by Heather Skold
h.skold@krdo.com
http://twitter.com/HeatherSkold13

PUEBLO - To catch a criminal.  One computer program promises to do just that.  Question is, are the renderings more of a help or a hindrance?  And how do they compare to suspect sketches? 

You see it everyday: robberies, heists, murders.  Criminals, getting away with what they do best.       

Enter: “FACES.” 

The forensic software can generate 4400 facial features, bringing thousands of detectives nationwide closer to their suspects.  It's on the computers of America's Most Wanted.  And the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.  

But how accurate is it?  

We decided to put it to the test, staging a crime.  Our producer, Jemal, volunteering to play criminal.  Lauren Kunzie, our unsuspecting victim.  

We set up to fake interview Lauren, who had no idea we strategically placed a bag right behind her.  On cue, Jemal arrives, bending down behind her chair, pretending to steal something from the bag.  

He pauses so Lauren can get a good look at him.  

Later, photographer Isaac looks for his batteries and gear.  He finds nothing.  In reality, Isaac's bag was empty the whole time. 

The charade comes to an end.  We tell Lauren about the set up.  She agrees to come with us to the Sheriff’s Office as a “witness.” 

Detective David Clements walks Lauren through the "FACES" program, Starting with face and eye shapes.  The program has a number of distinguishing marks: scars, moles, piercings, tattoos, and hats.  "FACES" can set any feature - making them wider, longer, shorter, or older. 

As thorough as "FACES" is, it can be traumatic for real victims in creating the picture. 

"Victims, when they're sitting here doing this, it brings up that event again," said Detective David Clements with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.  

Not to mention, influential. 

"We do we play a gamble with it, when we put it out. Is it going to match anybody, or is somebody going to mis-identify somebody just because looks like them." 

And, there are limitations – it can’t capture every distinguishing feature for every person. 

Detective Clements says, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office hopes to use the "FACES" program more, and have no plans to do away with sketch artists.  The program costs $600.