March 22, 2005

East Lansing: The Michigan State Police (MSP) has added age progression drawings of Michigan's most wanted fugitives to its website in an effort to increase the likelihood that someone might recognize one of the state's most wanted criminals.

"An age progression drawing is a rendering of how a subject might look today based on old photographs and family genes," stated D/Sgt. Mark Krebs, located at the Bad Axe Post and a member of the Forensic Artist Program. "Considering some of the available photos of these fugitives are over 20 years old, a significant change in physical appearance may have occurred making it difficult to make a positive identification."

MSP forensic artists created the age progression drawings using old photographs and photos of family members covering a longer period of time.Family photographs allow the forensic artist to see how family genes may affect the fugitive as they age.When family photographs are not available, an artist uses his/her knowledge of facial muscles and anatomy to predict how the fugitive might have aged over time.

MSP forensic artists are trained in age progression drawings, composite sketches, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional skull reconstruction and post-mortem drawings. The department has eight artists located throughout the state at the Bad Axe, Bridgman, Detroit, Lansing, Metro South and Richmond posts, as well as at the Grayling and Lansing laboratories. The MSP Forensic Artist Program is one of the nation's only state-level teams with a network of artists available on a 24-hour basis to assist state, county or local police agencies at no cost to them.

To view the age progression sketches, visit http://www.michigan.gov/have_you_seen_me. To report information regarding a fugitive, please call 1-800- 500-3151. Callers can remain anonymous.

Detective Sergeant Mark Krebs, Bad Axe Post, (989) 269-6441

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.