February 25, 2003

East Lansing - Boasting the only father/daughter team of forensic artists in the state, the Michigan State Police maintain a small, elite team of individuals with a special gift – the ability to literally put a face on criminals for police and the public.

The eight members of the Michigan State Police Forensic Artist Program (FAP), which includes the father/daughter team of Detective Sergeant Mark H. Krebs and Trooper Sarah (Krebs) Foster, are trained in all aspects of forensic art including composite sketches, age progression drawings, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional skull reconstruction and post-mortem drawings. The drawings they create help both law enforcement and the public in identifying unknown victims and criminals who might not otherwise be identified.

The FAP is also unique in that they are 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. The eight members of the FAP are stationed throughout the state at various State Police posts and labs.

"Forensic artists are the unsung heroes of criminal investigation and we are fortunate to have a very talented and passionate team, in which two of our nine artists are in the same family," stated Detective Sergeant Annette Cook, coordinator of the FAP. "Krebs and Foster, along with the rest of the team, provide their talents to any agency requesting their assistance. Their composites have resulted in many arrests for crimes that would otherwise remain unsolved."

Krebs began his art training in college, studying fine and studio art at Macomb Community College, Wayne State University and Saginaw Valley State University. He has also trained at Scottsdale Artist’s School and the FBI Artist’s Composite School at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. Krebs is the longest-serving member of the FAP with 28 years as a forensic artist.

Krebs completed his first composite sketch in 1975 for a fellow trooper at the Bay City Post. Already known as the "post cartoonist", he was asked to lend his drawing talents to an investigation. Following some success, he began doing sketches on a regular basis. In 1992, he and Lieutenant Gary Powell, now retired from the MSP, founded the FAP. The program started with six members including Powell and Krebs.

Krebs enlisted with the MSP in 1974, after a two-year enlistment in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at the Bay City Post as a trooper for 10 years before being promoted to sergeant at the Caro Post. In 1990, he transferred to the Bad Axe Post as post detective, where he remains today.

Krebs’ only daughter, Trooper Sarah (Krebs) Foster, began her art career as a cartoonist for "The State News", the campus newspaper of Michigan State University (MSU). After completing her studies at MSU, and receiving a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, Foster joined the MSP. She graduated as a member of the 119^th Recruit School and took assignment at the Richmond Post. Foster followed in her father’s footsteps by joining the FAP in February 2002, as the team’s ninth and newest member.

Foster is currently attending the FBI Composite Artist’s School at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. She was chosen as one of only 12 students from around the country and the world to attend the three-week school.

According to Cook, "Sarah has quickly become the busiest artist in the state with over 30 composite sketches and age progression drawings in the past 10 months alone."

Currently, the FAP is assisting the MSP Fugitive Team by creating age progression drawings for Michigan’s Most Wanted Fugitives, since some of their arrest photographs are over 20-years old. The FAP plans to release the age progressed drawings with the hope that someone can make a positive identification leading to the apprehension of these fugitives.

During 2002, the FAP handled over 98 requests for assistance. Approximately 75 percent of those requests came from agencies outside the MSP. Forensic artists are stationed at the Metro South, Bad Axe, Lansing, Bridgman and Richmond posts, as well as at the Grayling and Lansing laboratories.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Detective Sergeant Annette Cook, FAP coordinator, (517) 336-6115.