Age Progression Drawings

  Age progression drawings are used to guess how a person would appear today after they have been missing for a period of time, which would ultimately have altered their appearance.  Children missing for a year or more would have a more drastic change in appearance than an adult.  A child’s facial features, and bone structure, change relatively quick from birth to a young adult (18-20).  Forensic artists use age progression drawings to make educated guesses how a missing child may appear today so they may be recognized.  The drawings of the missing children also bring renewed media attention, and hopefully renewed interest, to the case. 

  The forensic artist also has to do age progression drawings of adults.  These drawings are attempting to guess how fleeing felons may look after many years of being on the run. In the example below the suspect had committed a robbery at 21 years of age and then fled before he could be sentenced.  The drawing is an age progression estimating the suspect's appearance at 35 years old.