The Goodyear Police Department has used AI to create a hyperrealistic image of a suspect in the recent attempted abduction of a child.
A disclaimer accompanying the image, shared by Goodyear police on Facebook and X on April 11, states that the suspect’s likeness is not of a real person but is an “AI-generated image.”
According to police, the image was produced using “groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence and forensic art,” and is based on statements from witnesses and the victim in connection with an attempted abduction reported earlier this month.
Goodyear police indicated that in some instances, AI-generated images could be replacements for traditional suspect sketches.
“We are hopeful that these new techniques and AI technology will assist in solving more complex cases in the future, here in Arizona and around the country,” the post says.
The incident took place at about noon on April 4, when a 14-year-old female student was walking near the intersection of Village Boulevard and Watkins Street in Goodyear, “when a male suspect grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her toward Hilton Street,” the Police Department’s post says.
“The victim was able to escape, run home, and alert her parents, who immediately contacted police,” according to the department.
The image shows a middle-aged man with a thick moustache wearing a hoodie, and it looks similar to a real photo.
Goodyear police did not immediately respond to questions regarding their decision to use AI technology, though a spokesperson wrote in an email on April 12 that the department has a forensic artist officer who is spearheading the effort.
BREAKING NEWS
Goodyear police use AI to create hyperrealistic image of kidnapping suspect
Arizona Republic
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The Goodyear Police Department has used AI to create a hyperrealistic image of a suspect in the recent attempted abduction of a child.
A disclaimer accompanying the image, shared by Goodyear police on Facebook and X on April 11, states that the suspect’s likeness is not of a real person but is an “AI-generated image.”
According to police, the image was produced using “groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence and forensic art,” and is based on statements from witnesses and the victim in connection with an attempted abduction reported earlier this month.
Goodyear police indicated that in some instances, AI-generated images could be replacements for traditional suspect sketches.
“We are hopeful that these new techniques and AI technology will assist in solving more complex cases in the future, here in Arizona and around the country,” the post says.Police activity: Tucson woman fatally shot by DPS trooper on side of I-10 ID’d as Robin Rae Budelli
The incident took place at about noon on April 4, when a 14-year-old female student was walking near the intersection of Village Boulevard and Watkins Street in Goodyear, “when a male suspect grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her toward Hilton Street,” the Police Department’s post says.
“The victim was able to escape, run home, and alert her parents, who immediately contacted police,” according to the department.
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The image shows a middle-aged man with a thick moustache wearing a hoodie, and it looks similar to a real photo.
Goodyear police did not immediately respond to questions regarding their decision to use AI technology, though a spokesperson wrote in an email on April 12 that the department has a forensic artist officer who is spearheading the effort.
The AI-generated image sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some users commented that the image resembled a cartoon action figure, while others said it looked like various celebrities, including Tom Selleck, the late Bill Paxton, and the fictional TV character Ted Lasso.
Some users applauded the effort.
“This would be the only reason I would be okay with an AI generated photo!” a Facebook user named Sandy Lee posted.
“Thanks for investing in this type of technology!” a user registered as Denise Clemente posted.
Source: https://www.azcentral.com/