Michael W. Streed: True Crime Stories from a Forensic Artist

Michael W Streed

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.

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 The 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, American Legion Award and a nomination for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Medal of Valor.

In 2013, Michael’s expertise was recognized by his peers when he was certified as a Forensic Artist by the International Association for Identification.

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.”

Michael is also a noted author and popular lecturer on the subject of facial imaging/identification and true crime. Besides writing true crime titles for WildBlue Press; Michael will also be publishing an academic work, CREATING DIGITAL FACES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, due to be published in 2016 by Elsevier/Academic Press.

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.

Acclaim for Michael Streed and debut novel SketchCop…

“Michael Streed is as passionate about being an artist as he is about being a cop. It’s that passion which fuels his ground-breaking work.”

~ JuJu Chang, Correspondent – ABC News, New York

“Michael Streed has the ability to take victims and eyewitnesses back in time to relive their often horrific experience. He does this through his excellent interviewing techniques and a genuine compassion for what they have experience. Michael’s drawings accomplish what a thousand words cannot; visual depictions that assist law enforcement and the community in brining criminals to justice, like the killer of Samantha Runnion.”

~Manual Ortega, Chief of Police (Ret.) – Bell Gardens, CA Police Department