Investigators often call upon forensic artists to assist them during criminal cases. Especially, when the only available evidence is an eyewitness description.
To increase their opportunity for success, the forensic artist must carefully evaluate and interview the eyewitness to create the 'perfect' image from their 'imperfect' memory.
Sound difficult? Sometimes it is. But, it can be done. The question is - how?
In this course, you'll discover how forensic artists put their skills to work. Students will examine the facts behind an actual case solved by a composite sketch.
This mini-course is perfect for:
*Anyone who wants to learn how a forensic artist does his/her job
*Anyone wanting to increase their knowledge about composite sketches
*Forensic students who want to learn the process it takes to create a composite sketch,
*Forensic professionals who want to learn a new skill
*Forensic Artists who want to review & reinforce their skills
*Material is suitable for beginners & those with previous experience
Those attending Forensic Art in Criminal Investigations will view a series of presentations that demonstrate the value of using a composite sketch during criminal investigations. This includes the steps involved in conducting an interview and creating a composite sketch.
As an introductory course, instruction will include:
*Case Analysis + Update
*Steps included in the Investigative Process
*Steps in the Development of the Composite Sketch
*The Completed Suspect Sketch
* An Analysis & Comparison of the Sketch via Split Screen Comparison
*Quiz
Your Instructor
(Ret.) Police Sergeant Michael W. Streed is an internationally-recognized forensic facial imaging expert based in Southern California. For 39 years, Michael has blended his rich law enforcement experience and artistic skills to provide forensic facial imaging services to some of the largest, most diverse, police agencies in the United States, including the Los Angeles and Baltimore City Police Departments. As Baltimore Police Department’ s first ever, full-time, Forensic Artist, Michael was tasked with establishing the Forensic Services Division’ s Forensic Facial Imaging Unit. He built the unit from the ‘ground up’ while managing one of the busiest forensic art caseloads in the country. Michael’s efforts were rewarded when his Forensic Facial Imaging Unit was the first-of-its-kind to receive ISO 17020 accreditation.
Michael’ s long and distinguished career as a forensic artist paralleled his law enforcement career. The experience he gained investigating violent crimes, sexual assaults and juvenile crime helped him develop highly-specialized interview skills which Michael adapted for his role as a police sketch artist. His unique perspective on eyewitnesses, coupled with strong communication skills, has made Michael one of Southern California’ s most sought after police sketch artists. Those same skills helped him develop successful police sketches in many high-profile cases such as: The Samantha Runnion murder, the Anthony Martinez murder, the Baton Rouge serial killer, and Orange County’ s (CA) Fortune Teller murder. Now, Michael is ready to pass along his knowledge to the next generation of forensic artists through his SketchCop® Online Academy.