Forensic Art

Forensic art can be considered a combination of art and science. Art is the subjective element, applying human talent, knowledge, and discretion. The artist uses scientific principles of anatomy and physiology, as well as documented research findings, to create a product that aids the legal process. The information is expressed visually rather than verbally. The forensic artist can turn a victim's description into a picture to be circulated in the media or an unidentified body into an image recognizable by family members. The finished product may be a representation of a victim or an offender. Forensic art is of particular importance in the identification process—missing persons, suspects in crimes against persons, and unknown human remains. The human face is the most frequently depicted focus.

The need for the recording of facial features was recognized by Dr. Alphonse Bertillon in the late 1800s. Bertillon was an anthropologist who worked for the French SÛreté and saw the need for indexing the features of career criminals and to be able to prove their identity. He devised a system of measurements of the face and body that were thought to be individual enough in combination that no two offenders would match. The system was used widely until fingerprint classification took precedence. It provided a strong base for future forensic art development.

The major categories in which forensic art is used today are composite imagery, image modification and identification, demonstrative evidence, and reconstruction.

Composite imagery is most often related to creating a face from the verbal descriptions of individuals witnessing criminal activity. The likeness can then be distributed to law enforcement agencies that may be involved in pursuit of the suspect. It may also be forwarded to the media in an effort to engage the assistance of the public.

In the past, such images were produced by hand. Victims and witnesses would be interviewed by forensic artists, who would then translate the information given into an image of a suspect. Composite imagery now can be accomplished through the use of kits that have been developed specifically for this purpose. These kits allow the witness to mix and match various facial features until a satisfactory likeness is created. Computer programs have also been used successfully to create composites in an efficient manner.

Image modification takes into account the passage of time or life events that can cause a change in appearance. Circulating a 10-year-old photo may be of little or no value. An updated likeness of a known individual is of particular importance when a fugitive has been at large or a child has been missing for a prolonged period of time.

A remarkable example of image modification is the case of John List, a New Jersey man who was responsible for the deaths of his mother, his wife, and their three children in 1971. Starting with a photograph, sculptor Frank Bender of Philadelphia created a three-dimensional bust of List that ultimately resulted in his capture after 18 years at large. Bender incorporated personality traits and medical history as he created the sculpture. He learned that List had surgery that would probably result in a particular area of skin sag on his neck and included this feature. He even gave thought to the type of eyeglass frame that List would prefer. The similarity to the glasses List was wearing when captured was uncanny.

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