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Police sketch artists assist law enforcement in identifying suspects, as well as identifying skeletal remains or missing persons. They obtain details from victims or witnesses and create composite sketches or use computer-generated composites, facial reconstruction in clay, or age progression to locate missing children. While a college degree is not required, formal art classes and a certification in forensics are helpful.
Usually a police sketch artist will assist law enforcement in identifying suspects in a crime. However, they can also help agencies identify skeletal remains or missing persons. Performers work for a variety of law enforcement agencies, including city police departments and county sheriff’s offices. They may also work with federal law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
Performers must first obtain information from a victim or witness. This requires excellent communication skills. The draftsman must be able to get a traumatized individual to remember details and interpret them correctly in order to draw a composite sketch of the suspect. Because much of the work is with crime victims, psychology and criminal justice classes may be helpful.
A police sketch artist will need to get details about a suspect, such as weight, height, age, and ethnicity. Next, he’ll ask for more specific information about your facial features, including the shape of your eyes and the size of your nose and mouth. Victims and witnesses will be asked to recall anything that makes the suspect stand out, such as a scar or beard.
Composite drawings are just one means of creating an image of a suspect. Some law enforcement agencies use computer-generated composites. After details of facial features have been obtained from a witness, the police draftsman enters the information into special software programs, which interpret the data and create a sketch. While police departments find computer composites useful, some law enforcement agencies still prefer hand-drawn composites.
Other techniques used by a police sketch artist include facial reconstruction in clay. This technique involves measuring the skeletal remains and creating a clay model of the face. Photographs are then taken and distributed to the press to help identify the remains. Sketch artists can also use computer-generated age progression made from photos to help locate a missing child.
While a college degree is not required to become a police sketch artist, formal art classes that teach composite drawing are helpful. Forensic art or composite drawing classes are offered in colleges and technical schools, as well as online. While not mandatory, some performers have a background working with law enforcement in some capacity.
A certification in forensics is offered by the International Association for Identification. Applicants must have two years of experience in some type of forensic art, such as composite drawing. In addition, a portfolio with photographs of completed sketches that have been used in the investigation must be submitted. After all prerequisites have been completed, candidates must pass an exam.
