According to the VOP, one in three American adults has a criminal record (not all have been convicted), so it’s fair to assume some of them have mugshots.

Do you know what else they have? Social media accounts they use to interact with people online. So, how can you find somebody’s mugshot?

ProFaceFinder is the face recognition tool I use to reverse image search mugshots. It hasn’t failed me thus far, and I’d like to share with you how it works!

What Is the ProFaceFinder Mugshot Finder

ProFaceFinder is a reverse image search tool that doubles as a mugshot finder. Run a photo, and the tool will find face matches and sources.

Through facial analysis, ProFaceFinder accurately maps faces (forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, etc.), even if the photo has been altered or AI-generated!

For mugshot reverse searching, I use ProFaceFinder in two ways:

1. Upload a person’s selfie to see if they have any hidden mugshots. I do this to verify if someone I met online, such as on a dating app, is safe.

2. Instead of a selfie, use a mugshot to find info on an arrest. I did this once when I saw a mugshot of a person who looked similar to my Bumble match.

ProFaceFinder is one of the most budget-friendly ways to look up a mugshot because of the pay-per-search pricing model:

• $7.95 for 2 searches
• $11.95 for 5 searches

My favorite part? The process is quick and easy! This is how I use ProFaceFinder to find an arrest mugshot online:

How to Look Up a Mugshot Using ProFaceFinder

First, use a selfie or mugshot that is of as high a quality as possible because reverse image search tools work best with photos that meet the criteria below:

• Decent HD quality
• A face should be in the photo
• Front-facing
• Natural lighting
• Minimal edits, filters, and facial obstructions 

So basically, no pixelated photos or unnatural colors, e.g., black & white. I also stay away from faces with heavy beauty filters, make-up, and facial hair. 

Using Belmont Cameli as an example, the photo on the left is the perfect example of what works best for mugshot reverse image searching.

ProFaceFinder relies on facial clarity to identify the person and find public dating app and social media profiles using the same face.

Tip: If you can, directly download the photo you want to use from the source. Alternatively, screenshot the picture or find the one with the best quality.

Next, go to the ProFaceFinder site, upload the photo (it won’t be saved!), and hit the search button. The results will show up in a few minutes.

How to Interpret Your ProFaceFinder Mugshot Search Results

Check for sources reporting on criminal activity. Scroll down the results page and look for criminal report sources because they typically show mugshots.

• News outlets
• Mugshot/arrest sites
• Police departments’ social media pages
• Official state websites (ending in .gov), etc. 

I usually assess the consistency of the photos and details as well by cross-checking if the name, location, and charge match across sources.

Just remember that not everyone with a mugshot is guilty of the “crime”. Some are proven innocent later on, whereas the rest are charged.

On the other hand, not every arrestee has their mugshot posted online, so analyze their behavior for dangerous signs:

• Secretive; doesn’t answer your questions
• Aggressive speech or actions
• Overly pushy (for sexual or monetary favors)
• Suspiciously low social media activity

Interpreting your mugshot reverse image search results is easy with ProFaceFinder because it compiles the results into a neat report!

How Does ProFaceFinder Compare to Other Mugshot Finder Tools?

Tool	Cost	Mugshot Search Difference
ProFaceFinder	Pay-per-search	Quick face-based mugshot lookup
FaceCheck.ID	Crypto only	Mugshot search, but 50-lookups minimum
PimEyes	Monthly plans	Finds face matches, not mugshot-focused
Social Catfish	Monthly payment	Broader background-style search
Google/Bing/Yandex	Free	Finds only indexed mugshot pages
Mugshot sites	Usually free	Direct databases, but incomplete

Compared to its competitors, reverse image searching mugshots on ProFaceFinder is cheaper, quicker, and more accurate.

I have used alternatives before, and let me show you the key differences between ProFaceFinder and other online mugshot finders. 👇

FaceCheck.ID is a face recognition tool that claims to find mugshots. But you can pay in crypto only (for a minimum of 50 lookups).

The PimEyes face-search engine is also good, but pricier than ProFaceFinder because it forces monthly subscriptions (the cheapest plan is $30).

People-search tools like Social Catfish are expensive because they require monthly payments, unlike ProFaceFinder, which has a pay-per-search model.

The Google, Bing, and Yandex search engines offer free built-in reverse image search features, but the mugshot results are surface-level and not that accurate.

Mugshot/arrest sites have large databases, but they don’t have every single mugshot. Feel free to look at FaceSearch.Arrests, BustedNewspaper.com, and Mugshots.com.

How to Reverse Image Search a Mugshot by State

Whenever I have a bit of information on someone whose mugshot I want to find, I turn to more “concentrated” reverse search tools.

Let’s start off with the broader tools, then narrow our scope:

I use BOP and DOJ for federal inmate searches inside the US, and the results sometimes have the mugshots attached. 

P.S. You can search by name, state, facility, and crime.

VINE provides information on offenders for free. I use it to look up somebody by name and state to check if they have a mugshot.

(Unlike on ProFaceFinder, you can’t upload a selfie and find mugshots on VINE.)

I strongly urge you to investigate online sex offender registries for mugshots as well. If you’re from the US, the NSOPW is probably the best choice.

If you know the precise location you’re searching for a mugshot in, then go to the official website of that state, city, or county. Examples:

• CIRIS (California)
• UtahCounty.gov (Utah)
• AustinTexas.gov
• BPSO
• ChicagoPolice.org 
• BainCountyID.gov, etc.

Note: You can directly request the mugshots from your local police office in person or online (through DOJ, FBI, or your county’s Clerk of Court) – you may have to pay a fee or provide ID, but it’s not the fastest route.

One underrated way of looking up mugshots is on police departments’ social media accounts, like Broward County Mugshot on Facebook.

In case you’ve heard, there is a page that posts “conventionally attractive” mugshots on Instagram, called Mugshawtys. It’s worth checking!

FAQ: The Dos and Don’ts of Reverse Mugshot Searching

1. Does a mugshot prove someone committed a crime? 

No. A mugshot usually means someone was arrested or booked, not convicted. Charges can be dropped, cases can be dismissed, and some people are later proven innocent. 

2. Is ProFaceFinder an official criminal record check? 

No. ProFaceFinder can help you reverse search mugshots on public sources, but it’s not a formal background check. Cross-check the results through official court records, police pages, jail records, or state/federal databases.

3. Why can’t I find someone’s mugshot online? 

That doesn’t automatically mean the person is clean. Their mugshot may not be public, removed, stored only in a local database, or not exist online at all. Some records appear under different names, old locations, or misspellings.

4. Can reverse mugshot search work outside the U.S.? 

Yes, but results are less reliable outside the U.S. because some countries don’t publish mugshots publicly; you need to check the official site of your country or city. Reverse face search may still find news articles, social profiles, scam reports, or reused images.

5. What can I do and not do with a mugshot I find? 

You can compare details, check official sources, and decide whether you want to continue the conversation with that person. But don’t use a mugshot to harass, threaten, shame, blackmail, or publicly accuse someone. And don’t rely on a random mugshot for hiring, renting, screening, or legal decisions.