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Recognition following long delays is superior for highly attractive and highly unattractive faces (cf. medium-attractive faces). In the current work, we investigated participants’ ability to recreate from memory faces of low, medium, and high physical attractiveness. In Experiment 1, participants constructed composites of familiar (celebrity) faces using the holistic EvoFIT system. When controlling for other variables that may influence face recognition (memorability, familiarity, likeability, and age), correct naming and ratings of likeness were superior for composites of low attractiveness targets. Experiment 2 replicated this design using the feature-based PRO-fit system, revealing superiority (by composite naming and ratings of likeness) for medium attractiveness. In Experiment 3, participants constructed composites of unfamiliar faces after a forensically relevant delay of 1 day. Using ratings of likeness as a measure of composite effectiveness, these same effects were observed for EvoFIT and PRO-fit. The work demonstrates the importance of attractiveness for method of composite face construction.

The article focuses on the significance of cartographic sketches of criminals in Great Britain. It highlights the need to yield a visual likeness to identify and convict the perpetrators. It states that the nature of facial memory has intrigued the psychologists driven by the fact that human memory has been compromised by the passage of time. The development of EvoFIT which has been inspired by the natural processes of selection and breeding is also emphasized.

The article focuses on research aimed at designing and evaluating improvements to each stage in the process of criminal identification in Great Britain. Two established systems that the police use to construct facial composites of criminal suspects including forensic artists and software packages. In both the artist and computerized systems, witnesses select individual facial features, followed by interviewing, system use and presentation.