The Computer Sketch Artist is responsible for obtaining the description of a suspect wanted for a crime, by asking the victim to describe the different facial features that the suspect has. These features are then entered into a computer program and the result is a composite picture of the suspect. 

Prior to computers, I used what was called the Identi-Kit. This kit consisted of thin plastic transparent foils that had different drawings of facial features. I would take one separate foil of each feature, and place them on top of the other to create the face of the suspect. The outcome to say the least, was very crude indeed. We used to call the finished product a "Mr. Potato Head". Thank God for computers! I have never been of the artistic persuasion and even have trouble drawing stick figures! 

While using the computer program, I would normally sit down with the victim and ask them to describe what the suspect looked like. I would have them describe in as much detail as they could remember what different facial features the suspect had. I would then go into the program which had a database of many styles of noses, eyes, lips, hair etc. I would pick out the facial features that looked the closest to what the victim had described. Hopefully, after all parts of the face were assembled, the image that looked back at me and the victim was that of the suspect.

I can remember one time I was in court testifying on a case involving a robbery suspect. I was explaining to the jury how I came to make the picture of the suspect that committed the robbery. The computer sketch came out almost identical to that of the robbery suspect. The judge was amazed at how close the image looked to that of the real suspect. In my explanation to the jury, I actually used some of the judges facial features to describe how a victim would describe a suspect to me. I stated that the judge had very pronounced cheek bones, and that something like that can be a very good identifier on someone. After realizing that I might have over stepped my boundaries with the judge, I looked over at her. She smiled at me and said, "thank you officer for the compliment"......phew!!! 

The ability of the police to use computers to identify suspects is an invaluable tool. I am sure there were many suspects that thought they would never get arrested, because the victim would not be able to properly identify them. Lucky for the victim, my computer had the final say on that.

Continue on to learn more about my time as an Intoxilyzer Operator.