Revised composite sketch

[pittsburgh_phil]

It isn't that one. It's a painting of both composite drawings from the Stine murder. If I find the painting I'll link it.

[traveller1st]

There's this one by Rembrandt, a Z forums member not the painter lol.

ZodiacMediumHair.jpg

As for my 3d 'efforts' well .... I think 'effort' is the best phrase to use. An attempt at best and TBH not really helpful lol. I may revisit it but only as a complete figure to use in reconstructions of the crime scenes for visual reference and working out positioning scenarios.

[morf13]

There's this one by Rembrandt, a Z forums member not the painter lol.

ZodiacMediumHair.jpg

As for my 3d 'efforts' well .... I think 'effort' is the best phrase to use. An attempt at best and TBH not really helpful lol. I may revisit it but only as a complete figure to use in reconstructions of the crime scenes for visual reference and working out positioning scenarios.

interesting thread. Someplace, we have altered sketches of the mystery guy from Berryessa,glasses added,etc. Maybe consider those as well in this discussion

[entropy]

While that's a great depiction, I think it's risky to try and "improve" on the composite sketches created by the actual eyewitnesses. There was no comment on the color of Z's eyes, for instance, which could change his appearance significantly. I've seen other sketches where folks have tried to "fatten him up" to match earlier observations but wouldn't the Presidio teens have suggested that if it's what they saw. The composite sketches are the best estimate that could be created and was endorsed by four eyewitnesses. It's almost certainly not 100% accurate but it's the best that could be created at the time.

[traveller1st]

While that's a great depiction, I think it's risky to try and "improve" on the composite sketches created by the actual eyewitnesses. There was no comment on the color of Z's eyes, for instance, which could change his appearance significantly. I've seen other sketches where folks have tried to "fatten him up" to match earlier observations but wouldn't the Presidio teens have suggested that if it's what they saw. The composite sketches are the best estimate that could be created and was endorsed by four eyewitnesses. It's almost certainly not 100% accurate but it's the best that could be created at the time.

I agree.

Ironic as I was probably responsible for some of those 'improved' depictions. Ah the heady days of trying to be useful and impress people lol. That's how I got to know Glurk. I couldn't have made 'THAT likeness' if I'd been intending to. We both got told off lol. Rightly so though. I've done all of that 'exploring' and I'm pretty much where you are now Ent regarding the composite. It is what it is and it's the best we have. And it could be worse.

[Tahoe27]

I guess we won't truly know until Zodiac is caught and we have a photograph of him in October of 1969.

[Welsh Chappie]

"While that's a great depiction, I think it's risky to try and "improve" on the composite sketches created by the actual eyewitnesses."

Very true. It also then makes it unavoidable to ponder the motives of a person who wished to alter the sketch, even if they claim to have no personal motive, the cynical person like myself ( ) would be suspicious. I do think though that there are certain circumstances where a revised effort is warranted. Amendment's made to the age and weight of the man depicted in the Pacific Heights Sketch could be justified because Don Fouke said that the composite was similar to the man he had seen, but stated that the man was older and heavier than he appears in the composite. That is the opinion of trained observer who saw the suspect on a lit street without anything obstructing his view, and Zodiac wearing nothing on or over his head.

I am not in favour of the official changing of the composite, but I think there are more than good grounds to experiment with the composite within the amateur community.

[Quagmire]

Yes, I do like the idea of "bringing it to life" by using colour, etc for the hair and skin as long as we closely stick to the evidence we already have.

Personally, I loved your artwork, Traveller - it really seems to make Z look more human (if we can ever describe the bastard as that).

[entropy]

Yeah, the good efforts I've seen actually look far more "lifelike" than the original composite sketches but are they more accurate? I think the risk is assuming that they are because they look better and combine other eyewitness observations. WC makes a good point about even unintended bias in "fixing" the original sketches. If your favorite POI is heftier or if you think Arthur Leigh Allen was the best suspect, for instance, that might be an unintended bias. If you believe that Z was on the older or younger side, it might be natural to adjust his appearance accordingly.

Nothing wrong with the attempts, of course, but I often hear comments such as "Wow! that looks amazing! It's often more a commentary on the skill of the artist, IMO, and whether it fits ones own personal image of Zodiac.

[pittsburgh_phil]

That's the sketch. Thanks for posting it Trav. I'm surprised no one has made a sculpture of the composite and age progressed it. They did something like that when they were hunting for John List and it seemed to pay off.