Let me first introduce myself. My name is Wesley Neville. I grew up in South Florida; and moved to Dillon, South Carolina in 1986. This is my 15th year in law enforcement, working my way through the ranks with several different departments. In 1998, I became a member of an innovative, progressive department – The Florence County Sheriff’s Office in Florence, South Carolina, where I supervise and maintain the  Forensic Art / Polygraph Unit. In 1994 I discovered an aspect of law enforcement that would quickly develop into not only a job, but also a passion. That passion is Forensic Art.

Little is known about the forensic art profession and what the forensic artist has to offer. Throughout history, forensic artists have been utilized for a wide variety of services. These services include composite drawing, three-dimensional facial reconstruction, two-dimensional facial reconstruction, hand drawn or computerized crime scene sketching, computerized and hand drawn age-progressions, image enhancement, wanted poster development, video enhancement, demonstrative evidence, custom photo line-up assemblage, and general art related duties.

The most common and well-known service the forensic artist provides is composite drawing. Composites are drawn for several reasons; first and foremost, to identify an otherwise unknown suspect of a crime. Composites can also be used to eliminate suspects. By eliminating suspects, time and money is saved pursuing alibis, interrogation, etc. When used in the proper manner, composites are a valuable investigative tool; they are media friendly, allow for public involvement, and can be sent out to agencies by utilizing the quality faxing / e-mail capabilities of the personal computer. By using this method of distribution, all departments, and news media, have the information in their hands to perhaps assist in a quick identification and apprehension of the suspect. Composites can be used for any crime involving an unidentified suspect, ranging from shoplifting, to homicide.

When skeletal remains are found, and the victim remains unidentified after traditional means of identification fail, investigators may call upon the forensic artist to utilize the three-dimensional facial reconstruction technique. The three-dimensional process is initiated by placing the skull on a workable stand, where the skull can easily be tilted and turned in all directions. The skull must be positioned in the Frankfort Horizontal position. . Tissue markers are glued directly onto the skull. The tissue markers size are determined by scientific data accumulated over the years and determined by race, gender, and age. Artificial eyes are placed in the skull’s eye sockets, centered and at the proper depth. Clay is systematically applied directly on the skull, following the skull's contours --  paying strict attention to the applied tissue markers. Various measurements are made, and logged, to determine nose thickness/length, mouth thickness/width, and eye placement. Information such as geographic location of where the deceased lived, his or her lifestyle, and the various information provided to the artist by the Forensic Anthropologist and other professionals, is heavily relied upon when completing the reconstruction. Hair is accomplished by means of a wig, or by applying clay to represent hair. Various items (props), such as glasses, clothing, hats, etc. may be applied to better accentuate the features of the individual. Upon completion, the sculpture is photographed. All procedures are documented and working notes collected. When executed properly, this technique is proven to have a high success rate.

As with the three-dimensional technique, the two-dimensional reconstruction may be used when unidentified skeletal remains are found. The two-dimensional reconstruction process is initiated by utilizing the same data as used for the Three-dimensional clay reconstruction. The process begins by gluing on the proper tissue markers in the proper pre-determined locations. The skull is then placed on a stand in the Frankfort Horizontal position. The skull is photographed; profile and frontal views, at a 1:1 scale, with a ruler positioned aside of the skull. The photos are then enlarged to life size 1 to 1 dimension. The frontal and profile photos are then taped, in the Frankfort Horizontal position, directly aside one another on two separate flat  boards. Upon completion of the above process, transparent natural vellum sheets are taped directly over the printed photographs. Sketching begins, where the artist follows the contours of the skull, along with using the tissue markers as guidelines. Measurements for the mouth, nose, and eyes, is the same for the Two-dimensional process as it is with the Three-dimensional process. Hair type and style is determined by samples found on the scene by investigators, or by educated estimation determined by victim’s race, gender, and/or ethnic background. Information provided by the Forensic Anthropologist and other professionals is also utilized. All procedures are documented and working notes collected. This method has also been tried and proved over the years. Benefits of this method over the clay reconstruction are cost and completion time.

Another method of Two-dimensional identification is that of reconstructing a face from a decomposing body. Utilizing the artist’s knowledge of the face, how the soft tissue lies on the skull, and a general knowledge of how the human body reacts to decomposition, the artist can make educated estimations on how an individual may have appeared prior to death. All methods of facial reconstruction allow the investigators, and the media, the opportunity to put a face with the victim, and a possibility of a speedy identification – saving man-hours, and allowing the victim’s family to put the element of the "unknown" to rest.

Crime-scene sketches Crime-scene sketches can either be computer generated or hand drawn. A Forensic Artist possesses the talent, knowledge, and necessary tools to complete a polished, court ready crime-scene sketch. Software such as AutoCAD and Corel Draw are ideal for computer generated crime scenes. This allows the investigator to bring to court a professional presentation, thus, resulting in a higher conviction rate. can either be computer generated or hand drawn. A Forensic Artist possesses the talent, knowledge, and necessary tools to complete a polished, court ready crime-scene sketch. Software such as AutoCAD and Corel Draw are ideal for computer generated crime scenes. This allows the investigator to bring to court a professional presentation, thus, resulting in a higher conviction rate. can either be computer generated or hand drawn. A Forensic Artist possesses the talent, knowledge, and necessary tools to complete a polished, court ready crime-scene sketch. Software such as AutoCAD and Corel Draw are ideal for computer generated crime scenes. This allows the investigator to bring to court a professional presentation, thus, resulting in a higher conviction rate.