From Pencil Sketches to AI: How Technology is Revolutionizing Police Composite Drawings in Brazil

São Paulo, Brazil – May 30, 2025 – The methods used by Brazilian police to create composite sketches of suspects have undergone a significant transformation, moving from traditional hand-drawn images to advanced digital techniques. A recent case highlights this evolution. In the murder investigation of student Bruna Oliveira da Silva in Itaquera, police utilized frames from a low-quality video to create a recognizable image. Forensic artist Sidney Barbosa, a 53-year veteran of the São Paulo Civil Police Department of Homicides, explained the process, stating, "Antigamente, eram desenhos feitos à mão. (Previously, they were hand-drawn.)" Now, Barbosa uses software and AI, creating a more realistic and detailed sketch. The digital approach allows for quick adjustments and refinements based on witness descriptions or even low-resolution images, as seen in the Silva case. While these sketches are not considered legal evidence, they play a crucial role in investigations, often leading to the identification of suspects. The successful identification of the suspect in the Silva case demonstrates the power of technological advancements in crime-solving.