One view is not enough: engagement, recognition and presentation of forensic facial depictions

Purpose This study aims to assess whether dynamic rotation enhances the recognition of forensic facial depiction compared to traditional multi-view static (polyptych) presentation and to examine how viewpoint availability and repeat exposure influence identification outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Two psychological experiments compared the recognition of facial depictions presented either as multi-view static polyptychs – either (three-view) triptychs or (five-view) pentaptychs – or 16-s dynamic rotations (animated GIFs). Recognition was measured using correct and incorrect naming responses from participants and a combined naming-accuracy index. Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate the effect of presentation format while accounting for variation across participants and stimuli. Findings Experiment 1 involved facial depictions presented as static triptych (three views: front view plus two side profiles) and dynamic-view rotation. Dynamic presentation did not significantly improve correct naming overall. However, when faces were viewed twice, dynamic presentation produced significantly higher correct naming and overall accuracy relative to static presentation. In Experiment 2, two three-quarter profiles were added to the static condition to give a static (five-view) pentaptych. These pentaptychs now slightly increased correct naming and significantly improved accuracy compared with dynamic rotation. Repeated exposure provided modest identification benefits but was also associated with some increase in mistaken names. Overall, static three-quarter viewpoints enhanced recognition, while dynamic motion was thought to mainly increase engagement and to provide recognition gains under repeated viewing when there is a limited number of fixed views available. Practical implications For the presentation of forensic facial depiction to stimulate recognition, results suggest that increasing the number of viewpoints is more effective than motion for promoting accurate recognition, although dynamic presentation may be useful when repeating exposure of limited (front-and-side view) perspectives. Originality/value This study offers the first direct empirical comparison of static multi-view and dynamic rotational facial depictions in a forensic context, demonstrating distinct recognition outcomes and informing evidence-based display practice.