How NYPD forensic artists draws a "bad guy sketch"

Composite drawings, or “bad guy sketches,” are a long-standing form of crime-solving. Former NYPD forensic artist Stephen Mancusi met with Business Insider at his studio to explain how the process works. The drawings are produced through an interview process with a witness or a victim as the artist translates the given information to create a likeness. Mancusi says that the interview is the most difficult part of the process. “As the artist I have no idea what the guy looks like. I have to work from that vague, kind of fluid memory of a witness or a victim.” “You want to keep in mind that a composite sketch is not an exact representation or a portrait of a suspect. What it is is a drawing of a witness or victim’s perception of somebody.” -------------------------------------------------- Follow BI Video on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1oS68Zs Follow BI on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1W9Lk0n Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/ -------------------------------------------------- Business Insider is the fastest growing business news site in the US. Our mission: to tell you all you need to know about the big world around you. The BI Video team focuses on technology, strategy and science with an emphasis on unique storytelling and data that appeals to the next generation of leaders – the digital generation.