on the average, the damage assessment module calculates a threshold distance. The damage assessment module then stores the set of points to memory as a point cloud representing a model roof shingle that can be later retrieved and compared to point clouds of individual shingles. The damage assessment module improves the consistency and accuracy associated with assessment of the roof and eliminates the need for the estimator to use subjective assessment results, which can be inadequate.