Additional Information
In the mid-1980s Karen Taylor, a civilian graphic designer with the Texas
Department of Public Safety, branched out into forensic art and met a New
York detective who shared her passion. The two convinced the International
Association for Identification to include forensic artists in their organization.
"The intent was to encourage communication with people operating in isolation,"
says Taylor. "People were struggling along without standards, guidelines or
training."
The FBI launched a course in 1984 for police officers looking for training
in this area. Taylor now offers her own training workshops.
"There wasn't a degree program in any university in the U.S.," says Taylor.
"People were calling me from all over the country asking how to get into this.
I just said that if you're a young guy or gal who wants to be a police officer
and likes art, get into a law enforcement position and demonstrate your art
skills."
Taylor recommends that people become familiar with all the tools and all
the aspects of forensic art.
"If you're going to seriously do forensic art, you should do it all. It
will make you a more valuable employee." She also recommends students take
college or university courses in not only art, but psychology, criminal justice
or criminology.