Before advances in computer technology, a drawing or a photo-fit of a suspect in a crime was a common tool for detectives.
Now, when the victim of a crime does not know the culprit, in the absence of a drawing or photograph, police forces sometimes issue an e-fit depicting the likeness of an offender.
E-fit, or Electronic Facial Identification Technique technology, is the modern version of the police sketch or photo-fit.
With the help of a witness, police software generates a face to try and build an accurate representation of the suspect.
Greater Manchester Police regularly use such images to assist them in the solving of cases.
But a number of cases involving suspects pictured by e-fit remain unsolved.
Here, the M.E.N re-publishes e-fits of suspects in serious offences who are still wanted by police.
If you have any information about any of the cases below, contact the police on 101 or using Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Suspect grabbed woman by the mouth before trying to drag her to wooded area
This is the face of the suspect detectives are searching for in relation to a sexual assault and an assault in Worsley in July last year.
The incident happened at around 5.30pm on July 17 2020 when it was reported that a woman in her 20s was approached by a man near Hilton Lane.
Officers established that the man had grabbed her by the mouth and pulled her towards a wooded area.
During the struggle, the woman’s one-year-old son - who was in a pram - was knocked over.
Thankfully, neither the woman or her son were injured.
GMP issued this e-fit of the suspect, but the crime remains undetected.
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5194 quoting 2616 of 17/07/20 or the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Man raped woman at house in Shudehill
GMP released this e-fit of a rape suspect.
In April of last year, at around 4am, a girl in her teens attended a house with her friends in Shudehill.
There, a man raped her.
The woman was able to flee the scene and the suspect left the scene at around 6.30am, police have said.
The offender is described as mixed race, 6ft 2ins, of medium build with brown hair in twists.
He is also believed to have links to the South Manchester area.
Police released this image of the suspect, but no-one has been brought to justice yet.
Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident number 875 of 06/04/2020.
Detectives investigating attempted murder in Bolton one year on
Detectives released this e-fit in connection with an attempted murder in Bolton.
On July 12 2019, a 28-year-old man was shot several times after leaving the Outline Gym in Bolton in what was described by officers as a clear attempt to kill him.
11 days later, on July 13 2019, an improvised explosive device (IED) was thrown into an unoccupied BMW on Castle Street in Bolton where it exploded.
This incident occurred shortly before a car garage in Rochdale - which is owned by an associate of the BMW owner - was extensively damaged in an arson attack.
Three men have since been convicted in connection with the IED attack.
However, officers have yet been able to locate the gunman linked to the first incident, or a stolen dark red Vauxhall Mokka, which was seen in the area at the time of shooting on July 12.
Detectives have said that one line of enquiry is that the gunman has no links to Greater Manchester and was hired to commit the offence.
Officers are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Information can be uploaded through the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal https://mipp.police.uk
Anyone can contact the police on 0161 856 4711. Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Man raped woman at knifepoint in Tameside
Officers are searching for a man who raped a woman at knifepoint in 2019.
At around 6.30am on December 19 2019 a man knocked on the door of an address in Hollingworth, Tameside.
The man claimed the woman’s bin was on fire, GMP said.
As she opened the door to check, the man forced his way into her kitchen and held her at knifepoint.
He then raped her before making off through the back door with her purse and a quantity of cash.
Officers are still appealing for witnesses and describe the culprit as a white man, of skinny build and pale skin, aged in his 30’s with wide shoulders, dark blue/grey eyes, a gaunt face, a thin pointy nose, straight teeth, mousey brown hair, big hands and a tattoo on his left wrist.
He is also described as wearing a dark woollen hat, baggy dark jeans, a dark fleece, hooded top and spoke with a local accent.
Anyone with any information should contact 0161 856 9262 quoting incident number 0589 of 19/12/2019. Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Attempted child abduction in Trafford
Police investigating an attempted child abduction in Trafford released this e-fit of the suspect.
Between 3.15pm and 3.45pm on January 13 2020 a girl, 14, was walking close to the junction of Norris Road and Derbyshire Road South, Sale.
The girl became aware of a parked dark grey 4x4 vehicle.
The driver, and sole occupant of the car, was still seated when he asked the girl to get in.
She refused and walked away.
In addition to the e-fit, the man is described as white, of pale complexion, around six feet tall, aged 25 to 40. He had long black hair, scraped into a ‘man bun’ or ‘top knot’, held in place by a black bobble, but some hair came down to his shoulders.
He had a slim face with defined cheekbones. He spoke with a Mancunian accent. He was wearing a long-sleeved grey round-neck cotton T shirt with a pocket on the left breast.
No arrests or charges have been made in the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police on 0161 856 7747 quoting incident 2383 of 13/01/20. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
