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Forensic Facial Imaging Course

Forensic Facial Imaging

This three-week course is designed to provide comprehensive forensic art training for law enforcement, crime lab, or military personnel who have been designated by their agency to produce composite drawings from witness descriptions. Students will receive one-on-one training from experienced FBI forensic artists, with additional lectures and demonstrations by noted law enforcement and academic professionals.

Course Topics Include:

• facial anatomy, structure, proportion and feature studies
• drawing male and female faces in front and profile views
• drawing different racial groups
• pencil shading techniques
• improving drawing accuracy and speed
• facial aging techniques
• fundamentals of the memory process
• active listening techniques
• cognitive witness interview techniques
• protocols for conducting the composite interview
• the composite interview - practical exercises
• multiple witness interviews
• proper use of facial reference materials
• drawing from surveillance images
• drawing accessories and disguises
• interviewing children and traumatized witnesses
• working with interpreters to conduct a witness interview
• signs of deception and false allegations
• working with the media
• accurate record-keeping
• courtroom demeanor
• moot court testimony practical exercise

Prerequisite: Students must be actively working in the field of forensic art, or have been designated by their agency to produce artist composites at the completion of this training. This is a drawing-intensive course; although prior art training is not required, it is strongly recommended that applicants have some level of drawing experience and skill.

Home | Student Instructions | Training Application | Virtual Academy | Course Descriptions | FY09 Course Schedule