Policy Text
Identification Bur eau Page 1 of 2 5 /05.0 (REV 1/07)
Composite Likenesses
The purpose of this Order is to o utline when and how victims or witnesses are to be
interviewed for constructi ng composite likenesses.
I. General
Composite likenesses are made of crime suspects with the assist ance of the
witnesses through use of a composi te artist or F.A.C.E.S. Progr am.
II. Procedures
A. Appointments will be made in adv ance for all composite inter views.
1. Identification Bu reau personnel will ma ke the appointment
conducive to the artist’s schedule.
2. Identification Bur eau personnel will obtain the name and tel ephone
number of the victim/witness, cri me title, and report number an d
detective assigned to the case.
3. Identification Bur eau personnel will notif y the detective of the
appointment date and time.
4. Identification Bur eau personnel will notif y the artist of th e
appointment.
B. Upon arrival of the witness, t he artist will interview the w itness and obtain
vital information describing the individual of the composite. The artist will
develop the likeness either by freehand sketch or by using the F.A.C.E.S.
Program, with assistance from th e witness in selection of the f acial
features that are similar to the suspect.
C. After the composite is compl ete and the witness is satisfied with the
results, the artist will thank the witness for participating an d assisting in the
investigation.
1. If the detective needs to speak with the witness, the witnes s will be
directed to the detective, and e scorted if possible by the arti st.
Identification Bur eau Page 2 of 2 5 /05.0 (REV 1/07) 2. If the detective does not need to speak with the witness, th e
witness will be directed to the front lobby, and escorted if po ssible
by the artist.
D. All appointments should be refe rred by a detective. On rare occasions
where a witness is referred to t he Identification Bureau by a p atrol officer,
Identification Bur eau Supervisor approval is required.
E. A report shall be submitted al ong with a copy of the composi te.
F. The artist will be responsib le for making the necessary arra ngements with
the detective to pick up a copy of the composite likeness.
1. If the detective is unable to obtain the likeness immediatel y, the
artist will Email the likeness to the detective for immediate
assistance in the investigation.
2. The artist will set up a ti me and date with the detective to pick up
the copy of the likeness.
3. The artist will book the original composite likeness as evid ence
following the guidelines of Operations Order 3/02.0.