Face composite construction: In-view and from-memory quality and improvement with practice

Abstract

Following a crime, witnesses are often asked by the police to construct a composite likeness of the perpetrator. However, previous research indicates that the quality of the likenesses produced by commercial composite systems (e.g., Photofit and Identi-kit) are very poor. This study investigated whether the face composites produced using the Mac-A-Mug Pro composite system from memory and while viewing the target differ in quality, and whether quality improves with practice. Subjects used the system over two sessions during which they constructed 11 composites (six from memory and five with the face in view). Composites produced while viewing the target face were better than the composites produced from memory, and both improved with practice. Independent judges matched all but the initial composites from memory at levels better than chance. Implications for future face recall research and the training of potential witnesses are discussed.