Interactive evolutionary generation of facial composites for locating suspects in criminal investigations

Statistical appearance models have previously been used for computer face recognition applications in which an image patch is synthesized and morphed to match a target face image using an automated iterative fitting algorithm. Here we describe an alternative use for appearance models, namely for producing facial composite images (sometimes referred to as E-FIT or PhotoFIT images). This application poses an interesting real-world optimization problem because the target face exists in the mind of the witness and not in a tangible form such as a digital image. To solve this problem we employ an interactive evolutionary algorithm that allows the witness to evolve a likeness to the target face. A system based on our approach, called EFIT-V, is used frequently by three quarters of UK police constabularies.

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► We describe our holistic method for facial composite construction.
► Plausible faces were generated using an appearance model.
► Face parameters were optimised using an interactive evolutionary algorithm.
► A software application (EFIT-V) is used by policing and law enforcement agencies.