Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Faces




Ever seen "composite sketches" like this before on TV?

In the past, a sketch artist would be called in to draw a picture from the descriptions given to him/her from victims and witnesses to a crime.

And not too long ago (and still used by some agencies) a composite sketch kit called an "Identikit" was used to help witnesses try to remember what suspects looked like. Numerous transparencies were laid on top of one another to make up the final face.

Today, computers are often used to make the "sketch" with a program called "FACES." Choices are made as to hair style, eyes, nose, frown lines, lips, etc. It's a very fast way to make the sketch. In the hands of a skilled person, a "sketch" can be made in just a few minutes with the right description.

I put these composites together rather quickly, but you get the idea. This is a powerful tool to help catch criminals and also to help with missing persons. The sketch of the two men are the same except for the eyes and the spacing between the eyes. Makes him look different, doesn't it?

I recall going to the post office when I was young and seeing all the "wanted" posters of criminals posted there. Some had actual photos and others had composite sketches. Today, I don't see these in my post office. So I asked, "Whatever happened to all the posters?" They still have them! They just post it in the back rooms now where the public can't see them. Wonder why they do that?!

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