New tech to help PNP solve crime

As part of its modernization program, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now utilizing the Computerized Composite Illustration (CCIS) in speeding-up the identification of criminals or suspects in crime cases.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome has ordered all regional directors, regional police offices and national operation support units to use the facial images or illustrations generated through the CCIS. Bartolome said CCIS is technology in crime investigation that were introduced by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which provides precise facial profiling of a suspect or criminals.

“This system produces more realistic photos than the old system of hand-drawn or cartographic sketches, as it stores over 700 facial images. These images can then be combined into countless real-life photos,” Bartolome said.

The PNP chief said that more than a hundred police officers are highly trained to operate the CCIS equipment to ensure the utilization and standardize the upgraded investigative procedures and processes of the PNP.

Bartolome said that the state-of-the-art equipment is now being used by the PNP Crime Laboratory to identify crime suspects or perpetrators crimes that still remains at large.

The PNP chief said that facial composite illustrations not only contain basic descriptions of the suspects but also ample information necessary in cross referencing with other suspects engaged in crimes of different nature and Modus Operandi.

“It includes Criminal Case number, Offense or Incident, Name of the Suspect or Alias, Sex, Age, Height, Weight, Built, Complexion, Description, Name of Describing Party, Requesting Party, Investigator on Case and CFC/Interviewer,” Bartolome said.

The necessary data is useful for critical evaluation which could lead to possible identification of the suspects specifically on cases handled by Task Force USIG or in terrorism related incidents.

“The Computerized Criminal Illustration System helps the organization to prevent and respond to street or even transnational crimes,” Bartolome said.