You call THAT a "likeness"?!?

A 30 year veteran of police sketches explains why the resulting drawings aren't beautiful or even perfect representations of suspects.

"The main thing to grasp is that it's not supposed to be a portrait, or a piece of art,' explains Jan.

'It's much easier recognising someone again than describing them bit by bit. What we're looking for here is what's called a 'type likeness' - it's just a visual likeness, not a copy - a bit like putting a jigsaw together as they hand me the pieces.'

And that's part of the trouble. 'I'm just the witness's pen and pencils - his toolbox.

I can't go beyond what someone tells me, even if I think it looks horrible or daft,' says Jan. 'You see pictures on Crimewatch looking terrible, but if the witness says "Stop. That's him!", then that is him.'"

-Call that a Likeness? It's criminal! UK Daily Mail Online