Evaluation of facial composites utilizing the EvoFIT software program

Facial composites are traditionally created with the assistance of a sketch artist, and the resulting image is then circulated in the police force as well as the public community. However, with the advance of computer technologies and a better understanding of how facial composites are created, composite software systems have developed greatly. EvoFIT, an abbreviation for Evolutionary Facial Imaging Technique, is a computer program used to create composites based on the Darwinian concept. It allows a witness to select for global features of the face, that will in turn be combined together to create new faces that have a greater likeness to the offender. The EvoFIT program aims to boost the low recognition values of facial composite methods currently used. The purpose of this study is to evaluate production of two composites from the same person as a mechanism for improving performance. The use of a second composite, paired composites, and morphed composites is examined as mechanisms for boosting recognition. Ten sets of composites representing ten different volunteers (targets) were created using EvoFIT. The first composite in each set was named correctly 8.3% of the time, the second composites at 18.3%, the paired composites at 20%, and the morphed composites at 23.33%. The results support the theory that use of a second composite, a pair of composites, and morphed composites increases the number of instances in which namers correctly identify the target. This research suggests that it is valuable for a witness to construct a second composite using EvoFIT or similar software

An evaluation of post-production facial composite enhancement techniques

Purpose: This article describes four experiments evaluating post-production enhancement techniques with facial composites mainly created using the EFIT-V holistic system. Design/methodology/approach: Each experiment was conducted in two stages. In Stage 1, constructors created between one and four individual composites of unfamiliar targets. These were merged to create morphs, and in Experiment 3, composites were also vertically stretched. In Stage 2, participants familiar with the targets named or provided target-similarity ratings to the images. Findings: In Experiments 1-3, correct naming rates were significantly higher to between-witness 4-morphs, within-witness 4-morphs and vertically stretched composites than to individual composites. In Experiment 4, there was a positive relationship between composite-target similarity ratings and between-witness morph-size (2-, 4-, 8-, 16-morphs). Practical implications: The likelihood of a facial composite being recognised can be improved by morphing and vertical stretch. Originality/value: A greater understanding of the theoretical underpinnings and applied advantage of post-production facial composite techniques should ensure greater acceptance by the criminal justice system, leading to better detection outcomes

Improving composite images of faces produced by eyewitnesses

When a witness views a crime, they are often asked to construct a facial likeness, or composite of the suspect. These composites are then used to stimulate recognition from someone who is familiar with the suspect. Facial composites are commonly used in large scale cases e. g. Jill Dando, Yorkshire Ripper, however a great deal of research has indicated that facial composites perform poorly and often do not portray an accurate likeness of the suspect. This thesis therefore examined methods of improving facial composites. In particular, it examined methods of increasing the likeness portrayed in composites, both during construction and at test. Experiments 1 to 3 examined the effectiveness of a new three-quarter-view database in PROfit. Experiment 1 examined whether the presentation of composites in a three-quarter- view composite will aid construction. Participant-witnesses were exposed to all views of a target and the results indicated that three-quarter-view composites performed as well as full-face composites but not better. Experiments 2 and 3 then examined whether the presentation of two composites (one in a full-face view and the other in a three-quarter-view) from the same participant-witness would increase performance above the level observed for a single composite. The results revealed that two views were better than one. In addition, experiment 3 examined the issue of encoding specificity and viewpoint dependency in composite construction. All participant-witnesses were exposed to either one view of a target (full-face or three-quarter) or all views and they were asked to construct both a full-face and a three-quarter- view composite. The results indicated that performance was better when all views of a face had been presented. When a target had been seen in a three-quarter-view, it was better to construct a three-quarter-view composite. However, when a target had been seen in a full-face view, performance for both full-face and three-quarter composites was poor. Experiments 4 to 8 examined whether the presentation of composites from multiple witnesses would increase performance. The results revealed that morphing composites from four different witnesses (4-Morphs) resulted in an image that performed as well as or better than the best single image. Further experimentation attempted to examine why multiple composites performed well. In particular, it was asked whether multiple composites performed well because they contained varied information or whether they performed well because they just contained more information. Multiple composites from both single and multiple witnesses using the same (PROfit) and different (PROfit, E-FIT, Sketch, EvoFIT) composite techniques were compared and the results revealed that multiple composites performed well because they contained different memorial representations. This combination of different memorial representations appeared to result in an image that was closer to the ideal, or prototypical image. Experiments 9 to 12 examined the relationship between verbal descriptions and composite quality. The results revealed that there was no clear relationship between the amount of description provided, the accuracy of the description and performance of the resulting composite. Further experimentation examined whether the presentation of a composite and a description would increase performance above the level observed for a single composite. The results revealed that the combination of a description and a composite from the same participant-witness did increase performance. This indicated that descriptions and composites might contain differing amounts and types of featural and configurational information. Both the theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed. Experiments 1, 2 and 3 of this thesis have been submitted for publication. Ness, H., Hancock, P. J. B., Bowie, L. and Bruce, V. Are two views better than one? A study investigating recognition of full-face and three-quarter-view composites. Applied Cognitive Psychology. Experiment 4 of this thesis appears in Bruce, V., Ness, H., Hancock, P. J. B., Newman, C. and Rarity, J. (2002). Four heads are better than one: combining face composites results yields improvements in face likeness. Journal of Applied Psychology. 87 (5), 894-902. Other Publications Frowd, C. D., Carson, D., Ness, H., Richardson, J., Morrison, L., McLanaghan, S., Hancock, P. J. B. Evaluating Facial Composite Systems. Manuscript accepted for publication in Psychology, Crime and Law. Frowd, C. D., Carson, D., Ness, H., McQuiston, D., Richardson, J., Baldwin, H., Hancock, P. J. B. Contemporary Composite Techniques: The impact of a forensically relevant target delay. Manuscript accepted for publication in Legal and Criminological Psychology

The analysis of facial beauty: an emerging area of research in pattern analysis

Much research presented recently supports the idea that the human perception of attractiveness is data-driven and largely irrespective of the perceiver. This suggests using pattern analysis techniques for beauty analysis. Several scientific papers on this subject are appearing in image processing, computer vision and pattern analysis contexts, or use techniques of these areas. In this paper, we will survey the recent studies on automatic analysis of facial beauty, and discuss research lines and practical application

Understanding the multiframe caricature advantage for recognizing facial composites.

Eyewitnesses often construct a ‘composite’ face of a person they saw commit a crime, a picture that police use to identify suspects. We described a technique (Frowd et al., 2007, Visual Cognition, 15, 1-31) based on facial caricature to facilitate recognition of these images: correct naming substantially improves when composites are seen with progressive positive caricature, where distinctive information is enhanced, and then with progressive negative caricature, the opposite. Over the course of four experiments, the underpinnings of this mechanism are explored. Positive-caricature levels were found to be largely responsible for improving naming of composites, with some benefit from negative-caricature levels. Also, different frame-presentation orders (forward, reverse, random, repeated) facilitated equivalent naming benefit relative to static composites. Overall, the data indicate that composites are usually constructed as negative caricatures

Comparing featural and holistic composite systems with the aid of guided memory techniques

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-147)This study compares the effectiveness of two computerised composite construction systems - a holistic, recognition-based system named ID and a featural system that is utilized internationally, namely FACES. The comparison aimed to test whether ID produces better quality composites to FACES, and whether these composites could be improved with the aid of context reinstatement tehcniques, in particular guided memory. Participants (n=64) attended a staged event where they witnessed a female 'numerologist' for 20 minutes. Five weeks later they were asked to return to create a composite of the woman using either FACES or ID. Reconstructions were made in view, from memory after a South African Police interview or from memory after a guided memory interview. In addition, experts for each system constructed composites of each perpetrator. Studies have reported enhanced identification when multiple composites are combined to create a morpho. Hence, the guided memory composites for each perpetrator were morphed to create three ID and three FACES morphs. The complete set of 76 composites was then evaluated by 503 independent judges using matching and rating tasks. The study hypothesised that ID would perform better, but results suggest that the two systems performed equivalently. Results also suggest that the guided memory interview did not have the desired effect of significantly improving participants' memories of the perpetrator, and that contrary to expectations, the morphed composites performed extremely poorly and were rated the worst and identified the least. Related findings and ideas for future research are discussed

Improving composite images of faces produced by eyewitnesses

When a witness views a crime, they are often asked to construct a facial likeness, or composite of the suspect. These composites are then used to stimulate recognition from someone who is familiar with the suspect. Facial composites are commonly used in large scale cases e. g. Jill Dando, Yorkshire Ripper, however a great deal of research has indicated that facial composites perform poorly and often do not portray an accurate likeness of the suspect. This thesis therefore examined methods of improving facial composites. In particular, it examined methods of increasing the likeness portrayed in composites, both during construction and at test. Experiments 1 to 3 examined the effectiveness of a new three-quarter-view database in PROfit. Experiment 1 examined whether the presentation of composites in a three-quarter- view composite will aid construction. Participant-witnesses were exposed to all views of a target and the results indicated that three-quarter-view composites performed as well as full-face composites but not better. Experiments 2 and 3 then examined whether the presentation of two composites (one in a full-face view and the other in a three-quarter-view) from the same participant-witness would increase performance above the level observed for a single composite. The results revealed that two views were better than one. In addition, experiment 3 examined the issue of encoding specificity and viewpoint dependency in composite construction. All participant-witnesses were exposed to either one view of a target (full-face or three-quarter) or all views and they were asked to construct both a full-face and a three-quarter- view composite. The results indicated that performance was better when all views of a face had been presented. When a target had been seen in a three-quarter-view, it was better to construct a three-quarter-view composite. However, when a target had been seen in a full-face view, performance for both full-face and three-quarter composites was poor. Experiments 4 to 8 examined whether the presentation of composites from multiple witnesses would increase performance. The results revealed that morphing composites from four different witnesses (4-Morphs) resulted in an image that performed as well as or better than the best single image. Further experimentation attempted to examine why multiple composites performed well. In particular, it was asked whether multiple composites performed well because they contained varied information or whether they performed well because they just contained more information. Multiple composites from both single and multiple witnesses using the same (PROfit) and different (PROfit, E-FIT, Sketch, EvoFIT) composite techniques were compared and the results revealed that multiple composites performed well because they contained different memorial representations. This combination of different memorial representations appeared to result in an image that was closer to the ideal, or prototypical image. Experiments 9 to 12 examined the relationship between verbal descriptions and composite quality. The results revealed that there was no clear relationship between the amount of description provided, the accuracy of the description and performance of the resulting composite. Further experimentation examined whether the presentation of a composite and a description would increase performance above the level observed for a single composite. The results revealed that the combination of a description and a composite from the same participant-witness did increase performance. This indicated that descriptions and composites might contain differing amounts and types of featural and configurational information. Both the theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed. Experiments 1, 2 and 3 of this thesis have been submitted for publication. Ness, H., Hancock, P. J. B., Bowie, L. and Bruce, V. Are two views better than one? A study investigating recognition of full-face and three-quarter-view composites. Applied Cognitive Psychology. Experiment 4 of this thesis appears in Bruce, V., Ness, H., Hancock, P. J. B., Newman, C. and Rarity, J. (2002). Four heads are better than one: combining face composites results yields improvements in face likeness. Journal of Applied Psychology. 87 (5), 894-902. Other Publications Frowd, C. D., Carson, D., Ness, H., Richardson, J., Morrison, L., McLanaghan, S., Hancock, P. J. B. Evaluating Facial Composite Systems. Manuscript accepted for publication in Psychology, Crime and Law. Frowd, C. D., Carson, D., Ness, H., McQuiston, D., Richardson, J., Baldwin, H., Hancock, P. J. B. Contemporary Composite Techniques: The impact of a forensically relevant target delay. Manuscript accepted for publication in Legal and Criminological Psychology.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Applying psychology to forensic facial identification: perception and identification of facial composite images and facial image comparison

Eyewitness recognition is acknowledged to be prone to error but there is less understanding of difficulty in discriminating unfamiliar faces. This thesis examined the effects of face perception on identification of facial composites, and on unfamiliar face image comparison. Facial composites depict face memories by reconstructing features and configurations to form a likeness. They are generally reconstructed from an unfamiliar face memory, and will be unavoidably flawed. Identification will require perception of any accurate features, by someone who is familiar with the suspect and performance is typically poor. In typical face perception, face images are processed efficiently as complete units of information. Chapter 2 explored the possibility that holistic processing of inaccurate composite configurations will impair identification of individual features. Composites were split below the eyes and misaligned to impair holistic analysis (cf. Young, Hellawell, & Jay, 1987); identification was significantly enhanced, indicating that perceptual expertise with inaccurate configurations exerts powerful effects that can be reduced by enabling featural analysis. Facial composite recognition is difficult, which means that perception and judgement will be influence by an affective recognition bias: smiles enhance perceived familiarity, while negative expressions produce the opposite effect. In applied use, facial composites are generally produced from unpleasant memories and will convey negative expression; affective bias will, therefore, be important for facial composite recognition. Chapter 3 explored the effect of positive expression on composite identification: composite expressions were enhanced, and positive affect significantly increased identification. Affective quality rather than expression strength mediated the effect, with subtle manipulations being very effective. Facial image comparison (FIC) involves discrimination of two or more face images. Accuracy in unfamiliar face matching is typically in the region of 70%, and as discrimination is difficult, may be influenced by affective bias. Chapter 4 explored the smiling face effect in unfamiliar face matching. When multiple items were compared, positive affect did not enhance performance and false positive identification increased. With a delayed matching procedure, identification was not enhanced but in contrast to face recognition and simultaneous matching, positive affect improved rejection of foil images. Distinctive faces are easier to discriminate. Chapter 5 evaluated a systematic caricature transformation as a means to increase distinctiveness and enhance discrimination of unfamiliar faces. Identification of matching face images did not improve, but successful rejection of non-matching items was significantly enhanced. Chapter 6 used face matching to explore the basis of own race bias in face perception. Other race faces were manipulated to show own race facial variation, and own race faces to show African American facial variation. When multiple face images were matched simultaneously, the transformation impaired performance for all of the images; but when images were individually matched, the transformation improved perception of other race faces and discrimination of own race faces declined. Transformation of Japanese faces to show own race dimensions produced the same pattern of effects but failed to reach significance. The results provide support for both perceptual expertise and featural processing theories of own race bias. Results are interpreted with reference to face perception theories; implications for application and future study are discussed

CG-GAN: An Interactive Evolutionary GAN-Based Approach for Facial Composite Generation

Facial composites are graphical representations of an eyewitness's memory of a face. Many digital systems are available for the creation of such composites but are either unable to reproduce features unless previously designed or do not allow holistic changes to the image. In this paper, we improve the efficiency of composite creation by removing the reliance on expert knowledge and letting the system learn to represent faces from examples. The novel approach, Composite Generating GAN (CG-GAN), applies generative and evolutionary computation to allow casual users to easily create facial composites. Specifically, CG-GAN utilizes the generator network of a pg-GAN to create high-resolution human faces. Users are provided with several functions to interactively breed and edit faces. CG-GAN offers a novel way of generating and handling static and animated photo-realistic facial composites, with the possibility of combining multiple representations of the same perpetrator, generated by different eyewitnesses

Vision-based landing of a simulated unmanned aerial vehicle with fast reinforcement learning

Landing is one of the difficult challenges for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In this paper, we propose a vision-based landing approach for an autonomous UAV using reinforcement learning (RL). The autonomous UAV learns the landing skill from scratch by interacting with the environment. The reinforcement learning algorithm explored and extended in this study is Least-Squares Policy Iteration (LSPI) to gain a fast learning process and a smooth landing trajectory. The proposed approach has been tested with a simulated quadrocopter in an extended version of the USARSim Unified System for Automation and Robot Simulation) environment. Results showed that LSPI learned the landing skill very quickly, requiring less than 142 trials