The SketchCop® Blog

I’m frequently asked which case was my most difficult and why?

My answer? Any case that involves children, both as a victim or eyewitness.

Anytime a child is the victim of a crime, the pressure to solve the case can be tremendous. As adults, especially parents, we are given the awesome responsibility of protecting children, even those who are not ours. Children are the future. They should be nurtured and protected. Often defenseless, they can be easy prey for those who wish to commit predatory acts. As a society, we have an obligation to see them safely to adulthood.

Now, let me jump off my soapbox and tell you how this applies to my work as a police sketch artist. Listening to stories about child victims can be horrific. To successfully interview a child eyewitness, or someone who witnessed a crime against them, I must always find a way to detach.

Sometimes the pressure can be suffocating, especially when the sketch I’m being asked to produce is the only lead in the case. But, when you’re a professional, you step up. Any emotion I might feel is saved for when the sketch is completed. Later, when the day is over and I’m away from the scene, I can find a quiet place to re-energize.

As eyewitnesses, children feel similar pressure. They may not verbalize their feelings, but they can feel when all eyes are upon them.

In cases where I’ve had to rely on child eyewitnesses, I’m thankful they rose to the occasion. Many times, they helped make the case.

My most successful sketch, using a child eyewitness, occurred in 2002, when 5-year old Samantha Runnion was abducted by a stranger. The only witness to the crime was her best friend, also 5-years old. We worked together to produce a composite sketch that helped solve the case.

If you would like to read more about the case and the effectiveness of child eyewitnesses, click on the link.

So, whether the time is ticking for a kidnapped child whose life is in the balance, or you’re sitting in front of a doe-eyed child who experienced an event no one should have to endure, the police sketch artist must remain the consummate professional. These cases can be high-energy and emotionally taxing. All your energy should be directed to supporting the victim. My advice is to check your emotion at the door. That will help keep your stylus, or pencil, steady so you can do the best job possible. The rest, you can deal with later.

Reflecting on my career, I’ve been fortunate to establish great relationships with the people I’m asked to help. I especially enjoy working with my law enforcement partners.

To learn more about the special relationship I share with the Baltimore, MD Police Department, please watch the video.

 

Hello everyone, it’s Michael W. Streed—The SketchCop®. I’m excited to announce the launch of our first monthly newsletter bringing you tips, case reviews, news, and other information related to forensic art.

Starting this year, I decided to expand my training events by offering online distance learning opportunities. Providing this opportunity will allow all of you that are interested in forensic art to take specialized training classes at your own convenience and not miss a chance at taking an on-site training class. You can sign up for the classes AND the newsletter at: https://sketchcop-online-academy.teachable.com/

If that sounds good to you, then let’s get to it…

Did you know that there are very few full-time forensic artists? Today, most forensic artists have primary jobs within a police department, such as: police officer, police service officer, detective, investigative assistant, crime scene investigator, crime analyst and secretary, just to name a few. For most, their assignment as a forensic artist is a collateral duty that they integrate into their everyday assignments.

Many of them already have an educational background in art, or they just enjoy drawing. But, because their role as a forensic artist is ‘part-time’, they must always be ready to use their skills any time they are called upon by detectives. This is where high-quality, relevant training comes in.

There are so many facets when developing a sketch, it’s important that you understand your role in the process. Developing a composite sketch is a collaborative effort between the forensic artist and anyone who is the victim, or an eyewitness to a crime. In some cases, this witness may be a friend yours, or family member. Whoever they may be, our goal is to gently coax them into providing vital information critical to creating a usable sketch.

Over the years I have been involved in many heartbreaking, high-profile cases. Someone asked me the other day how I deal with the weight that comes with them. My answer is simply this – “although I CAN’T help what HAPPENED to the victims and their families, I CAN help with what HAPPENS to them afterwards as they begin the healing process. To play a role in something so positive makes sharing their burden a much lighter load.”

Some say because of new technology, the skills and experience of traditional forensic artists will no longer be needed. I disagree. Instead, I think with new technologies that push digital drawing and software-driven sketches into the mainstream, the skills of forensic artists are needed more than ever. Take for instance the following case I worked on. It involves using a traditional facial reconstruction technique that police hoped would identify a 2001 homicide victim.
I can’t help but think that if I was using technology available today, the victim might be identified and a suspect would be in-custody. But, I might still have a chance to revisit the case.

To learn more, read the article and I’ll keep you posted about what happens.

Welcome back to our blog! The staff at SketchCop Solutions has been working hard on developing new products and training to help law enforcement make the move from pencils to pixels. Our new tagline – The Digital Difference in Facial Imaging and Identification reflects our commitment to further influence the direction of the forensic facial imaging market. Our core facial composite software products, Frontalis® Facial Composite System and SketchCop® FACETTE Face Design System, remain popular with both law enforcement and the academic community.

SketchCop Solutions supports these products through a variety of training options driven by our textbook – Creating Digital Faces for Law Enforcement, released in March 2017 by our publishing partner, Elsevier/Academic Press.

And despite our successes, there is still much more work to be done. Please check back often as we will make periodic announcements about new product releases and upcoming training on our blog.

And, because our website is also the home of Michael W. Streed – The SketchCop©, there will be periodic posts regarding true crime and Michael’s book releases and media appearances.  Here at SketchCop.com, there’s little of something for everybody – those on the front line fighting crime and those who like to read about it, or watch it on television.

In the meantime, stay safe and take care of one another!