Stephen Mancusi

Forensic art is an artistic technique used in the identification, apprehension, or conviction of wanted persons. Forensic art encompasses several disciplines including composite art, image modification, age progression, and facial reconstruction. However, composite art is traditionally the most commonly known discipline of forensic art. The art of composite drawing has been used by police agencies throughout history. When one recalls the Old West, the classic wanted poster with a drawing of a "Bad Guy" comes to mind. These drawings were composites.

Composite Art is an unusual marriage of two unlikely disciplines, police investigative work and art. The cop-artist, almost an oxymoron, possesses both skills. The police sketch artist can create a quality facial drawing with assured confidence. Though drawing skills are important parts of composite art, the real challenge is in the ability to interview and relate to a victim or witness. The purpose is to successfully gather, interpret and illustrate the information obtained from the victim's memory.

In the past thirty years, the police artist has evolved into the discipline for forensic art. The forensic artist possesses knowledge of victim psychology, facial anatomyand human aging. These artists currently use traditional art mediums and digital imagery to create these successful investigative images.

The Police Composite Sketch
by
Stephen Mancusi
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