"Forensic art is the artistic technique used in the identification, apprehension or conviction of a wanted person. This person may not necessarily be a criminal, but could be a missing person or an unidentified deceased person. These forensic images can be admissible in a court of law.​"

 

- Basic Definitions, Forensic Art Scope, International Association of Identification

https://theiai.org/forensic_art_scope.php

 

With uses in the criminal justice system and wider area of security and identification services, the Forensic Artist has a broad spectrum of skills which can be expressed through various applications, including:

• Composite Imagery

  • Creating a cohesive image of a face from a witness' description. The main aim of a finished image is to be a sufficient likeness to the described individual in order to aid recognition and identification. The finished sketch need not be a polished and pleasing 'art piece', as this is not its purpose.

• Postmortem of Facial Reconstruction

  • Based on images of decomposed or damaged faces that have gone beyond the possibility of identification. The Forensic Artist's role is to create a pre-mortem version of the face to aid identification. This can be a sketch or a digital drawing or even a clay sculpture depending on the time and resources available. The overall aim is to aid identification.​

• Image Modification

  • Enhancing an image for the purpose of comparison with another image, clarifying information or updating. An artificial age progression is an example of updating an image; this is utilised in missing children cases, when they may have gone missing at a young age and an investigation is ongoing many years later, hence an estimation of their matured face may be useful in finding them.​

  • Superimposition comes under comparison here. This involves comparing two or more images where the aim is to ascertain whether the people present in the image are one and the same person or not.

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Due to the vast range of capabilities, the Forensic Artist must also have extended knowledge in interview techniques, mechanisms of human memory, witness psychology, aging trends, head and neck anatomy, digital imagery enhancement, photography and the interactions of artists with the criminal justice system.