Michael Streed

Sergeant (Ret.) Michael W. Streed is an internationally-recognized forensic facial imaging expert based in Southern California. For 35 years he has blended his rich law enforcement experience and artistic skills to provide forensic facial imaging services to some of the largest, most diverse, police agencies in the United States, including the Los Angeles and Baltimore City Police Departments. In 2012, Michael realized a long-time career goal when he became Baltimore Police Department's first ever, full-time Forensic Artist. He served in the position until 2015. Michael converted their Forensic Facial Imaging Unit to a remote, virtual operation, the first major police agency in the country to do so. Today, he remains the department's Forensic Artist. During his distinguished law enforcement career Michael investigated a variety of violent crimes, sexual assaults and juvenile crime. This helped him develop highly-specialized interview skills which he adapted for his role as a police sketch artist. Michael's unique perspective on eyewitnesses, coupled with his superior communication skills has made him one of Southern California's most sought after police sketch artists. This led him to successfully develop police sketches for many high-profile cases such as: The Samantha Runnion murder, the Anthony Martinez murder, the Baton Rouge serial killer, and Orange County's (CA) Fortune Teller murder. Michael has long been recognized for his contributions to law enforcement through his use of forensic art. He has received several prestigious awards, including: The Orange Police Department Award of Merit, United States Congressional Certificate of Recognition, The American Legion Award and a nomination for the Orange County Sheriff's Department Medal of Valor. In 2013, Michael was awarded certification by the International Association for Identification, achieving the status of Certified Forensic Artist. Many of Michael's cases have been profiled on such shows as: 'America's Most Wanted' and 'Unsolved Mysteries'. He has also been profiled in several major newspapers and has been interviewed on: CNN with Connie Chung, Fox News Channel, ABC 20/20 with Barbara Walters and ID Discovery's show "Wicked Attraction: Bad Fortune." In his latest television appearance, Michael was asked to lend his expertise to help authorities determine the fate of three inmates from the infamous 1962 Alcatraz Prison break. The History Channel special, Alcatraz: Search for the Truth, aired in October 2015. The popular program has since been replayed on numerous occasions. Michael is also a noted author and popular lecturer on the subject of facial imaging/identification and true crime. He is currently working on his next book, Creating Digital Faces for Law Enforcement (Elsevier/Academic Press) scheduled to be published in 2017. Michael's current true crime/memoir, SketchCop - Drawing A Line Against Crime (WildBlue Press) was released in January 2016. The book is a collection of true crimes stories that describe Michael's role as a police sketch artist and the significant contributions he made to select investigations. Michael is currently working on his next non-fiction, true crime book scheduled for release in 2017. Michael long ago recognized law enforcement's need for a digital composite imaging solution. He created SketchCop® Facette Face Design System, an innovative software program that helps law enforcement personnel create high-quality digital composite images. Michael also trains law enforcement personnel and forensic science students in the use of the software. By combining his experience as an investigator and police sketch artist, Michael allows law enforcement officers to borrow his skills on their very own PC's or laptop computers. As the principal owner of SketchCop® Solutions LLC, Michael continues to provide facial imaging support to law enforcement, corporations and private entities, while introducing true crime fans to a unique perspective on the true crime genre.