View source for E-FIT

{{short description|Digital facial composite production method}}
'''Electronic Facial Identification Technique''' ('''E-FIT''', '''e-fit''', '''efit''') is a computer-based method of producing [[facial composite]]s of wanted criminal(s), based on [[Witness|eyewitness]] descriptions.

== Uses ==
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The system first appeared in the late 1980s, programmed by John Platten and has since been progressively refined by Platten and latterly by Matthew Maylin. E-FIT has developed a reputation as a highly reliable and flexible system for feature-based composite construction.

Customers for this system exist in over 30 countries around the world. These include the [[Metropolitan Police Service]], the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms]] (ATF), the [[New York Police Department]], the Stockholm Police, the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] and the [[Jamaica Constabulary Force]].

E-FIT is used both for minor and serious crimes. In the [[United Kingdom]], it is an ever-present feature on the [[BBC]]'s ''[[Crimewatch]]'' television programme. The system is available in multiple languages.

The widespread use of the original E-FIT approach is gradually being superseded by a new version of the program called EFIT-V. EFIT-V is a full-colour, hybrid system that offers increased flexibility and speed, allowing the face to be constructed using both evolutionary and systematic construction techniques.

== Efficacy ==
The E-FIT, Pro-fit, and similar systems used in the UK have been subjected to a number of formal academic examinations. In these studies, volunteers were able to identify the person in the composite about 20% of the time if the composite was prepared immediately after viewing the subject. However, one study found that if witnesses were required to wait two days before constructing a composite, which matches real-life applications more closely, success rates fell to between 3 and 8 per cent.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Frowd |first1=Charlie D. |last2=Carson |first2=Derek |last3=Ness |first3=Hayley |last4=McQuiston-Surrett |first4=Dawn |last5=Richardson |first5=Jan |last6=Baldwin |first6=Hayden |last7=Hancock |first7=Peter |title=Contemporary composite techniques: The impact of a forensically-relevant target delay |journal=Legal and Criminological Psychology |date=February 2005 |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=63–81 |doi=10.1348/135532504X15358 |s2cid=58864612 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1348/135532504X15358 |language=en|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Facial recognition]]
[[Category:Law enforcement techniques]]
[[Category:Identity documents]]