Taking Forensic Art To The Next Level

Remote composite sketches is it possible?, do they work? I have recently found out the answer to that and YES they do work. As a forensic artist myself I was so excited to see forensic art be taken to a new level and something that I myself will be adding to my services.
Sure remote composites are not new, some artists will say they have been doing them for years, however the technology that ID Forensic Art uses is just awesome and takes it to a different level. Don't be mislead, it may be digital art but the artist still has to manually draw the composite so art skills are a must.

ID Forensic Art has had huge success and it can only get better. The images you are seeing are the work of forensic artist Natalie Murry who is one of the artists behind ID Forensic Art. Natalie uses a Cintiq Wacom tablet for the sketch and video conference software for interviewing victims or witnesses, and don't worry the software is pretty much compatible with any computer.

As you can see Natalie has introduced colour to her sketches enabling her to set skin tones, eye and hair colour. There are mixed feelings about using colour amongst forensic artists, but I say each to their own, if it works for you you, use it. I personally like the colour touch and is something that I will be looking into at a later stage.
 I have been fortunate enough to actually see Natalie at work on the Cintiq, when she showed us a demo during a Karen T Taylor class I attended this year. We were all pretty impressed but then again Natalie probably made it look easy.

So, lets hear it for ID Forensic Art. I can only image what this must mean for small or remote Police Agencies that other wise would not have access to a forensic artist, now they have one at their fingertips, any time of the day or night across of the whole of America, and I am sure we will see this implemented across the across the world.

Just imagine how this is going to develop the possibilities are going to be endless, I for one am very excited about that.

https://www.leadsonline.com/main/leadsonline-sketches/about-sketches.php

Karen T Taylor Workshop: Age Progression

Day 1 of Karen Taylor Workshop. Today we utilised age progression. Age progression is used when an up to date depiction of a fugitive is needed or when a person has been missing for many years. A forensic artist must develop skills in order to process this type of forensic art. Many facial feature change over the years, skin looses its youthful look, hair recedes and lips can become thinner. Most changes are fairly predictable, for example wrinkles, sagging skin, what is most important is to know the persons life style such as eating habits, did they smoke, did they drink on a regular basis all these examples will show in the face as it ages.
Another way of progressing a face is by studying parents and siblings. Do they genetically age faster, is baldness predominate in the family and at what age.

Today I aged progressed Humprey Bogart. This is a prime example of how a persons life style reflects in the face. Bogarts face had aged progressively fast making him look much older then he was.

Example age progression Dr Clyde Snow

http://www.forensicmag.com/article/forensic-art-age-progression

Forensic art In Wolverhampton

I was invited to attend an event that was to show the many talented people we have here in Wolverhampton. I was asked to show my Forensic Art and was delighted to be able to do a live demonstration while I was there

The event was hosted by Wolverhampton Homes at the Molineux Stadium home of the Wolves and sponsors of Wolverhampton Homes.
I felt honoured to has been included in this event and I really hope that I have brought some attention to one of many crime fighting tools we have. I have been asked to participate in another one towards the end of the year and we hope to include the presence of other Police Organisations.


If you have any questions about forensic art, or are just interested in finding out about this valuable tool then please visit my website where you will find, videos, articles and illustrations that my be of interest to you.


www.billinghamforensicimages.com

Police Release Sketch of Unidentified Possible Serial Killer Victim

NEW YORK –  Police have released a composite sketch of an unidentified victim whose remains were among those of 11 people found along a remote New York beach highway last year.

The sketch released Saturday is of a woman whose partial remains were found along Long Island's Ocean Parkway last April. Suffolk County police say other remains of the same person were also found on Blue Point Beach, Fire Island, in April 1996.

Investigators believe a possible serial killer is responsible for 10 of the bodies. The remains of an 11th victim -- a 24-year-old woman named Shannan Gilbert -- were found in late December. But authorities say Gilbert accidentally drowned.

Suffolk County police are asking anyone with information about the woman's identity to contact them or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/08/police-release-sketch-unidentified-possible-serial-killer-victim/#ixzz1isjKVJaE

3D Facial Reconstruction

                             3D Facial Reconstruction

                    The process of reconstructing the face using 3D facial reconstruction

Identity of an unknown person usually derived from skeletal remains. This process is used when all traditional means of identifying the remains have been done. The reconstruction is done from a clean skull, if the skull still has tissue attached to it the skull will need to be cleaned in order to start the process of reconstruction.

Tools needed

• Oil Based Clay between 10-12 lbs
• 6" Steel Ruler In Millimteres
• Wire Tool Sculpting Tool
• Flat Wooden Spatula
• Point Wooden or Metal Tool
• Boley-Style Gauge in Millimeters
• Plastic Roller
• X-acto Knife And Blades
• Acetone Soluble Clear Glue
• Cotton Balls
• Vinyl Machine Erasers Strips, Used As Markers
• #40 Grade Sand Paper
• Stand For Your Skull (This Can Be Made)