Information Technologies in Forensic Examination: Modern Methods of Creating a Facial Composite

Contrary to the existing international and domestic experience in the field of criminology and in identifying a person by the signs of a person’s appearance, an urgent problem in the detection and investigation of crimes remains the identification of criminals, as well as other persons involved in illegal actions. In 2015, Russia adopted a new state security plan, which includes: improving scientific and technical support to law enforcement agencies, systematic development of law enforcement agencies and other services, obtaining special equipment and funds. One of such technical means just includes programs for creating a facial composite aimed at creating and highlighting the characteristic features of a person associated with illegal actions. This software allows not only to create portraits of suspects in the commission of crimes, missing people, but also to predict external changes in the appearance of the suspect. In this article, the most common and effective software options for the creation of composite portraits used in law enforcement agencies of Russia and abroad are presented. Such programs make an important contribution to the activities of law enforcement agencies.