A composite sketch is a sketch of an offender or suspect of
crime produced by an artist based upon a description provided by a witness or
victim.
The procedure begins by undertaking a cognitive interview to help the witness’ memory when providing a
description of the offender/suspect. This method of interview is known to
encourage uncontaminated and often additional information from the witness.
After interview, under the witness’ direction, a composite
is produced, continuously checking feature shape detail as well as considering
the proportions of the face using any selected features.
A composite sketch or computerised image can never be an
exact ‘portrait’ of the offender/suspect but should generate a good ‘type
likeness’ to aid an investigation and is used as an ‘investigative tool’ to provide an image
of the type of person the police might be looking for in connection with an
offence .
It has been identified worldwide that appropriately produced
composite images have proved invaluable to police investigations and can be a
vital means of helping to identify a perpetrator.
Janet Richardson serves on the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers - UK) Working Group for Facial
Imaging and can help with advice and
information provided in the form of National Working Practices that are
published and regularly updated by the Group.
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