NCJ Number
147113
Journal
Law Enforcement Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1994) Pages: 46-49
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has developed two techniques to work with law enforcement, both of which involve pictures: Age Progression and Project Kidcare.
Abstract
Age progression specialists create a photograph that approximates how a child will look several years after the date of the original abduction. A good photograph of the child is altered using computer software and an artist's own knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Some artists combine the photograph of the child with that of a sibling or parent at the target age in order to accurately portray familial features. If the age progression picture is close to what the child actually looks like, the chances of recovering him or her are greatly increased. Of 200 cases the NCMEC age progression artists have handled, they have helped recover 28 living children and have helped parents to identify the bodies of other children. Project Kidcare is organized through the NCMEC to allow a group to sponsor a community event in which parents are encouraged to take current, clear Polaroid pictures of their children, to be used in the case of a future abduction.