Foreword

Citation

Frowd, C.D. (2015), "Foreword", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 17 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-06-2015-0037

Foreword

Article Type: Foreword From: Journal of Forensic Practice, Volume 17, Issue 4.

Charlie D. Frowd

When I started my PhD in Stirling some 15 years ago, a substantial amount of high-quality research had already been conducted into facial composites, in particular for the mechanical Photofit and Identikit systems used by forensic practitioners in the UK, USA and elsewhere. The research revealed serious limitations in the process used to construct faces and prompted development of modern feature systems such as E-FIT, PRO-fit and FACES. Curiously, in spite of the obvious importance of effective tools for forensic practice, assessment of these newer implementations was not forthcoming, and research on composites seemed to have largely ground to a halt. This situation has since changed markedly: newer holistic systems such as EvoFIT and EFIT-V have arrived on the scene, and research in the field has flourished, contributing to a much greater understanding of how best to construct and recognise facial images. There is now a “gold standard” to specify how composite systems should be evaluated properly in the laboratory, new components to the cognitive interview designed to promote identifiable images, post-production techniques to assist observers recognise a finished composite, and formal police field trials to corroborate laboratory research. It is a great pleasure to be able to report that research in the field has no longer stalled; if anything, it is gaining momentum as part of a thriving applied community. Research is diverse and interesting, is driving considerable change to the composite system as well as procedures used to construct and recognise a face, and has enabled me to compile what I hope will be the first of many special issues.