How to Become a Forensic Artist

We all have seen the gripping episode of "America's Most Wanted" or "Law and Order" where the Forensic Artist creates such a life-like sketch that the bad guy is caught immediately. Forensic art can be a satisfying and exciting career. These few steps will help you become a forensic artist and catch the bad guys.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Locate the hiring officials at the institution you wish to work at and find out what qualifications are needed to become a forensic artist at their organization. Determine if more schooling is necessary for your position, sometimes a high school diploma is the minimum other agencies require higher education.

2. Practice drawing realistic and accurate drawings from your imagination of the people you know. Learn to draw portraits that are anatomically correct and accurately proportioned.

3. Check for any specific courses on forensic art in your area at a community college, university or law enforcement agency. Inquire whether a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice is necessary to become part of a forensic art team.

4. Take the necessary courses to get hired at the organization you wish to work as a forensic artist. Prepare for background checks and a series of formal training from the organization. You will most likely be extensively tested and educated on that agencies' procedure of forensic art rendering.

5. Become certified in forensic art through the Forensic Artists Certification Board, and visit the website for details on certification. Try to become certified before looking for a position. You will no doubt need to be certified before being fully accepted to your forensic art job.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice drawing from memory and description as much as possible. This valuable skill will aid you as a forensic artist and will form the bulk of your work in the field.

• Ask your friends and family to help you by describing someone they know that you have never met. Try to draw them from their description alone; this exercise will help you perfect your skills in realistic imaginative rendering.

• Try to get training in formal art and criminal justice. This schooling will aid you immensely when looking for a position as a forensic artist.

Resources

• Learn more about certification for forensic artists.
• Find more information on forensic art.
• Visit forensic artist Lois Gibson's website.