drawing i nspirationN
ow in my mid-30s, I have
lived in Texas all my life.
I have served as a police
officer and a medic, for well over
a decade in each case. I completed
high school in 1992, in an advanced
study program. For a time, I lived
with my sister and her husband
who was a federal law enforcement
officer ... he taught me right from
wrong, and because of his influence I
wanted to get into law enforcement.
I began my law enforcement
career in 1994, working in the jail
system. I attended local college and
became licensed as a Texas policeofficer in 1996. I worked as a patrol
officer for a few years, and then I
had a chance to get licensed as an
advanced life support medic in 1999.
Subsequently I began working in
investigation and became certified
in crime scene processing.
One day, while working on a case,
our crime scene artist could not come
in. My supervisor asked me to just do
a quick drawing of the crime scene,
and try to get a basic drawing of
the suspect for the patrol unit to use
(later, we could get a better one).
I did both of the drawings, and
when our regular artist saw mywork he liked it; and he showed
me a few ways to enhance it.
Now I work in crime scene
processing. I also work as a translator;
and field and SWAT medic; along with
working as a crime scene investigator.
I am involved in investigating crimes
against children; in SWAT/tactical
work; and I am also State certified by
the State of Texas in mental health
crisis intervention and recovery.
I use art and drawing to help
in the recovery of victims of
violent crime, along with helping
other emergency personnel with
recovery after violent events.
I began drawing seriously
after that first crime scene and I
found it very helpful for me.
It taught me to get better detail that
most people would not see. I now
draw quite a lot, as well as painting
with watercolours and acrylics. My
favourite artistic style is drawing
with pencil, graphite, and pen and
ink. I also teach drawing classes.
I have never entered any art shows
and I would really not know how to. I
love painting with colour, too ... but
for me there is just something about
the darks and lights of drawing.
I have never taken any classes,
aside from a few tips I got from
theoldpoliceartistI usedtowork
with.Whenheretireda fewyears
later, I took over his position. I readTo Draw for the Law
An American police officer, tactical medic and artist tells of his work as a
crime scene artist and his mediums of preference – including the innovative
Australian product Derivan Liquid Pencil.
Contributed by Alfredo Saenz Jr