Not every case warrants calling in a police sketch artist. It’s not because the victim of that particular crime isn’t important, and there’s no grand conspiracy plan in place either.

It’s just that there’s an awful lot of crime out there, and budgets and manpower are limited. Time is always a factor since most forensic artists do this work as a collateral duty within their agency. Is it worth it to the agency to send out a forensic artist, whose primary duty may be a homicide detective, out to do composite for a minor theft? Maybe, if there have been a rash of them, and they think it might be a serial offender and there’s been a big public outcry to get something done. But, if the only forensic artist is the detective with a full caseload, then probably not. If it were a child abduction case, then there’s no question; that detective will be out there doing a drawing if they have a good witness.Even if every agency in the United States had a forensic artist on staff, it would be tough to keep up with it all.

The other reason for considering whether to do a composite is information overload; there are only so many composite drawings you can release every week and expect the public to pay attention each time. Every artist wants to get out there and do as many drawings as they can, but agencies have to pick their battles when it comes to doing a composite.

The opposite end of the spectrum isn’t always the best approach either. “If there’s a case, there’s a face” has become the motto in some large agencies. Somewhere along the line, public opinion dictated that the agency needed to prove it was doing all it could to combat crime by having a composite done any time there was a witness who saw anything that looked remotely human. I’m being a bit facetious here, but attempting to do a composite when there isn’t anything of value to draw isn’t the wisest use of anyone’s time.

Many artists don’t have the say in whether or not a composite is done, either. The witness can tell the artist that they didn’t see a thing: it was midnight, the robber was wearing a ski mask, dark glasses, and standing behind a tree. But if it’s a hot case and their agency wants it, guess what, there’s going to be drawing.

As a colleague of mine once wisely offered, “the last two words you’ll hear me say in situations like this is “yes, sir.”

What makes a composite drawing worth using?

There are three things you need in order to produce a good quality composite:

• A witness that remembers what they saw and is able to relay it to the artist;
• An artist with solid drawing skills who is trained in the cognitive interview process; and
• Law enforcement personnel that will vigorously pursue the case.

If any one of those three things is missing or falls short of the mark, then that drastically and negatively affects the overall value of the composite.

If the witness doesn’t remember something, well, they just don’t remember. They may be able to recollect portions of the face, but vital areas could be complete blanks in their mind. Memory is a tricky thing; you can’t fault them for being human. Besides, every forensic artist I know, myself included, has a secret fear that they will someday be a witness of crime, and then we’ll be the ones on the hot-seat trying to give a description!

Many times, a forensic artist will come across the problem of an edentulous skull: how can we do a facial approximation when there are no teeth? How do you know how the mandible will articulate to the skull? Do it incorrectly, and you could significantly alter the shape of the unidentified person’s face.

A guideline offered in several forensic art textbooks is to take a pencil or dowel, pass it through the mandibular notch, under the pterygoid process (or “plate”) of the sphenoid, and out through the opposite notch. This method is known to forensic artists as the “pencil trick” and, theoretically, would give an estimate for the proper placement of the mandible, like this:

It would be great if this worked all the time…unfortunately, it just doesn’t.

I know this because I decided to test it out, all in the name of science, and pure curiosity. With access to hundreds of skulls that had their teeth, I quickly discovered that using a pencil as a guideline gives no better estimate for articulating the mandible than pure guesswork alone. Of course, we shouldn’t be guessing at this sort of thing, and using a pencil, as you’ll see, is really no help at all.

Here’s the problem: this method is dependent on two things: the shape of the wings of the pterygoid:

…and the shape of the mandibular notch. A shallow notch allows less room for the pencil to fit:

…and a deep mandibular notch like this gives more room for the pencil to fit:

Mix that up with the pterygoid, and there’s no telling what you’ll come up with. Here’s what happens (below) when the notch is shallow, and the pterygoid is simply not cooperating. There’s no way that pencil is fitting in there, without the mouth gaping open wildly. I purposely used a skull that still had it’s teeth, so you could see for yourself that the articulation is wrong:

UPDATE: Betty Pat Gatliff called me a few days and questioned whether I had a spacer over the condyle. Yes, I did, according to the directions given in Karen T. Taylor’s “Forensic Art and Illustration.” You can see the hot glue there next to the pencil holding it together:

Here’s another skull, same problem:

And the opposite can happen when the notch is very deep, and/or the pterygoid process isn’t very pronounced, or any number of varaible in between…there’s so much room, the mandible can almost fit over the top teeth. Think about it: if you were handed this skull and there were no top teeth, you’d mistakenly think that the pencil “worked” because it fit. Sure, it “fits” ….but it doesn’t give the proper articulation:

I can tell you, it didn’t take long for these problems to become glaringly apparent. After the fourth or fifth skull, I knew I was on to something.  I went through about 40 skulls in one session, and probably as many more after that testing it out (on skulls without teeth!)  Sure, a pencil worked sometimes, but sometime, or mostly, not.  And, if it is not an accurate predictor in the majority of cases, there’s no point in calling it scientifically based. 

How could we have thought for so long that this trick would always work? Skulls are obviously organic; no two are alike. And the structure of the mandible doesn’t have anything to do with the pterygoid. I’m the type of person that tends to question things, so when I’m in a room with a hundred skulls, the wheels started turning!

So, what should you do instead if the pencil trick isn’t fool-proof predictor? Your best bet is to consult with a forensic odontologist, in addition to an anthropologist. You should always be working with a forensic anthropologist when you do facial approximations anyway, whether they are 3D or 2D, so this shouldn’t be a problem (hint, hint).

Anthropologists can get clues by looking at the wear and tear on the condyle and mandibular fossa where it articulates. Depending on the condition of the skull (resorption of the bone due to ante-mortem tooth loss, or post-mortem animal and rodent activity, etc) the anthropologist might only be able to give you an educated guess. But that’s better than a Ticonderoga pencil!

*** UPDATE: Betty Pat Gatliff called me about post, and we had a lengthy conversation about it. She insisted that she’s been doing this for 45 years, and it always works for her when she has an edentulous skull. I have no doubt about that, but what I questioned was, how do any of us know it’s the *correct* spacing?

So I need to point out something that I didn’t emphasize enough in my original post: I tested this on skulls with teeth  Why? Think about it: the best way to see if a pencil is an accurate predictor of articulation is to try it on skulls that have teeth, and see if the pencil fits perfectly or not. Otherwise, if you only use edentulous skulls to test a method, how do you know you’re right? You don’t.

If you test the pencil method using a skull with teeth, it should fit snugly. You shouldn’t have to try to jam it in there, and you shouldn’t have a lot of wiggle room either. If this technique is to be viable predictor for articulation, it should work in the vast majority of cases. If it doesn’t, then it’s not quite scientific, is it?

“Eight months after an unknown man attacked a Woodward employee outside the company’s main gate in Fort Collins, a watchful resident’s tip led to criminal charges.

 Raul Valentine Laureles, 21, of Fort Collins turned himself in Tuesday at Larimer County Jail. A warrant was issued for his arrest last week after an unnamed resident overheard a conversation at a restaurant, according to a news release from Fort Collins Police Services.

The resident had recognized from school the two women who were talking about the assault at the restaurant Dec. 9. When she got home, she found the suspect’s composite drawing on the Coloradoan website (coloradoan. com), according to police.”

Read more…

Facial Approximation by Natalie Murray

EPHRATA – Grant County Major Crimes detectives are asking citizens to help identify a man whose skeletal remains were found near O’Sullivan Dam on Nov. 23.

The body had been exposed for perhaps a year, and ID was difficult. It is believed to have been of a white or Hispanic male around 35 years old. He stood between 5-1 an 6-1.

Based on a King County medical examiner’s office assessment of the skull, forensic artist Natalie Murray drew this sketch of what she believes a dead man found near O’Sullivan Dam looked like before his body decomposed.

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Rebel Morris

“Combining her knowledge of legal, administration and management, Rebel J Morris served for eighteen years as a certified paralegal. In her early years she worked her way up the chain for an Orange County Law Firm. During her service for the OC Law Firm she served as paralegal, civil litigation case manager and head of the commercial collection department. She maintained a solid closure rating, bringing both attorney & clients to amicable resolutions. After her twelve year tenure with the OC Law Firm she ventured out and founded Impartial Inc. where she served as CEO. While running Impartial she worked with both attorney and business clients. She would help the attorney organize his litigation through discovery with the goal toward amicable resolution. She would help the client organize their business operations for optimal performance.

In 2007 she started the cold case blog, Can You Identify Me? (CYIM).  Now retired from her paralegal career, she serves full time running Can You Identify Me? which continues to grow daily. She serves not only as a cold case blogger, and blog manager, but also a liaison between the Missing and Unidentified Community to law enforcement throughout the country.”

Your biography shows a strong background in the legal field. What motivated you to start CYIM?

Compassion.  Compassion motivated me to start CYIM. When I first learned about the travesty of America’s Unidentified it was in the early 2000’s and I was never able to shake these victims from my memory. So in 2007, I wanted to do something different than anyone else in an attempt to connect these victims to everyday society.  I guess that’s why I started writing first person narratives.  I wanted the victims to have one more chance to speak to the world.  I wanted the world to see these victims as actual human beings.  While they may no longer be among the living, they once were very much alive and still are very much someone’s loved one.  They deserve to be heard so they can find their identity and so their family can finally learn their fate.  CYIM attempts to give these victims back a voice that had been stolen from them.  Compassion: we all need more of it.

Is there any particular case that stands out in your memory, or one special case you’d like to see solved?

Oh wow, I don’t know if I can point out just one, I think that would be like cheating on the rest of them.  They are like family now. These victims stay with me and guide the path that CYIM takes each day.  They all deserve to be identified.

I will say that I find it harder for the lost men to find their day in the light.  So much attention is brought to children and women.  The men really are the unsung victims.

Facial Appproximation of California Jane Doe

Your site brings together the work of forensic artists by featuring facial approximations of the unidentified; is there anything that we forensic artists can do to assist your efforts?

Absolutely, the artists are the most important part of CYIM.  I believe and know that the family members have a tough enough time trying to find their loved ones.  When they have to view postmortem images of deceased individuals it’s intense, but I think worse yet is the inability to see an image when all they have is profile data to view.  This makes the journey the family member is on even more difficult.  None of us want it to be more difficult.  The forensic artist is the key to lessening the pain of the family member.  Your work helps them through the process.  We all know that a forensic reconstruction is only a likeness of the individual, but to the family it’s a blessing to have that likeness to view.

CYIM is here to help you and your department find the identities of these victims.  All of our services are 100% free to law enforcement.  Submit your forensic reconstruction and profile information and we will help you increase the awareness of your unidentified victims.  We are here to help you help them become identified.

Also, we are planning to launch a variety of educational programs in addition to our already successful awareness program.  So if you are interested in presenting, have new or interesting findings, or data, and want to be involved in this unique and dedicated effort to raise awareness forAmerica’s Unidentified, please contact us.  We want to hear from you.

What changes would you like to see that would help your efforts (legislation, possibly? A day of awareness?)

I think that the best way to help identify America’s Unidentified is for the barriers to come down.  We need to enlighten America.  Most importantly, we have to work as a unified team to make this happen.  All forums, organizations, nonprofit organizations, government-funded agencies, and government agencies need to work together and embrace the efforts of each other to truly make a difference.  I’ve met many wonderful people working together, but still there is that small fraction that just doesn’t want to play nicely together.  No one person is a voice for these victims.  The only voice they have is their forensic reconstruction and profile data. I say forget the politics, drop the pretenses and unite with one goal –- bring these victims home once and for all.

Where would you like CYIM to be in 5 years?

A fully staffed organization that reaches millions of Americans monthly, with dozens and dozens of identifications made, victims brought home and laid to rest with a tombstone that states their given name.

Can You Identify Me? James "Jamie" Doe

How many cases have you featured to date on your site? Do you know of any leads or identifications due to being featured?

Wow, okay, you’re making do the math.  I don’t have enough fingers and toes for this one so I had to pull out the big calculator.  Turns out we have posted over 1500 victims from 2007 up to November 30, 2011.   This number is all inclusive from our varying ways of featuring America’s Unidentified on our site.

We encourage that tips are sent directly to law enforcement.  However, we receive tips weekly.  If these tips are deemed useful they are sent to law enforcement.  It is important that our efforts are here to aid and not overwhelm law enforcement.  This is why we work with volunteers, advocates and sleuths to make sure they know how to properly submit tips.  The vast majority of tips come from those already rooted in the community and trying to assist in identifying the victims.  This is where trained individuals who  know policy and procedure can help make sure that the volunteers, advocates, and sleuths are working with a solid plan and proper format for notifying law enforcement.  This will allow law enforcement to work more effectively and not have to throw out what could have been useful information, simply because there is not enough data to follow up.  Then again, many of these people submit their tips to organizations like us because they receive more individualized communication, which law enforcement simply doesn’t have the time to provide when their current case load take precedence over the cold cases.

We work regularly with varying agencies across the country. Our tips are  processed with care.  We are proud that identifications are happening on our watch.  Can You Identify Me is happy to be part of a working system that helps identify these individuals.

It’s an unfortunate reality that not all unidentified persons will be claimed and brought home. How do you and your team stay motivated in light of this….what keeps you going?

That’s simple: the victims and their families.  These victims remind us daily why we are doing this, then coupled with the opportunity to work with so many family members seeking their loved ones daily, we can’t do anything but work harder to help them.  They keep us motivated.

Is there anything you would like to say to the families of the missing, or to the number of followers and volunteers trying to link the missing with the unidentified?

We should probably break this down.  To the volunteers trying to help especially those who are sleuths and advocates, I ask that you always be respectful and so as to not overwhelm law enforcement, make sure to check your facts, gather your data and present it in a clear and all-inclusive manner.   To the volunteers, followers and all who help spread the awareness – thank you because you make the difference.  With your continued help, these victims have a chance.  To the family members, none of us know your personal grief, but please know that we all care.  We pray that the path you walk on your daily journey of discovery will be paved with ease and answers.

Lastly…I love your name:Rebel.  Is there a story behind that? (I’m a bit jealous mine is simple ol’ Lisa!)

Aw, shucks. Yeah, the name gets attention, all right. There may be a story, but I’m gonna make you work to learn what it is. However, I will share that I’m known as Rebel with a Cause.

Before we close, I want to take a moment to say a special thanks to you, Lisa, and your site Ask A Forensic Artist, for inviting me to do this interview. It’s individuals like you and forums like Ask A Forensic Artist that allow for so many of us doing the same work to connect and unite in the cause. On behalf of my team at CYIM, we want you to know that we appreciate the opportunity to be featured here and are thankful for the work you do. It has been a pleasure and delight to work with you, Lisa.

SAN ANTONIO – A new development in the case of missing Baby Gabriel. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released a composite of what Gabriel Johnson would look like today. The photo was age-progressed to two years.

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Photo Credit: Matthew Sherwood/Globe and Mail

I hate to name drop  ;^D  but I love seeing forensic artists featured in the news, especially when I know them! Here’s an article about forensic artist Constable Rachel Zuidervliet, of the Ontario Provincial Police.

From the Globe and Mail: “In Constable Rachel Zuidervliet’s windowless office, casts of body parts lie on a cabinet above the desk, as does a rubber model of a face. There are anatomy charts on the walls, while a computer printout of Hans Holbein’s The Ambassadors decorates the door.

The 10-year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police, who works out of the force’s headquarters on the outskirts of Orillia, is one of only a half-dozen full-time forensic artists in the country. Among her duties is to help identify mysterious human remains by creating sketches and models that approximate how a dead person may have looked in life.”

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For the forensic artist that has everything, here are a few cool items I found. Bookmark these, and hint broadly to your friends :^)

How about a dancing skeleton sun-catcher from eyethinkinc?   I have one in my office :^)  Click the image to make him move!

Or, these and other forensic-inspired embroidered pillows from Lost City:

Perhaps a skull shot glass from ThinkGeek? I already bought two! (Hurry, they sell out quickly)

From Pushin’ Daisies, an egg timer, cocktail pics, or kitchen skull scrubby holder: If you have any great skull or forensic gifts or gadgets you’d like to share, please leave a comment! And (dare I say it?) Merry Christmas!!

Orange County Register: “Deputies have made an arrest in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred after two men tied up a 90-year-old woman inside her home, authorities said.

Investigators released a sketch of one of the men who participated in the armed robbery Wednesday, and Orange County Sheriff’s officials confirmed Thursday morning that an arrest had been made.

(The) victim provided investigators with details that gave them a good description of one of the suspects.

After the sketch was released Wednesday, an investigator in the sheriff’s department northern division recognized the suspect from a previous burglary case in Sunset Beach.”

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My San Antonio:  “It may be one of the most unusual thank-you notes ever written. Forensic artist Betsy James Cooper got it in 1997. She still has it.