FACES Software: Real-Time Facial Composites for Modern Crime Investigations

FACES Software was built to address one of the most persistent challenges in crime investigations— delay. When witness memories are fresh and actionable leads matter most, traditional sketching processes often slow momentum. Designed for using directly at the scene of a crime, the platform enables victims and eyewitnesses to participate immediately by generating facial composites of suspects in real time, helping investigators act while critical details are still clear.

Traditionally, creating a suspect sketch required access to a trained artist and a return to the police station, introducing time, cost and logistical barriers. FACES removes that dependency. By placing composite creation into the hands of first responders, the platform allows investigations to move forward without waiting, turning descriptions into usable visual references at the moment they are needed most.

Its user-friendly interface simplifies the task of translating human memory into a visual reference. On one side of the screen is a sketching canvas, while the other houses a database of more than 4,500 hand-drawn facial features, including eyes, noses, ears, hairlines and expressions. Users build composites by selecting and adjusting features.

“Creating a facial composite on FACES is as easy as building an avatar,” says Greg J. Micek, Sr, owner.

Each composite generated through FACES carries its own binary code, resulting in a composite that can be shared digitally across jurisdictions. This structure allows detectives to circulate images quickly, supporting collaboration in time-sensitive investigations where clarity and speed are critical.

The platform also has a profound psychological impact. By enabling meaningful participation, FACES gives victims a sense of agency at a moment when control is often lost. That sense of empowerment resonates deeply with Micek, Sr, who, along with his wife, was the victim of a robbery. Using a facial composite, they helped police identify and apprehend the perpetrator, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Today, detectives and first responders around the world rely on FACES to interview victims and witnesses at crime scenes, translating descriptions into usable leads. Educational institutions also use the software in classrooms as a learning tool and as part of broader safety and awareness initiatives.

To serve these varied needs, FACES is offered in multiple versions for law enforcement, investigative professionals and educators.

The software’s real-world impact is reflected in high-profile cases. In a Miami-Dade County sexual assault investigation, a victim used FACES to create a composite of her attacker, providing detectives with a critical lead that ultimately contributed to the suspect’s arrest. The case was later featured on the popular true crime television show, America’s Most Wanted.

FACES has also been used to support complex, large-scale investigations. During the Boston Marathon bombing response, law enforcement circulated partial facial images of the suspects. FACES generated complete composites from the available information, which were leveraged by the Boston Police Department.

A key reason for FACES’ adoption is how it’s built. Unlike facial recognition technologies that attempt to identify individuals through biometric matching, FACES produces a likeness that resembles a suspect. This distinction is why agencies such as Scotland Yard are in the process of implementing the software across the U.K.

FACES is also pursuing partnerships with major public safety organizations to support widespread adoption while remaining adaptable to local agency needs. Combined with international expansion efforts, this strategy positions the platform for global reach.

Recognized as the Top Criminal Facial Composite Software, FACES reflects a commitment to practical innovation in public safety. By placing investigative capability directly in the hands of those closest to the event, the platform shortens response times, strengthens collaboration and empowers communities to play an active role in solving crimes.