Master of Science - Forensic Art and Facial Imaging

Forensic artists aid in the identification or location of victims of crime, missing persons, or human remains. They help with the identification, apprehension, or conviction of criminals.

The course starts by giving students a strong foundation in anatomy, observational drawing, and anatomical illustration skills, before moving on to more specialized modules in the second semester.

Students will go on to learn the practical techniques involved in a range of forensic art applications including facial reconstruction, post-mortem depiction, age progression, and facial composite sketching. Students will use a variety of specialist hardware, including 3D modelling software with haptic feedback styluses and 3D scanners.

They will learn anatomy from Thiel embalmed cadavers and prosections. These cadavers are soft-fix, which means they retain real-to-life qualities, including realistic colour, tissue quality, and flexibility. Students will be taught by highly specialized tutors from scientific backgrounds such as anatomy, as well as experienced forensic art supervisors.