The statement that the devs were re-using the asset of a mutant BSAA soldier that we can see at the end of RE8 for RE9 because they were too lazy to make another one is BS. Let me explain:
The only character models with helmets that aren't just 'empty' are the BSAA soldiers and the Hound Wolf Squad. The HWS is using human models for obvious reasons (you can see parts of their faces, the mask don't cover everything). The reason for using a character model that is very obviously not human for the BSAA soldiers is intentional because it's definitely not needed. You can't see through the visor of the helmets and there isn't a sliver of skin visible anywhere.
Let's take a look at the other masked characters Leon encounters:
These gents that ambush Leon after he enters Ark: Empty.
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The next batch of soldiers that Leon has to fight: Empty.
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The hunkiest of Hunks: Empty.
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And then there are these guys.
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And that's what's under the helmet of every single BSAA soldier with the exception of the dude that hands Grace a cup of tea:
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We can therefore conclude that the devs using a character model that is very obviously not human for the BSAA soldiers is intentional. You could argue that it's way too unlikely that they added something that you can only see with free cam, but we are still talking about the same devs that make you flush the toilet 8 times while you carry around a doll, a hacked-off monster hand and the most ridiculous code that is based on the distance of the moon and whatnot just to hear two girls giggling at one point during your 39nth playthrough. Using free cam to take a peek under the helmets is less insane than this. Lazy means not adding models at all. Using the old RE8 model just for the BSAA soldiers has a meaning.
⋆｡˚ So, what does this mean? What are they trying to tell us: Well, this is the moment when we can start guessing.
The really weird thing is that the BSAA BOW character model looks a lot like Chris. It even has the small imperfections Chris' teeth have. There is a small gap between the teeth in the bottom row and one tooth is a tiny bit crooked. The BSAA BOW's teeth have the same imperfections.
My guess is, it's a story option they are keeping for RE10 or even later. Chris putting and end to this whole mess of the BSAA using his DNA to create human(ish) looking BOWs sounds like an interesting story. Leon, Claire and Jill supporting him would be chef's kiss.
