Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Art

Of course, lots of questions come up about forensic art. I’m starting off with the ones that inspired me to start this site. From here, go to More Questions and Answers About Forensic Art. If you have a question that you haven’t seen answered, just ask me! I’ll answer in a blog post as soon as I can.

What is “Forensic Art?”

The boilerplate definition is “any art that can be used in a law enforcement investigation and/or court of law.” Which says everything and nothing. To better understand what forensic art is, it helps to know what forensic artists do, which is (click on each for more information):

• Composite Imagery
• Age Progressions
• Facial Approximations from the Skull
• Post-Mortem Imagery
• Demonstrative Evidence (such as trial charts used in the courtroom)

How can I become a forensic artist?

Understand that the work is in law enforcement. Exceptions to this are so rare, you can waste a lot of time and money attempting to do it any other way. The vast majority of forensic artists do composite drawings as an aside to their full-time job in law enforcement. Whenever a full-time job does open up, there is a virtual stampede of applicants for it…and most will already be in law enforcement with years of forensic art experience under their belt. You, as an outsider, will be at a severe disadvantage.

If you are employed by an agency or laboratory, first research your area to see if there is a need for composite sketches, (little crime = little need), work to improve your drawing skills, and then go talk to your boss. If he/she agrees that they will utilize you for composite sketches after training, then you have overcome your first hurdle. From then on, it’s up you to go out, get sketches, and show the value of the work to others in your agency. This is all done as part of your salaried job.

If you are interested in facial reconstruction, again, you will very likely need to be affiliated with a law enforcement agency. Skulls are considered evidence, and no agency is going to entrust such a vital, irreplaceable item with someone that has no concept of chain of evidence. You are also going to need training in anatomy and anthropology, and should have serious drawing and sculpting skills. Please remember, a facial reconstruction is very likely that person’s last hope to be identified. This is a serious subject, and is not a job for the hobbyist or someone that just thinks it would be “cool” to do.

But I’m not in Law Enforcement and have no intention of joining. Could I freelance?

Well, you can try. But you probably won’t get very far; at least if you’re expecting to make a full-time career out of it, pay your mortgage, etc. Agencies are notoriously strapped for cash, and their budgets are usually fixed for each fiscal year. If they haven’t budgeted in for composite sketches, then they simply won’t be able to afford you.

Even offering to to them for free won’t get you far. Law enforcement is a very closed, tight-knit group. It has to be because of the very nature of the work they do, and the dangers they face every day. You can’t just call up and say “I can draw, I want to do composites.” They don’t know you, they have no reason to trust you. You’ll earn their trust by becoming a part of law enforcement yourself.

The only successful freelance/contract artists I know of are:  composite artists that are former/retired law enforcement (they have the experience, and they’ve earned the trust within the agencies); have ties to law enforcement (private investigators) or artists with a strong anthropology and academic background that focus primarily on facial reconstruction.

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What skills and traits are needed to be a forensic artist?

The most obvious is drawing and artistic skill. Don’t believe anyone that tells you otherwise, because they are probably trying to sell you something. The whole concept of “anyone can be a forensic artist” is ridiculous. To be a forensic artist, you must first be an artist.

To work doing composites, you then adapt that artistic skill through qualified training to learn how to do draw a composite by working through a witness. You must draw what they want, and be flexible and confident in your skills to change that drawing at any moment.  An often overlooked trait in composite drawing is interviewing skills. Building rapport with the victim, having empathy, listening to them, and putting that image that’s in their head on paper. You can be the best  artist in the world, but if you don’t listen to your victim, and draw what they tell you, then you’re next to worthless as a composite artist.

To work doing facial reconstructions and post-mortem images, you need solid artistic skills as well as more advanced training in anatomy, anthropology, and the facial reconstruction process. There are a number of instructors that teach this, but the ones I recommend are on my training page.

What training is available in Forensic Art?

If you are in Law Enforcement, then you can apply to the FBI’s three-week training class at the FBI Academy. It is offered at no charge to qualifying individuals after an application and portfolio review process. There are several other fine classes available, open to all, whether or not you are in law enforcement. Please check out my Training Page. Just keep in mind, none of these classes will guarantee you work as a forensic artist.

Do I need a Bachelor’s degree to do forensic art?

Generally not. Since most artists do the work within their agency as an aside to their full-time position, a degree normally doesn’t enter the equation.  The only time I have heard of a Bachelor’s degree being an absolute requirement is for some full-time forensic art positions. These are usually going to be in state or federal agencies.

Do I need to be certified to work as a forensic artist?

No, not unless your agency requires it, and specifies where you earned it. The Forensic Art Certification earned through the IAI (International Association for Identification) is usually the one the agencies are referring to, because it’s the only one that is accredited, earned through proven work in field. Some forensic art instructors offer their own certification, but personally I don’t see much worth in them..other than being a big money-maker for the instructors. Unlike the IAI certification, all the work is done in the classroom, not the real world that forensic artists deal with. Plus, it’s very expensive (as in, several thousands of dollars in classes).

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