PNP chief orders quick adoption of computerized criminal sketching

To further its chances of solving crimes, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has upgraded its means for identifying suspects with the new Computerized Composite Illustration System (CCIS) —and is rolling out the new system as quickly as possible.

 

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome directed all regional and national support unit heads to adopt the system introduced by the Australian Federal Police.

 

“The Computerized Criminal Illustration System helps the organization to prevent and respond to street or even transnational crimes. It will boost the capacity of the PNP to identify crime malefactors and help to account wanted persons that threaten our communities or even the national security,” Bartolome said.

 

Introduced by the Australian Federal Police, CCIS can provide precise facial profiling of a suspect.

 

Such a system, which stores over 700 facial images, can produce more realistic photos than the old hand drawn or cartographic sketch system.

 

"These images can then be combined into countless real-life photos," the PNP said.

 

On the other hand, more than 100 PNP officers are highly trained to operate the equipment and to standardize the PNP's upgraded investigative procedures and processes.

 

For now, the PNP Crime Laboratory is using the equipment to identify criminals at large.

 

Facial composite illustrations

 

The PNP said facial composite illustrations contain not only basic descriptions of the suspects but also information for cross referencing with other suspects engaged in crimes of different nature and modus operandi.

 

Such information may include criminal case number, offense or incident, name or alias of the suspect, sex, age, height, weight, build, complexion, and description.

 

Other information such as the name of the describing party, requesting party, investigator-on-case and interviewer are also included.

 

"The necessary data is useful for critical evaluation which could lead to possible identification of the suspects specifically on cases handled by Task Force USIG or in terrorism related incidents," the PNP said. — TJD, GMA News