Age-progression images are most frequently used in cases of missing children and long-term fugitives. Computers are used, but it is not a push-button process. The images must be more than studies in the predictable effects of aging, says Glenn Miller, supervisor of NCMEC's Forensic Imaging Unit. The photos need to have that look in the eye or slight twist in the smile that make faces recognizable.

"There is no software that automatically ages anyone," said Miller, a leader in age-progression technology who was recently featured in People magazine. The process begins with the most recent photo of the child and basic Photoshop software. Hallmarks of early growth are added: the lower face and nose are elongated and baby fat is slimmed away. The area around the eyes, one of the most constant and recognizable facial traits according to Miller, is preserved.

Shakeima Cabbagestalk age 9 (left) and age-progressed to 18. She was last seen getting into a car with an unidentified man in Dillon, S.C., in July 1993.

Then the work begins to make that image look as much like the person as possible. "We can come up with a nice looking face but if it does not look like that child then it is useless," said Miller. "The unique identity is very elusive."

Experts rely on family photos to help capture some of these unique qualities. The missing child's photo is superimposed over a photo of a relative at the age the missing child would be. Then, through hours of mouse clicks, the child's juvenile features are slowly morphed into the older features of the family member.

There are only a handful of experts nationwide who age the faces of missing kids. Miller and NCMEC are the leaders, having produced more than 3,000 images in the last decade. Picture cards bearing images and the question "Have you seen me?" are typically sent to some 85 million homes as part of direct advertising mailings. The photos are often displayed in stores and in law enforcement agencies.

Morgan Nick, abducted at a park in Alma, Ark., in June 1995, age-progressed from 5 and 12.

It is tough to establish a direct link between the images and successful recoveries, Miller says, but in 346 cases that age-progression was done, including that of Michael Reichart's daughter, a child was located.

The technique "provides additional hope to searching families," said Miller. "Interest in the case may have waned and along will come one of our age-progressions and it has a tendency to rejuvenate the case."