Abstract: This research presents a robust and precise scheme for detecting faces and locating the facial features in images with complex backgrounds using genetic algorithm. The system is based on visual information of the face from the template image and is commenced with the estimation of the face area in a given image. Facial features, such as eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrow, etc. are then localized from face skeleton with the knowledge of the face geometry. Experimental results demonstrate that this face detector provides successful results for the images of individuals which contain quite a high degree of variability in expression, pose and facial details.