A facial composite is a graphical presentation of an eyewitness's memory of a face, as recorded by a composite artist. Facial composites are used mainly by police forces in dealing with crime, generally in investigating serious crime cases.
Methods of facial composite construction
Construction of the composite can be made by sketching and painting, by software or by use of transparent templates, e.g., Smith & Wesson Identi-Kit®, the latter being used less in the recent years as it is being supplanted by Smith & Wesson's own Identi-Kit® software product. In the U.S., the FBI maintains that hand-drawing is the correct method to construct a facial composite. However, many police agencies use software, since developed artistic talent is often not available. The most popular software in the U.S. is FACES. In the UK, E-FIT is used and has become synonymous there with the term facial composite.
Use of facial composites
While the classic use of the facial composite is the citizen recognizing the face as an acquaintance, there are other ways where a facial composite can prove useful. The facial composite can contribute in crime combat in the following ways:
- Identifying the crime perpetrator in a Wanted poster.
- Additional evidence against a suspect.
- Assisting investigation in checking leads.
- Warning vulnerable population against serial offenders.
Notable cases
Some important cases where facial composites assisted in identifying the perpetrator:
- The Oklahoma Bomber Timothy McVeigh.
- Hagamannen serial sexual assaulter in Sweden.
- The Baton Rouge Serial Killer Derrick Todd Lee.
