How cutting-edge DNA technology is used to develop composite sketches | Forensic Files

what characteristics can you identify and predict eye color is the easiest because it's almost 100% genetic and
then probably hair color skin color and freckling and then face shape you have helped close cases you have helped find
killers absolutely we have helped solve quite a number of cases so you really can change
the way these investigations are conducted right and that's why why detectives are coming to us because they
need this information we're able to give them an objective description of the person that they're looking for and
especially allow them to eliminate people who really don't match that description
if this is what you think the guy looked like it at age 25 how do you know what he looks like today generally as we age
you know we're gaining a little bit of weight you know we can look for some cases to see if there's any signature
for balding can you take me through your your thought process and your process in
aging this guy it's the first thing I do if it's nature aggression is kind of wide in the face a little bit to
indicate that he's gained some weight and I kind of want to add some bags under his eyes some gels this is a sort
of instant aging how do you decide what the hair style and the hair color will be and so with the hair color we know
what the DNA prediction was for and you know we we know that you know people generally tend to tend to get gray hair
over time but you know for instance that he's not going to be bald because the DNA is told you he's not going to be
bald I think we had a little bit of a the indication he might be and nothing real strong strong so I gave him a
little bit of a receding hairline and that's what you believe he looks like today or it could look like today yeah
this is really we look at as a possibility that you know add a little bit of age some wrinkles some weight so
there's a little there's an art to this if you will yeah and there's there's wiggle room and we explained to the
detectives that it's it should be looked at very similar to a hand drawn composite sketch that that we're not
giving them a photograph of their person the images come to capsulate those most
likely predictions for this person and it's meant to kind of give you a feel of what the person may look like

Parabon NanoLabs’ Dr. Ellen Greytak and forensic artist Thom Shaw give “48 Hours”’ Richard Schlesinger an in-depth look at the science and art behind the facial composite sketches developed from a suspect’s DNA.

Get the latest news and best in original reporting from CBS News delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to newsletters HERE: http://cbsn.ws/1RqHw7T

Get your news on the go! Download CBS News mobile apps HERE: http://cbsn.ws/1Xb1WC8

Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream local news live, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! http://bit.ly/1OQA29B

--- "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. For 27 seasons, "48 Hours" has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives. Check local listings for "48 Hours" broadcast times.

Brief Summary

Genetic predictions of physical traits assist criminal investigations by providing objective suspect descriptions.

Key points

Predicting Appearance. Eye color prediction is nearly 100% genetic, making it the easiest to determine.
Aging Process. The process of aging a suspect's image involves careful consideration of physical changes.

Episode highlights

Aging ProcessThe process of aging a suspect's image involves careful consideration of physical changes.“There's wiggle room in how we age these images.”2:07Jan 20, 2019

Episode quotes

You really can change the way these investigations are conducted.

0:19WatchJan 20, 2019

More from 48 Hours

Solve the Crime

Read a real case one clue at a time, then see how your call held up against the investigators.