Investigative sketch software more popular than sketch artists
Even wrinkle lines can help detectives find a suspect. Different techniques are used by detectives to learn more about a suspect’s appearance and computer software is quickly becoming the preferred option. Detective Blau, from the Cache Valley Investigative Department said using a sketch artist or another method to identify a suspect has become a timely, out-of-date system and technology is now available to speed up the process. Blau said computer software, called Identi-kit, is used in the Cache Valley Investigative Department to develop sketches of suspects in large cases. He said these cases either did not involve a camera or it was unable to get a clear view of the suspect. He said the use of the software has been rare but it has been a great tool for the investigative department in Cache Valley. “We’ve only needed to use the program three times since I have been working here,” Blau said. “But it’s helped and is a good addition to have.” According to Blau, Identi-kit use to be a flip book filled with pages of different facial features. He said after he attended a burglary robbery training some years ago, the instructor told him about a face recovery software and Blau decided to learn more. “Once we got back from the training, we decided to hit our staff up about what we use,” he said. “Nobody mentioned that we had any type of program like this at all.” Blau said after realizing that the only tool the department used was a flip book he wanted to upgrade and get something similar to Identi-kit, only as computer software. Blau said after calling around, he discovered Identi-kit had created an updated software. Blau got the approval and bought the software for the department. Blau said the software is easy to use and quick to learn. To use the software, the detective enters a series of known information about the suspect. For example, the name of the suspect, a range of how old the suspect is, the build and height of the suspect and the length and color of hair. Blau said the detective is then able to enter specifics of the suspect’s features. Blau noted that the program has a large variety of facial features for a victim to choose from. For example, 68 nose shapes are available.
Blau said it is often hard for a victim to remember the exact features of a suspect and the detectives understand the description of the suspect will not be exact. “Robbery victims and violence crimes victims usually won’t attain a lot of information, and that’s understandable,” Blau said. “Especially if you have a gun pointing right at you, all you remember is how big the gun was.” Blau noted it is hard for a victim, especially one whose case involved a gun, to come in and tell everything they know about the suspect. Blau said in circumstances such as these, the detectives will bring the victim in several days later. They will then ask the suspect to picture the scene of the crime, but place themselves as a third party member. He said by picturing the event from this persepective, it gives the victim a better recollection of the experience.
-courtnie.packer@aggiemail.usu.edu