Forensic Artist

What does a Forensic Artist do?

• Sketching
• Facial reconstruction
• Age progression portraits
• Courtroom testimony

Skills that Forensic Artist need

• Degree in Art isn't necessary but helpful
• Interview techniques
• Artistic talent
• Drawing
• Facial Sculpting

Most people who become forensic artist are in law enforcement and can attend training for composite sketch, drawing, facial reconstruction and Photoshop.

Michael Streed

Michael Streed is a full-time forensic artist who averages 3-6 sketches per week.

Where do Forensic Artist work?

The fact is, 99.9% of forensic artists are law enforcement employees, and most of them do this work as a collateral duty, in addition to their full-time job in the agency.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes forensic artists under "Sketch Artists" within the craft and fine artists industry. Craft and fine artists earned $54,000 per year, according to the BLS. But in 2013, the job website Indeed reported average salaries of $44,000 per year specifically for forensic artists.

Trying to pin down a forensic artist’s salary is extremely difficult for a number of reasons. First, most forensic artists do the work as a collateral duty to their full-time job in law enforcement. Full-time jobs are almost nonexistent, practically speaking. So, you could have a patrol officer that makes $35,000 and does 30 composite sketches a year, or a detective that makes $70,000 and sketches 5 composites.

Professional Organizations

• International Association for Identification - www.theiai.org
• http://www.forensictrak.com/
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences - http://www.aafs.org/
• http://sketchcop.com/
• http://www.itsgov.com/