Forensic Facial Reconstruction. Betty Pat. Gatliff | Skullpture® Lab — facial reconstruction on the skull for identification. Forensic Art Information Guide. Forensic Art Thinking About A Forensic Science Degree? Find a Forensic Science School Forensic Art (Photo Credit: FBI) What is Forensic Art? According to renowned expert Karen Taylor "forensic art is any art that aids in the identification, apprehension, or conviction of criminal offenders, or that aids in the location of victims or identification of unknown deceased persons.
" There are four major categories of forensic-art: Composite Imagery: Image characteristics of the human face, including images drawn by hand; computer generated imagery and or "identi-KIT" style composites. Image Modification/Identification: Process by which photographic images are manipulated and enhanced, e.g., age progression drawings. Demonstrative Evidence: Includes visual information used in court. Reconstructive/Postmortem Drawings: Relates to artisit methods employed to help identify human remains. Brief but interesting video featuring forensic-artist Suzanne Baldon. Quality Links Forensic-Art Links Essential Reading. Forensic Art Links - Forensic Faces Institute. Written in Bone - Forensic Facial Reconstruction. The skull provides clues to personal appearance. The brow ridge, the distance between the eye orbits, the shape of the nasal chamber, the shape and projection of the nasal bones, the chin's form, and the overall profile of the facial bones all determine facial features in life.
Image courtesy of: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History In facial reconstruction, a sculptor, such as Amy Danning pictured at left, familiar with facial anatomy works with a forensic anthropologist, to interpret skeletal features that reveal the subject's age, sex, and ancestry, and anatomical features like facial asymmetry, evidence of injuries (like a broken nose), or loss of teeth before death.
Markers indicate the depths of tissue to be added to the skull (a cast in this case). The finished product only approximates actual appearance because the cranium does not reflect soft-tissue details (eye, hair, and skin color; facial hair; the shape of the lips; or how much fat tissue covers the bone). Forensic Facial Imaging. Highly-trained forensic artists from the FBI Laboratory’s Forensic Imaging Unit (FIU) stand ready to assist in federal, state, or local agencies with forensic facial imaging support. These services are provided at no cost to the agency.
We provide technical support for the following: Composite DrawingsAge-Progressed ImageryPost-Mortem ImageryFacial Approximation from Skeletal Remains Composite Drawings Hand-drawn facial composite sketches prepared by experienced forensic artists are valuable in providing useful images of unknown criminal suspects. FBI artists travel both domestically and internationally and use video teleconferencing technology to conduct composite interviews.
Age-Progressed Imagery Forensic artists can prepare enhanced, age-progressed images of fugitives, as well as endangered missing individuals using older arrest, official, or family photos as resources. Postmortem Imagery Facial Approximation from Skeletal Remains. Ask a Forensic Artist - The Ultimate Forensic Art Resource. IQ Biometrix | Faces Software | Facial Composite Software. Forensic Art. Forensic art is a law enforcement artistic technique used in the identification, apprehension, or conviction of wanted persons. Forensic art encompasses several disciplines including composite art, image modification, age progression, post-mortem reconstruction and demonstrative evidence. However, composite art is traditionally the most commonly known discipline of forensic art.
The art of composite drawing has been used by police agencies throughout history. When one recalls the Old West, the classic wanted poster with a drawing of a "Bad Guy" comes to mind. These drawings were composites. Composite Art is an unusual marriage of two unlikely disciplines, police investigative work and art. The cop-artist, almost an oxymoron, possesses both skills. In the past twenty years, the discipline of composite art has evolved into forensic art. The Police Composite Sketch by Stephen Mancusi Click icon for more information.