Computer Software Advances Facial Composite Use as an Investigative Tool
More and more law enforcement agencies are adopting the use of facial composite software programs as a replacement for facial composite sketches drawn by artists. The reason for this implementation? Agencies do not possess the funding to employ a full-time sketch artist, nor can they afford to risk credibility by contracting a civilian sketch artist. In order to combat these problems, agencies are researching and discovering that a computer software designed to create facial composite sketches is more cost-effective and, arguably, more multifaceted than traditional hand-drawn facial composites. Tech geniuses already exist within criminal justice departments, so training them in the use of another type of software is no daunting task. “Converting from pencils to pixels is easy.” Although this appears to be the best route for law enforcement agencies looking to retain the use of facial composites, there are a few considerations to keep in mind: the quality of the image the computer produces, the time that it takes to thoroughly interview the eyewitness, training to keep up-to-date with the program, and the cost of the software itself.
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Source: forensicmag.com
Citation: Streed, M. W. Forensic Magazine. From Click to Capture: Making the Case for Digital Composite Images. Retrieved September 11, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/07/click-capture-making-case-digital-composite-images#.Ui_SdWTBK7M
