Michael provided investigative support to the cases listed below:
- Escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, CA – Prison Break
- DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, MX (Victim) – Kidnap/Murder
- Baton Rouge Serial Killer, LA (Multi-Victim) – Murder
- Samantha Runnion, CA (Victim) – Kidnap & Murder
- Anthony Martinez, CA (Victim) – Kidnap & Murder
- Anna Palmer, UT (Victim) – Murder
- Ha “Jade” Smith/Anita Vo, CA (Victim) – Double Murder
- Somerton Man (South Australia) – Unidentified person
- Rachel Morin, MD (Victim) – Murder
(Ret.) Police Sergeant Michael W. Streed, better known as “The SketchCop,” is a highly sought-after Police Sketch Artist and award-winning, internationally recognized Forensic Facial Imaging Expert living in Southern California.
For nearly 45 years, Michael has dedicated himself to his work, using his extensive law enforcement experience and artistic skills to help investigators solve their most challenging cases.
During his career, Michael‘s work has been instrumental in identifying cop killers, serial killers, serial rapists, and other violent predators who have kidnapped, robbed, shot, or stabbed innocent victims.
His endorsement of digital platforms ensures his sketches are displayed in detective squad rooms worldwide, serving as a haunting reminder of the evil that lurks among us.
Many of these sketches never appear in the media, but they are no less important. Michael approaches each case like author Michael Connelly’s fictional LAPD Detective Harry Bosch, whose credo is…” Everybody Counts, or Nobody Counts.” Though fictional, this point of view is consistent with Michael’s focus on helping detectives solve cold case crimes, serial crimes, human trafficking, and disaster victim identification regardless of the victim’s status.
Michael’s police sketch artist career began in 1980 under the mentorship of LAPD’s famed Police Composite Artist, Fernando G. Ponce. After Ponce’s retirement, Michael served LAPD detectives in twenty-two police stations and several specialty units for nearly three decades.
In 2011, Michael reached a career milestone when Baltimore Police selected him to become their first full-time Police Sketch Artist. He single-handedly built their Forensic Facial Imaging Unit from the ‘ground up’ while managing one of the country’s busiest forensic art caseloads in one of America’s most violent cities. Michael later led the unit to become the ‘first-of-its-kind’ and was awarded ISO 17020 accreditation.
In 2015, Michael converted the department’s Forensic Facial Imaging Unit to a digital operation, becoming the first large city police agency to provide such resources online. Today, he remains the Baltimore Police Department’s Police Sketch Artist.
Michael’s commitment to staying at the forefront of his field is evident in his adoption of new technology. In 2022, he became certified in Skeleton ID software, a cutting-edge, AI-assisted solution that helps match 3-D models of unidentified human remains to 2D photographs of missing persons in cases where DNA or other identification techniques are limited.
As the CEO of SketchCop® Solutions, Inc., Michael has invested in state-of-the-art communications platforms and digital tools that connect him with law enforcement agencies throughout the continental United States and beyond. His facial composite software app – SketchCop®, is used by law enforcement agencies worldwide.
CLICK HERE to schedule a case consultation with Michael. To download his press kit, click on the button below.