Chapter 3 - Pulling Faces From Witness Memory

Abstract

This chapter highlights the methods of pulling faces from a witness's memory. The mood of the witness is the paramount priority during the interview. Every effort should be made to help the witness feel as happy, relaxed, and comfortable as possible. The witness's comfort takes precedence over the artist's or any other individual's comfort during the act of drawing the suspect's face from the witness's memory. The mood of the artist is also important, and it can be controlled and nurtured from within by understanding that even the most imperfect work can be a factor in solving the case. If the beginning artist knows how many varied ways a sketch can help the investigator identify the criminal, it will give him or her a confident attitude. A list is provided to help instill in the artist a positive attitude that will produce the best efforts. This positive attitude is essential since the artist cannot instill confidence in a witness if he doesn't first feel confident himself. Some scenarios where forensic sketches helped identify the perpetrator are illustrated in this chapter. Finally, the question “How long after the crime should the sketch be done?” is addressed.