What is a forensic artist exactly? Aren't computers doing all the composites any more? Who can become a composite artist? What classes do I need to become a composite artist? What other classes do I need to become a composite artist? Wow, that's a lot of classes and training. Do I need all of them and do I take them in order and what is the difference between the classes? How often do you offer classes? I'm already a composite artist working in the field. Do I still need the basic class? I'm an artist. What class do I need? What opportunities are in this field for a Police Officer? What opportunities are in this field for an artist? What about certification as a composite artist? I have to pay for this myself. Help! What are the benefits of attending your program over one of the others? How do we hear of your classes? Can I learn to be a composite artist on the internet? Is that really your natural hair color? What is a forensic artist exactly? No, it's not dead people. The term "forensic" comes from the Roman forum, or marketplace, where issues of law and philosophy were discussed and debated. Now we use it to describe a debate team or something pertaining to law enforcement or legal proceedings. The most common type of forensic art is the composite sketch. This is a drawing made with the victims and witnesses of crimes to aid in the identification of unknown suspects. Other forms of forensic art are courtroom drawings, aging of missing children, facial reconstruction and crime scene reconstruction. Return to Top Aren't computers doing all the composites any more? The computer software companies would like you to think so. The problem is that they don't work well. One VERY aggressive software company claims one successful ID. They have sold to over 700 departments. That is an identification rate of .001%. Freehand composite artists have a success rate of 30-80%. Have you noticed that every national case where there is a composite, it is always hand drawn? Return to Top Who can become a composite artist? Just about anyone can learn how to do forensic art. Our composite and forensic courses have had a variety of students with a wide variety of backgrounds. There is no "ideal" background or student. We have had patrol officers, detectives, records clerks, dispatch, reserves, chiefs of police, and artists. We have had law enforcement students with drawing ability of the highest caliber, students with gallery shows, students who have illustrated books, students who are already working composite artists, and students who couldn't draw blood with a knife. If we were to recommend a particular background, we would suggest a strong desire to learn and succeed. Students with existing drawing skills and talent do not have to practice as much and may find the course easier-however-we have had very successful composite artists who learned their drawing skills in class. If you are an artist seeking to add to your art experience, this composite training can provide you with interesting and worthwhile skills. Your success at becoming a composite artist is only limited to your desire to work in this field. We have found that the finest composite artists possess certain characteristics: An open mind with a sincere desire to learn A willing heart to help others A practical understanding of the use of composites in criminal cases A genuine desire to improve A sense of humor If, on the other hand, you consider yourself to be God's gift to law enforcement, the single most important factor in solving a case, with skills and abilities of enormous proportion, PLEASE take two humble pills, a cold shower, and get a life. Return to Top What classes do I need to become a composite artist? You could become a composite artist by just declaring yourself to be one, but you would lack any credentials should you wind up in court on a case you worked. You do not need a four-year college degree. You do need to attend special forensic art training. There are several good classes across the country; however, we would not be honest if we did not say that we think ours is the finest training available. We recommend you take our basic "Composite Drawing for Law Enforcement" class. It helps (though not essential) to have the following background: At least a high school education A strong connection to law enforcement (or willing to build a strong connection) Fair drawing ability and a desire to get better A real desire to work in this field A sense of humor A tolerance to Rick's jokes and endless discussions of sports, music (bluegrass), and Bull Terrier dogs. The following would be considered definite blocks to becoming a forensic artist: If you have the personality of an overcooked zucchini. If you have an inability to understand the words "confidential information" If you believe law enforcement is really like "Dirty Harry", "Lethal Force" or "The X Files" If you lack a wit of common sense If you hate to erase If you think your intuition is more important than what the witness is telling you If you're just plain weird If you relate to the above-mentioned statements, please attend one of the other training courses. Return to Top What other classes do I need to become a composite artist? Once you have finished the Basic class, we recommend the "Composite Drawing Workshop I" as a follow up within the first year. You are then ready to become certified. We certify our students through a week-long training and testing class. You may also continue to take classes such as "Composite Drawing Workshop II". "Composite Drawing Workshop III" is a refresher to be taken if you have not attended a class for a few years. "Advanced Forensic Art" and some of the other classes can be taken at any time after the first class. Return to Top Wow, that's a lot of classes and training. Do I need all of them and do I take them in order and what is the difference between the classes? No, you do not need to take any other class other than our Basic if you do not want to. The classes are arranged in order of how likely you will have those types of cases. Basic is basic. "Composite Drawing Workshop I" is the most important follow up materials. "Composite Drawing Workshop II" is full of original materials not taught anywhere else in the U.S. "Composite Drawing Workshop III" is a concentrated refresher of Basic and Workshop I. Advanced Forensic Art is like facial reconstruction and aging of missing children--most students take this course because they are interested in these topics. Return to Top How often do you offer classes? All of our classes are by invitation from a sponsoring agency. We have held as many as 22 classes in one year and as few as six. They are held year around. If your agency in interested in hosting a class, we have a packet for you. See hosting. Many people inquire about attending a class when it comes to their area. A few thoughts on this. We are not a traveling show that comes to a city near you on a rotation basis like, say, a Fred Pryor Seminar. We are invited by an agency because they want to train their own people. We may not be back. If we return, it might be five years later. If you are serious about entering this field, you may have to travel. You are going to have to invest your time and money. Compared to a college education, this is very inexpensive and quick. I don't think there is anything that makes us crazy like a phone call that says, "I want to do this, it's the most important thing I've ever done, I've always wanted to become a forensic artist, I watch CSI and all the forensic shows on TV, I'm so excited that your class will be within driving distance of me.........ohhhh....I can't come to that class after all, I have a dentist appointment..." Return to Top I'm already a composite artist working in the field. Do I still need the basic class? Our basic class is the foundation for all our other classes. You could start with one of the workshops as long as we know you are coming to class, have viewed the video and can spend some time on some of our techniques during "recess". Return to Top I'm an artist. What class do I need? Again, our basic class is the foundation for all our other classes. We do have a "Composite Drawing for Artists" class but we don't offer it as often. Return to Top What opportunities are in this field for a Police Officer? That depends on how many people above you that you manage to irritate. (!) 98% of our students are in law enforcement and draw between 6-40 sketches a year. It is done as part of their regular job. There are a handful of full time forensic artists in the country. Return to Top What opportunities are in this field for an artist? You should consider this another skill you can offer as an artist rather than a full time career. There are less than ten full time composite artists who are freelance. If you are determined enough, however, nothing is holding you back. Return to Top What about certification as a composite artist? The International Association for Identification has a certification program. As of June, 2003, you must test out, have three successful identifications, have attended a class that is approved (like our Basic Class), be a composite artist for at least a year, be a member, and so forth. We now have a certification class/testing where you attend the class and test out during the week. This certifies that you have reached a level of knowledge, training, and drawing expertise. Return to Top I have to pay for this myself. Help! We have a number of ways for you to pay for the class including credit cards, easy payment plan, and so forth. We do not accept children in trade. We will work out a budget that you can live with. Return to Top What are the benefits of attending your program over one of the others? We teach more classes to more students than every other composite school combined. We have been approved in 9 states P.O.S.T. (Police Officers Standards and Training) I.A.I. (International Association for Identification) approved, and to date have won five national awards for training excellence. The FBI and Secret Service have had us train their artists. We allow you to sit into any class at any time after you have attended it should you need a one or two day refresher. ANd we are a lot of fun! Return to Top How do we hear of your classes? I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is that we do not advertise our classes at this time. The good news is that if you have contacted us, you can be on our mailing list. Return to Top Can I learn to be a composite artist on the internet? Because composite art involves handling evidence and working with victims and witnesses of crimes, the training is critical. There are probably courses on the internet and people willing to take your money and tell you "go forth and draw well"... but we think it's a waste of time, money, and gets you exactly nowhere. Return to Top Is that really your natural hair color? OK, enough questions. Return to Top
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