Association of Law Enforcement Forensic Artists

Description and Goals

January 5, 2015
The Association of Law Enforcement Forensic Artists (hereafter ALEFA or Association)
will be established for the purpose of providing a consistent standard of excellence in the
service of law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and other countries.
The collective voice of forensic artists employed by law enforcement agencies will
encourage and maintain the integrity and quality of criminal investigative forensic art
methods, investigative composite sketch interviewing techniques, forensic facial imaging,
demonstrative evidence, peer reviews, generated research and the development of new
programs designed to meet the critical needs of law enforcement agencies throughout the
United States and internationally. First and foremost, the intent is to protect the integrity
of the Forensic Art discipline and the Judicial System.
The ALEFA will start small with select forensic artists, employed by a law enforcement
agency, establishing the association goals, code of ethics and by-laws. The forensic art
discipline across the United States and other countries currently consists of
approximately 200 forensic artists (full-time, part-time and contract). Due to the
relatively small size of the forensic art discipline, the ALEFA will solicit membership
across the United States to include forensic artists working in the larger law enforcement
agencies. The geographical area included is critical to open communication and promote
the advancement of the forensic art discipline. While the geographical area is large the
groups intention is to maintain the integrity of the discipline and standards by only
allowing law enforcement forensic artists membership into the association.
Today, there is not a forensic art group or association that is tailored to the law
enforcement community. The ALEFA will bring together the top forensic artists from
larger law enforcement agencies to develop best practices, standard operating procedures,
case reviews and training by establishing open communication and information sharing.
The development of a website with password protection will allow privacy of discussions
and protection of sensitive material. The ALEFA website will be the primary source of
information, meeting plans, agendas and forensic art related information.
Bi-annual meetings are proposed for the future. Meetings of the ALEFA will be
scheduled and organized by the association. These annual meetings will include guest
speakers, lectures, training, case reviews and group business meetings. The first ALEFA
conference is proposed to be a three (3) day meeting located in Charleston or Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina.

For future purposes, operating costs for the ALEFA will be covered with a minimal
membership fee. A registration/attendance fee will cover the cost of the bi-annual
meetings.
The attending members will elect officers of the association during the first annual
meeting. Elected officers will be responsible for, but not limited to, the logistics of the
bi-annual meeting, the business and financial operations of the association.
It is proposed that membership may include certain forensic artists not employed by a law
enforcement agency but that exhibit exemplar work in the field. It is also proposed that
membership may include experts in related fields (psychology, anthropology) who can
provide their expert knowledge and thus enhance the discipline. Forensic art is a
multifaceted discipline involving a collaborative effort of many specialists in their
respective fields. Including these individuals will foster closer working relationships and
open communication.
ALEFA will be responsible for promoting legitimate Forensic Art techniques and at the
same time discouraging practitioners from engaging in work that exceeds the limitations
of his/her area of expertise. By developing guidelines, best practices and training for
forensic artists the ALEFA will promote growth of the discipline while protecting the
integrity of forensic art and the judicial system.

DRG