Pedophiles Can’t Hide Behind Digitally Altered Photos Anymore!

By Pamela Mortimer

The International Criminal Police Organization, better known as Interpol, is considered to be the police force of the world. The organization, which headquarters its operation in Lyon, France, works in cooperation with countries around the world to identify and apprehend criminals.

On Monday, Interpol posted on its website four reconstructed photos of a man sexually abusing 12 different young boys in various locations throughout Vietnam and Cambodia. Previously, the Internet photos of the predator were useless because the man’s face was digitally altered using a whirl pattern. German specialists have been able to reverse the pattern, unveiling the man’s true image. While the finished reproduction isn’t perfect, the identity of the man will be as easily ascertained as if he was posing for a mug shot. While the man appears to be different in each photo, one with glasses, etc., authorities aren’t worried that the subtle differences will affect the apprehension efforts.

Swedish police officer Anders Persson, who manages Interpol's database of child abuse images, said releasing the photos to the media sent "a quite clear message" to criminals trying to hide their faces on Web postings. Interpol has declined to give out information on the actual process.

"Techniques are always developing. What is impossible today is possible tomorrow," he said. "There were several attempts to clear the face... We are sure that you can't get better pictures and the people in his neighborhood — family friends, colleagues, whatever — they will recognize him."

According to Persson, 12 different young boys were subjects in nearly 200 original photographs. Some photos gave clues to their locations while others have police stumped. One photo showed the name of a hotel in Vietnam. So far, the guest registry has failed to turn up any information. Cambodian police were able to identify some of the locations in the photos.

Although the images may help to catch a sexual predator that has been on the loose for some time, Persson was initially opposed to making the photos public. The reasoning? If criminals know about the new technology, it may prevent Interpol from catching them. Also, the man who has yet to be identified may face public humiliation or physical violence by those who recognize him. However, Persson’s concerns were outweighed by the desire to protect other children from sexual abuse.

"It was a long discussion," Persson said. "We can't just sit here and do nothing. We have exhausted all possibilities within police work to find this man... This was the last step."

The photos were originally found on the Internet in December 2004 but bore digital stamps from 2002 and 2003, said Persson. The 12 boys, who range in age from six years old to their early teens, have not been located despite a world-wide effort to locate them.

Interpol encourages those who recognize the man or who have other information regarding the case to contact police or the Interpol bureau in their country. It urges citizens not to take any direct action or engage in confrontation.