The description of a person's appearance in forensic practice and investigative research is carried out both arbitrarily and using a special technique.

Definition 1

An arbitrary description is a description given by a witness (eyewitness). To do this, he uses words and expressions that are inherent in everyday speech.

The verbal portrait of criminalistics is considered within the framework of a systematic description, which uses the method of compiling a verbal portrait. A. Bertillon began to develop the basis for such a description at the end of the 19th century. It makes it possible to give a uniform description of the elements of appearance, including the same signs and the same perception of this description. Achieving uniformity occurs with the help of the basic principles of describing the appearance, for which:

• a special (standardized) terminology is used for description, which contributes to the elimination of inconsistencies in the system of signs, ensuring the principle of their uniformity and eliminating inaccuracies. This often helps to prevent errors;
• a certain sequence of description is observed, carried out from the general to the particular (top to bottom). First of all, the characterization of the figure as a whole takes place, and in the future, the specialist can describe some areas of the body (for example, the torso, head, arms and legs, the most obvious signs of anatomical elements), as well as special signs and functional signs;
• provide for the maximum completeness of the description, including all the signs that together make it possible to distinguish a certain person from among those around him;
• a person is described in full face and in the right profile (in some situations in height and from other sides), while special signs can be described on the right or left side of the person’s face;
• a person is described in a normal (standard) head position and appearance;
• highlighting when describing special signs.

Description of the appearance and its components

The verbal portrait method is used in the forensic description of the external appearance of people. It includes a description of the feature (anatomy, functional and associated features). Also in this process, gender, age, nationality are determined, the figure and head are considered as a whole.

The description of the shoulders occurs according to the following features: size (narrow, medium, wide), horizontal position (raised, horizontal, lowered), structural features (higher or lower in relation to each other, very wide or narrow).

The chest, in accordance with the size, can be wide, medium width or narrow, convex or concave in shape. Other signs are the position (protruding, sunken), aspects (the presence of a hump, "bird's chest", etc.).

The back can be wide, medium width or narrow in size, convex, straight or concave along the contour. Its features are also noted (the presence of a hump, the shoulder blades protrude strongly, etc.).

The size of the hands is described in general, they can be short, medium length, long, as well as thin, medium thickness, thick. Hands can be long, short; narrow or wide. There is also a description of the fingers, which can be long, medium length, short, including the shape and size of the nails, their surface (ribbed, convex, flat). Nails can be long or short. The hands have their own characteristics, including calluses, missing fingers or joints, abundant hair on the outer part of the hands, etc.

When describing the legs, they are considered as a whole by size (thin, medium thickness, thick; long, medium length, short). In accordance with the shape, they can be straight, "O"-shaped, "X"-shaped. The size of the foot is characterized by its size (long, medium length, short; narrow, medium width, wide). Among the features, one can single out missing elements (nails, fingers), thickening of the joints and fusion of fingers, etc.

Description of the head in a verbal portrait

The head as a whole has a small, medium or large size. The shape of its parietal part can be flat, dome-shaped, ovoid. Relative to the vertical, the position is evaluated, which can be protruding, vertical or oblique.

Human hair can be described according to abundance (rarity, density), length (long, short, medium length), type (curly, straight, wavy), color (light blond, blond, dark blond, black, red), frontal line (straight, arcuate, wavy, broken).

The description of a person's face is primarily made according to proportions. It can be narrow, medium width, wide. The following features are also considered: the shape of the contour in full face and profile, fullness (full, thin, average), skin color (pink, white, swarthy).

Remark 1

Among the features, one can distinguish the presence of wrinkles, including their severity and depth; beard, mustache, freckles, etc.

As a rule, the description of the forehead begins with determining its size (narrow, medium, wide), contour (straight, convex, wavy). In conclusion, the features are determined (bulge, obliqueness, highly developed frontal tubercles, etc.).

Eyebrows can be described by size, abundance, contour (straight, arched, wavy, broken), position in relation to the horizontal and relative position (beveled inward, outward, close together, apart), features (busy, fused).

The eyes are assessed by the size of the open palpebral fissures (large, small, medium), by the contour of the open palpebral fissures (triangular, slit-like, round, oval), by the position of the eyeballs in the sockets (sunken, convex, medium bulge), by the relative position of the eyes (spread apart close to each other). The eyes are also evaluated for the color of the iris, according to which they can be dark and light brown, greenish, light blue, blue and gray. A description is made of the position of the upper fixed eyelid (whether or not there is an overhang), the upper movable eyelid (closed, open), the length of the eyelashes (long, short, medium), their shape (straight, curved), density (sparse, thick, medium).

Remark 2

Among the features of the eyes: they can be very convex, close together.

Nose: as a whole, the size (narrow, medium width, wide, short, medium length, long), the contour of the back (wavy, concave, straight), the shape of the tip (rounded, blunt, sharp), the position of the base of the nose in relation to the horizontal ( lowered, raised, horizontal), nostril opening size (large, medium, small), nostril opening outline (slit-like, triangular, round, oval), features (curved back, forked tip, closed nostrils).

Mouth: large, medium, small. Along the line of closing of the lips, straight, wavy, broken, according to the position of the angles in relation to the horizontal (raised, lowered, horizontal).

Lips are described by the height of the upper lip (high, medium, low), by the width and contour of the red border (thin, medium thickness, thick; broken, arched, wavy), by protrusion (protruding upper or lower lip, elongation or general protrusion of the lips) , by color (pale, bright).

Evaluation of teeth occurs by size (small, medium, large), by the distance between them (rare, frequent), by the relative position of the lower and upper teeth (protrusion of one or another), by feature (absence of certain or all teeth, blackening and yellowing, the presence and type of prostheses).

Chin: by size (wide, medium, low, medium height, high, narrow), by the contour of the lower outline (rounded, rectangular, triangular), by shape (triangular, convex, rectangular), by vertical position (protruding, oblique, vertical ), according to features (strongly sloping or very protruding, the presence of a fossa or transverse furrow, etc.).

The ear is evaluated by the size of the auricles as a whole (small, medium, large), contour (round, oval, rectangular, triangular), degree of protrusion (general or upper protrusion, general diligence). The shape of the surface of the curl (flat, convex), the size of the lobe (large, medium, small, large), its contours (triangular, round, oval, rectangular), the shape of its surface (flat, convex, crossed) are also described.

Remark 3

Among the individual features of the ear, one can single out its very large or small size, large protrusion.

Neck: according to size it can be short, medium length and thickness, long, thin, thick). Features of the neck include the severity of the cartilage and larynx (the presence of an Adam's apple), the location and severity of wrinkles, etc.

In the future, the verbal portrait contains a description of the functional features of a person's appearance, including accompanying features and elements.

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Forensic identification of a person by signs of appearance

Identification of a person is possible not only by papillary hand patterns, composition of hair, blood, saliva, semen, nails, bone remains, scent substances, traces of lips, teeth, shoes, legs, but also on the basis of a person's appearance, i.e. according to the totality of visually perceived external data. Forensic science also uses the terms "habitology" and "gabitoscopy" which reflect the concepts of science and descriptions of the external appearance of a person.

In order to organize the search for a hidden criminal, as well as to identify an unknown person or a corpse, it is necessary to collect and possibly more fully and accurately record forensically significant signs of his appearance.

The scientific basis for using the description of the external appearance of a person for his identification, first of all, was the established and proven position that when a certain age (about 25 years) is reached, the bone-cartilage base and the appearance of a person stabilize. The scientific forensic basis is a specially developed system for describing a person, for his identification, search, crimes static accounting. Signs of appearance have the following properties: originality, stability, visibility. These signs are divided into two main groups: anatomical (static), characterizing the external structure of the human body, its parts and cover, and functional (dynamic), expressed in habitual, automated movements, the position of the human body (posture, gait, gestures, facial expressions, skills skills, habits). The characteristic of the general physical elements that make up the physical type of a person (sex, age, racial-ethnic and constitutional type) is essential for identification on the basis of appearance.

The external appearance of a person, in addition, is characterized by the so-called special and catchy signs. Special signs are rare congenital or acquired signs during life, which are deviations from the normal structure or condition or condition (anomalies). Moreover, anatomical special signs include physical defects (curvature of the spine, fused fingers, tattoos, etc.), and functional ones include the manner of holding the head, speaking, gesticulation, facial expressions, etc. Catchy signs are those signs that are relatively rare and easily detected, as they are located on exposed parts of the body. For a verbal portrait, accompanying features are also important: a description of clothes, shoes, watches, lighters, rings, glasses and other accessories that a person is used to is constantly used by them.

Signs of appearance have varying degrees of stability. The most stable are anatomical features determined by the bone and cartilage basis (shape and size of the forehead, back of the nose, auricles, etc.). The identification value of any trait depends not only on its stability, but also on the frequency of occurrence (rare traits have a greater identification value). Therefore, the reliability of identification depends on the selected set of compared features and the correct assessment of their identification value.

"Verbal" portrait, order of compilation, forensic significance

To identify a person by external signs, forensic science uses a special system for describing a person's appearance (verbal portrait). This system was first developed A. Bertillon in 1879, published in the brochure "Practical Application of Anthropometry" (1881), and then improved and simplified R. BUT. Reiss in 1911. It is used in forensic registration, to search for hidden criminals and missing persons, in the course of expert identification of living persons and corpses. The description is carried out in a certain sequence (from general to particular, from top to bottom) using special terminology. Anatomical features are described by size, position, size, shape, color; facial features are described in two positions - full face and right profile. The value of the sign is determined in comparison with other parts of the face, body (very large, large, medium, small, very small). Geometric terms are used to describe the shape (straight, convex, concave, oval, etc.). The position of the exterior elements is characterized as horizontal, vertical, oblique internal, raised, lowered, protruding, retracted.

Currently, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has adopted the following system of verbal portrait:

1. Gender (male, female).

2. Age (children - up to 12 years old, adolescent (12-16 years old), youthful (17-21 years old), young (22-35 years old), middle (36-60 years old), elderly (61-75 years old) and senile (76- 90).

3. Height ("dwarf" - up to 1m, low (up to 155cm - for women, up to 65cm - for men), medium (155-165cm - for women and 165-175cm - for men), high (more than 165cm - for women and more than 175 cm - for men), "giant" - more than 2).

4. Physique in terms of skeleton and muscles (weak, medium, stocky, athletic); by body fat (lean, average fatness, full, obese);

5. Face shape in front: in width (round, oval, triangular, rectangular, square, diamond-shaped); in height (elongated, medium, wide); by completeness (thin, average fullness, full); by features - skin defects (pigmentation, streaked, smallpox scars, etc.);

6. Forehead: height (high, medium, low); in width (wide, medium, narrow); in relation to the vertical (contour) (straight, convex, concave); by slope in profile (beveled, vertical, protruding); features (according to the severity of the superciliary arches and the presence of frontal tubercles) - the frontal fossa, a tumor in the frontal and temporal parts.

7. Eyebrows: by length (short, medium, long); in width (narrow, medium, wide); by density (rare, medium, thick); in the direction - horizontal, beveled with the outer ends up, down; along the contour (relative to the edge of the eye orbit) - high, medium, low; features (bushy, fused, asymmetric, etc.);

8. Eyes: according to the position of the palpebral fissure (horizontal, oblique, oblique internal); according to the degree of opening of the palpebral fissure (triangular, slit-like, almond-shaped); according to the degree of convexity of the eyeballs (convex, sunken, normal); by color (blue, gray, greenish, brown, etc.); size (large, medium, small); in shape (round, oval); on the inner corners of the eyes (rounded, pointed); by features (strabismus, cataract, prosthesis); according to anomalies (multicolor, the presence of spots of a different color or a grayish border in the iris).

9. Hoc: by length (long, medium, short); height (long, medium, short); by the depth and width of the nose bridge (large, medium, small); in width (wide, medium, narrow); on performance(large, medium); according to the position of the base of the nose (horizontal, lowered, raised); according to the shape of the tip of the nose (rounded, pointed); according to the position of the wings of the nose (raised, lowered, average), along the contour of the nostrils (oval, triangular, slit-like); according to the size of the nostrils (large medium, small); by features (very narrow (wide), excessive speech, congenital curvature, nose shade (reddish, bluish, etc.);

10. Lips: by thickness (thick, medium, thin); by position (protruding, retracted (one upper, one lower), no protrusion); according to the width of the border of the lips (large, medium, small); along the contour of the border of the upper lip (straight, sinuous, oval); by features (the presence of a "cleft lip", invertedness upper lip, chapped); by shades of lips (bluish, pale, red, etc.);

11 Mouth; size (large, medium, small); according to the position of the corners of the mouth (horizontal, raised lowered); by features (mouth ajar, sunken, asymmetry of the corners of the mouth, etc.);

12. Chin: height (high, medium, low); in width (wide, medium, narrow); by position (straight, protruding, beveled); in shape (along the contour of the lower edge) - oval, triangular, square; by features (presence of a fossa, bifurcation, transverse furrow, "double" chin, pendulous, etc.);

13. Auricle: in size (large, medium, small); in shape (rectangular, triangular, round, oval); fit (protrusion)- upper, lower, general; by features (asymmetry in size, shape);

Lobe: by size (large, medium, small); in shape (rounded, triangular, oval, rectangular); by features (lobe fused with the cheek; the presence of a transverse or longitudinal fold, pierced). Antitragus- horizontal, beveled; straight, concave, convex. Curl (outer edge of the ear) and antihelix(inner part) may have a characteristic shape and position. The diversity and stability of the anatomical features of the structure of the auricle increases its info mative and identification value. In addition, it should be noted that this detail, as a rule, is visible and well viewed from the side, which does not arouse the suspect's alertness if he is seen in a crowd or among a large number of people in the hall.

14. Coloring of the skin of the face (pink, gray, bluish, etc.);

15. Wrinkles (number, position, direction, shape);

16. Head hair: by length (short, medium length, long); in shape (wavy, curly, curly); by density (thick, medium density, rare); by color (black, dark blond, blond, light blond, red); along the contour of the growth line (straight, arcuate, winding, broken); by the nature of the hairstyle (low, high haircut, combed (back, right, left), location of the parting (straight, left, right), by the degree and localization of baldness (general, on the crown, on the back of the head, temples, etc.); the presence of a mustache, beard, sideburns (shape, size, color, haircut style);

17. Teeth: by size (large, medium, small); by shape (contour - even, sinuous; by the color of tooth enamel (white, yellow, blackened); by features (absence, damage, the presence of prostheses, fillings, crowns; rare, crooked teeth, etc.);

18. Neck: height, thickness, features;

19. Shoulders: width, slope;

20. Torso: chest width, back contour;

21. Arms: total length and width; Brush: length and width; Fingers: length, thickness, features;

22. Legs: total length and width; Foot: length, width, features;

23. Skin signs (scars, birthmarks, tumors, tattoos, calluses, professional staining of individual skin areas): position, shape, size, color;

Functional (dynamic) features:

24. Posture (usual position): torso, head, arms;

25. Gait: pace of movement, positioning of the legs during movement, step length, step angle, features;

26. The way to perform certain actions;

30. Speech: pace, emotional expression of feelings, intelligibility, pronunciation defects, accent, vocabulary;

Accessories:

31 Clothing: name, material, color, style, finish, size, brand, degree of wear, damage, conformity of the size to the person's height, wearing habit.

The description of individual objects - personal belongings, should be as detailed as possible, since in certain cases they can play the role of catchy signs.

Preparation of materials for expert identification of a person from photographs

A forensic photo-portrait examination is carried out in order to identify a person by signs of appearance captured in photographs. The success of expert identification based on photographs largely depends on the thoroughness of the preparation of the material submitted for the study. Examination requires high-quality images of faces photographed with a small gap in time and approximately in the same conditions (person's posture, lighting, state of individual elements of appearance), i.e. the images being compared must be comparable.

The question is usually raised about the permission of a photo-portrait examination; the same or different faces are depicted in the photographs.

Photo-portrait examination is carried out using the following methods.

1. Comparative method (comparison, combination, overlay),

Image comparison - oriented square grids are applied to face images, and the identified features on the compared images should not only match in shape, size and position, but also be placed in the same squares.

Combination (montage) of images - the compared image is brought to the same size, then they are cut along the medial line of the face and the right half of one image is combined with the left half of the other.

Overlay - on the screen (TV, projector) produce a combination and overlay of images in different lighting conditions.

2. Measuring method - angular values ​​are measured between the anatomical points of the compared faces.

3. Graphical method - on the compared images, the most characteristic features of the same name are determined, which are then connected by straight lines, forming triangles, rhombuses, trapezoids and other geometric shapes that should be similar (equal) on the compared images.

Identification of a person by skull and intravital photograph produced using method photo applications- the image of the skull is imprinted in the photograph of the wanted person.

Questions to prepare for the current control on the topic

• What is forensic gabitoscopy.
• Who are the subjects of application of data on appearance.
• How is a person's appearance determined?
• How are the signs of a person's appearance classified?
• Verbal portrait and rules for its compilation.
• Portrait examination.
• Rules for drawing up a subjective portrait.

Word portrait- a method for describing the appearance of a person (most often a criminal) based on an algorithm for describing a standardized set of characteristics.

The verbal portrait technique was proposed at the end of the 19th century by Alphonse Bertillon.

Rules for describing a person's appearance

An ordered description is carried out according to the rules developed by forensic science for describing a person's appearance. They are based on such fundamental provisions as the systematic reflection of signs, i.e. a consistent description of all groups of signs of a person’s appearance developed by forensics (general physical, signs of the structure of individual elements of appearance, functional, etc.), the completeness of their description (reflection of the greatest possible number of signs of a person’s appearance), the use of a single terminology, and are as follows.

1. In the course of compiling an ordered description, the following are consistently reflected:

• anatomical signs of a person's appearance: gender, age, nationality, height, physique, as well as signs of the structure of individual elements of a person's appearance, for example: when describing the head, its height (medium, large or small), shape (rounded, domed, keeled, etc.) are described, features are noted, etc.;
• functional signs such as posture, gait, gestures, etc.,
• related features, for example: clothing, accessories, etc.;
• special signs, for example: the presence of a hump, the constant wearing of a wig, etc.

2. Any of the elements of appearance is described according to the following scheme: from general to particular and from top to bottom, for example: when describing a face, first the characteristics of the face as a whole are given (general configuration, fullness, facial features in general), then signs of the scalp are noted ( hair length, hairline, density, appearance, etc.), then the features characterizing the forehead, eyebrows, eyes, etc. are successively described.

3. In the description, if necessary, the names of geometric lines (straight, curved, etc.) and shapes (oval, rectangular, etc.) are used.

4. The dimensions of the described elements must be considered and described in relation to other external elements and characterized by width, length, height, depth, quantity, etc.

5. The relative position of the elements of the exterior, their position is determined relative to the vertical or horizontal planes of the body (vertical, inclined, horizontal, etc.).

6. When describing the color of eyes, hair and other anatomical features of a person's appearance (pigmented and birthmarks, moles, acne, etc.), as well as related signs, coloristic (color) terminology is used, for example: red acne, black eyebrows, redheads hair, black pants, etc.

7. In the description, common concepts and terms generally accepted in the verbal portrait method are used. Significant assistance in this can be provided by the classification of anatomical and general physical elements of the signs of a person's appearance with a unified terminology of a verbal portrait, developed by specialists from the All-Russian Research Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR.

8. Elements of appearance are reflected in the foreshortenings of the front view (full face) and side view (right profile), in the position of a person standing to his full height, with calm features, a look directed forward.

In accordance with these rules and taking into account the features of the description of the identified signs, a verbal portrait of a person is compiled.

Features of describing a person's appearance using the method of verbal portrait

Description of the anatomical features of a person's appearance

Floor: male, female.

Age. Determined by documents, if their authenticity is not in doubt; in their absence or inaccessibility - “in appearance”, which is necessarily reflected in the description or according to the results of the survey.

Nationality. It is indicated “in appearance”, for example, similar to an Uzbek, Azerbaijani, etc., or on the basis of documents reflecting the citizenship of this person (passport, etc.). Belonging to a particular race can also be indicated, which is also determined “in appearance” (Negroid, Mongoloid, etc.).

Growth. If possible, it is indicated in absolute numbers, for example, when describing a corpse, in other cases - in relative ones, for example: about seventy meters. A person's height is measured from the highest point of the crown of the head to the soles of the bare feet. When describing, the following terms can be used: very low (less than 150 cm), very high (more than 190 cm).

Body type. It is determined by the degree of development of the human musculoskeletal system, taking into account the fat layer and is characterized as thin, dense, stocky, athletic, etc.

Rice. 1. Shapes of the head. (a - rectangular; b - rhomboid; c - keeled; d - trapezoid)

Rice. 5. Eye (1 - eyebrow, 2 - upper eyelid, 3 - outer corner of the eye, 4, 8 - albuginea, 5 - lower eyelid, 6 - pupil, 7 - eyelashes, 9 - inner corner of the eye, 10 - lacrimal caruncle, 11 - eyelashes, 12 - iris)

Rice. 2. Shapes of the face (a - oval; b - round; c - rectangular; d - triangular; e - diamond-shaped)

Rice. 6. Nose (1. Bridge, 2. Back, 3. Tip, 4. Base, 5. Wings, 6. Nostril)

Rice. 3. Mustache (a - high position; b - medium position; c - low position)

Rice. 4. Forehead. (a - vertical; b - oblique; c - tilted forward; d - high; e - medium; e - low)

Rice. 7. Lips (a - thin; b - medium; c - thick)

Fig.8. Ear. 1 - tubercle (Darwin), 2 - curl, 3 - antihelix, 4 - ear cavity, 5 - antitragus, 6 - lobe, 7 - external auditory canal, 8 - tragus

Rice. 9. Wrinkles

Hair cover. In general, it is characterized by such common features as stiffness (hard, soft), density (may be noted as thick or sparse in different parts of the body and on the head), shape (determined by the type of bending of the hair shafts, as straight, wavy, curly, curly) , color (most often described by widely used terms - dark-haired (brunette), fair-haired (blond), dark blond (brown-haired), and features can also be noted - gray-haired, gray-haired, dyed, etc.

Leather. It is described by appearance (the relief allows you to define it as smooth, matte, wrinkled, porous, veined, etc.), condition (clean, dirty, acne, pimply, etc.), color (pink, dark, gray, yellow, etc.) and features (presence of warts, age spots, freckles, etc.).

Head. It is described by height (relative to a person's height - small, medium, large) and shape (according to the silhouette - rounded, domed, ovoid, keeled, flattened); if available, features may be noted, expressed in significant deviations from the extreme values ​​of the indicated signs (see Fig. 1).

Face. Can be characterized by configuration (round, oval, triangular, square, etc.), fullness (thin, full, puffy), height and width (medium, narrow, wide), facial features in general (medium, large, small ) (see Fig. 2).

Hairstyle. It is described by the length of the hair (medium - in men over 2 cm, in women the hair covers the neck; long - in men the hair covers the neck, in women - below the shoulders; short - in men - up to 2 cm, in women - do not cover the neck), hairline (arched, curvy, angular, asymmetrical, etc.), hair density (thick, sparse, etc.), type of hair (combed, uncombed, oily, dandruff, etc.) and the presence features (tinted, bleached, wig, hairpiece, etc.).

Vegetation on the face. In men, the presence of sideburns, mustaches, beards, stubble can be noted (at the same time, their shape, size, color, density, etc. are described), and in women, excessive hair growth above the upper lip and on the chin (see Fig. 3 ).

Wrinkles and folds in the skin. Their contour is noted (straight, arcuate, etc.), depth (according to the relief - deep or shallow), length (in length relative to the element of the face on which they are located, they can be described as long, short and medium), location - frontal, interbrow, external or internal orbital and other wrinkles, cheek, chin and other folds, relative position and number (single, multiple, double, etc.) (see Fig. 9).

Forehead. Its shape is described (flat, convex, sinuous, etc.), height (determined relative to the height of the face, as high, medium and low), width, frontal tubercles, superciliary arches, features, i.e. deviations of the forehead structure from the norm, such as the oblique frontal bone, the presence of a tumor, the absence of superciliary ridges, etc. (see Fig. 4).

Brows. When describing them, their contour is noted (straight, arcuate, sinuous, broken, etc.), length (determined relative to the length of the palpebral fissure), density, color, features (asymmetric, bushy, plucked, drawn, tinted, etc. ).

Eyes. Among the signs of the eyes, the following stand out: the structure of the palpebral fissure (almond-shaped, oval, round, slit-like, etc.), the color of the iris (dark and light of different colors), features (various anomalies and pathological changes - widely spaced, asymmetric, oblique, multi-colored, reddened, with a thorn, cataract, etc.) and other signs (see Fig. 5).

Eyelashes. Their severity (thick, long or short, rare) and features (colorless, elongated, fluffy, painted, etc.) are noted.

eyelids. They are described by their position (medium, asymmetric, etc.), the shape and severity of the undereye bags (convex, folded, strongly pronounced, etc.), features (cosmetic design, sagging of the folds of the upper or lower eyelid, etc.). ).

Cheekbones and cheeks. The degree of their protrusion forward, the shape and features of the cheeks (plump, sagging, streaked, tinted, etc.) are noted.

Nose. Its individual elements are considered - the bridge of the nose, the back of the nose, the base of the nose, its tip, the wings of the nose, the nostrils, the nasal septum, the nasolabial notch, according to the following features: size, size, width, contour, features, and others (see Fig. 6).

Mouth, lips, teeth. It is important to describe the size, contour, position of the corners of the mouth, the border of the lips, their features, the size and contour of the dentition, the type of bite, defects in the teeth, the color of the enamel and other signs (see Fig. 7).

Chin. Described by height, width, protrusion, contour, and features (wrinkled, forked, dimpled, pendulous, etc.).

Ear shells. The signs that distinguish the auricles are of particular identification value: size, position, protrusion, shape and contour, as well as signs of its private elements, such as a curl, antihelix, tragus, antitragus, intertragus notch and lobe. At the same time, the features of these signs, described taking into account atypical manifestations, are of the greatest importance (see Fig. 8).

Neck. It is described by height (its visible part is determined from the chin to the shoulders in relation to the height of the face and can be characterized as medium, long or short), thickness (it is also determined from the front according to the ratio of its visible area to the width of the lower part of the face as thick, medium and thin ), position (in profile, it is determined by the degree of deviation of the visible part of the neck from the vertical position and is characterized as straight, tilted forward or tilted back), type of skin surface (smooth, folded, fatty, muscular, etc.), features (it is noted for example "the presence of Adam's apple, goiter, etc.).

Shoulders. When describing them, the width is noted, which is determined by the ratio of the width of the shoulders and the pelvis, which is most noticeable when viewed from the front, and can be characterized as narrow, medium and wide, as well as their position relative to the horizontal (straight, lowered, raised) and features, i.e. e. noticeable deviations from the criteria noted above, or skewedness, excessive thinness, roundness, etc.

Torso. In general, it is described by length (determined by the distance from the base of the neck to the pubis and is characterized as medium - approximately equal to the length of the leg, long - noticeably exceeding the length of the leg, short) and structural features, which can be noted as values ​​that differ significantly from those indicated above and described as huge, small, skewed.

Breast. The shape can be noted (when viewed in profile, a convexity or hollowness of the chest is noticeable, in contrast to the flat one that is most common), width (considered relative to the width of the pelvis) and features (strong protrusion of the muscles, mammary glands, pathological deformities of the chest, etc. .).

Stomach. The protrusion of this part of the body relative to the plane of the chest can be described as medium, large, small. Additionally, the abdomen can be characterized as pendulous, muscular, smooth, etc.

Back. The shape, contour or features of the back are also noticeable features that characterize a person's appearance. In this case, the shape of the back can be convex, i.e. stooped or flat. The contour of the back is determined by the similarity with such geometric shapes as a trapezoid, a rectangle, a cone. The presence of a hump, strongly protruding shoulder blades, a noticeable curvature of the spine should be noted as features.

Waist. Can be described by length (long or short), width (medium, wide, narrow), position (high or low) and features (swollen, wasp, etc.).

Taz. It is determined by its greatest width at the level of the hip joints and can be characterized as medium, wide, narrow, as well as female (in men, if the pelvis is wider than the shoulders), male (in women, if the pelvis is narrower than the shoulders).

Arms. Described by length (medium, long, short), thickness (thin, very thin, thick, very thick) and features characterized as muscular, bony, sinewy, paralyzed, atrophied, etc. Defects such as the absence of a hand or part of it, shortening of the hand, the presence of a prosthesis, etc., may be noted.

Brushes. Its length is measured from the wrist to the end of the middle finger and can be marked as medium, long and short in relation to the length of the forearm. The width of the hand is determined by the ratio of its length (excluding the length of the fingers) to the width of the palm. It also describes the features that are the unusual structure of the hand (noticeably distinguished in size - large, too small in size - small, resembling a triangle, quadrangle, etc.) or defects (absence of the hand, paralysis, curvature), as well as the presence of tattoos, calluses, scars, etc.

Fingers. When describing them, the length is noted, which is determined by the ratio of the length of the middle finger to the length of the brush (medium, long and short); thickness (their extreme values ​​are described, for example: very thin or very thick fingers) and structural features. The latter can be characterized as curved, thickened, knotty, hairy, tattooed, etc.; the presence of corns, scars, the absence of fingers or phalanges, etc. may be noted.

Nails. They can be characterized according to their different features: shape - the curvature of the nail plate (convex and flat), relief - the appearance of its surface (smooth and ribbed), contour - the outlines of the nail (almond-shaped, rounded, rectangular, etc.), length and width nail plate, color (opaque white, pink, yellowish, brownish, etc.), the size of the free edge - protrusion, and features - the presence of defects, unusual structure or condition (underdevelopment of nails, absence of part of the nail, curvature of the nail (nails) , very long, very short, stratified, ingrown, broken off or bitten, with a manicure, with a pedicure (on the legs), etc.).

Legs. As an element of a person's appearance, they are a noticeable part of it. According to the contour of the inner sides of the legs, their shape is determined (O-shaped, X-shaped, straight), in relation to the leg to the length of the body - the length, thickness of the legs is described in the case when they can be characterized as very thin or very thick. Describing the features of the structure of the legs, muscle development, type of skin or defects, the following characteristics can be given to this: muscular, bony, hairy, with tattoos, etc., the presence of a prosthesis, paralysis of the legs (legs), absence of a leg, shortening or thickening can also be noted some part of it, etc.

When identifying, other anatomical features of individual elements of a person's appearance can also be described.

Description of the functional features of a person's appearance

Posture. When describing this sign, it is necessary to reflect the habitual position of the head and body of a person. In this case, the head can be tilted to the right or left, or thrown back, drawn into the shoulders. Posture can be characterized as stooped, straight, hunched over, etc.

Gait. It is described by step size (long, short), step width (wide or narrow spacing of the feet, their setting when walking - noses inward, parallel or outward), pace (slow, fast), type (soft, heavy, minced, waddling, etc.). .d.). Features of the gait (limping, dragging the leg, shuffling of the legs, etc.), the position of the hands (waving the arms, etc.) when walking are also reflected in the description.

Gesticulation. There are features of the movement of the hands (picking the rosary, the edge of clothing, a handkerchief) or legs (stomping the heel of the foot or tapping the toe of the foot, etc.) that accompany the speech of a person or the expression of any feelings by him.

Mimic. When describing it, the most familiar and most vivid way of expressing certain feelings with the facial muscles of the face (smirk, pursing of the lips, squinting of the eyes, etc.) is reflected, as well as manifestations of facial expressions caused by certain diseases (for example, tick).

Speech. When describing it, the speaker's vocabulary, style, diction, physical defects of the speaker (nasal, lisp, burr, stuttering, etc.), dialect (okanye or akanye, etc.), knowledge of foreign languages, musical abilities, use of slang words are noted etc.

Other identified functional features of a person's external appearance, for example, articulation, habits, etc., may also have significant identification value.

Description of accompanying signs of a person's appearance

Clothing. When describing clothing, it is necessary to indicate the signs that arose during its manufacture, as well as during use. Signs of manufacture are, for example: type, style, purpose of clothing, size, color, quality of material, type of fasteners, additional finishing, etc. When wearing clothes, there are signs that characterize the degree of wear: abrasions, tears, changes in the original color, traces of repair, etc. alterations, as well as dirt stains, stable folds, creases, marks, etc.

Shoes. Shoes have features similar to clothes and are described according to the same criteria.

Accessories. First of all, these are items that are worn by their owners not constantly, but with varying degrees of frequency - umbrellas, bags, mobile phones, belts, jewelry, watches, rosaries, etc. Nevertheless, the identification significance of these features is significant, because to. sometimes, in addition to supplementing the external appearance of their owner, identifying individual personality traits, they can also establish other circumstances of the crime event or the conditions for the disappearance of the wanted person, etc.

Description of special and catchy signs

Special and catchy signs are the most important identification features, and therefore must be characterized in detail and carefully described. These can be scars, tattoos, birthmarks, congenital and acquired deformities of certain parts of the body, that is, these are relatively rare signs that are visually easy to detect. When describing, it is important to note their location, color, size, shape, content (tattoos), severity, etc.

When verbally fixing the signs of appearance, they are guided by special rules included in the "verbal portrait".

Verbal portrait - this is a forensic method of describing a person's appearance using common terms, carried out according to a certain system for the purpose of criminal registration, search and identification of living persons and corpses.

Principles of the verbal portrait method:

1. 1. consistency (determines the sequence (order) of the description);
   2. completeness (provides a detailed description).

Method for describing the signs of a person's appearance

1. Signs are fixed that characterize:

• • general physical elements of appearance: gender, age, nationality (anthropological type), height, physique;
  • anatomical features of individual areas of the body and elements;
  • functional features of related items.

2. The description of the signs of appearance is carried out according to the scheme "from general to particular" and "top - down":

• • overall figure,
  • head as a whole
  • face in general
  • separate elements of the face,
  • neck, shoulders, back, chest,
  • hands-legs.

3. Each of the anatomical elements is characterized by

• • form,
  • size,
  • position,
  • some are in color.

3.1. When describing the form, the name of geometric shapes (round, oval, rectangular, triangular, etc.) or geometric lines (straight, convex, winding, etc.) is used.

3.2. The description of the dimensions of the elements is given not in absolute terms, but in relation to other elements of the exterior. At the same time, its height, length, width, quantity, etc. are characterized. The gradation of values ​​is most often three-term: large, medium, small. Five-membered can also be used, with the addition of: very large and very small. With a seven-term gradation, they add: "above average", "below average". If there are doubts about the size characteristic, then it is indicated in two values: "medium-small", "large-medium".

3.3. The position of the element is determined relative to the vertical and horizontal planes of the body (horizontal, inclined, beveled inward, etc.), as well as by mutual position (fused, separate).

3.4. Characterized by color (black, dark blond, light blond, blond, red, gray); eyes (black, brown, grey, etc.) and sometimes skin color (very red, yellow, bluish-red nose, birthmark color, etc.).

4. For the description, uniform terms accepted in the verbal portrait should be used. excluding discrepancy and ambiguity.

5. Anatomical features are described in relation to two angles:

• • front view (full face);
  • side view (profile).

In this case, the head should be in a "normal" position, when the horizontal line passes through the bridge of the nose, the outer corner of the eye and the upper third of the auricle (the so-called French anthropological horizontal). The muscles of the face should be in a calm state (without a smile, facial expressions, grimace), there should be no cosmetics, hair removed from the forehead and ears, glasses and a headdress removed (their description is given in the accompanying signs).

Scheme for describing external features using the "verbal portrait" method

Elements and features of the face in front: 1a. Anthropometric points of the face: A - upper frontal, B - glabella, C - upper nasal, D - pupillary, D - nasal, E - chin, G - mandibular. 1 - forehead height, 2 - forehead width, 3 - eyebrow position line, 4 - palpebral fissure position line, 5 - pupillary line, 6 - palpebral fissure length, 7 - nasal bridge width, 8 - nose height (nasal part of the face), 9 - width of the nose, 10 - height of the upper lip, 11 - length of the oral fissure, 12 - height of the chin, 13 - protrusion of the auricle, 14 - height of the auricle, 15 - axial (medial) line. 1 - hairline, 2 - areas of the frontal tubercles, 3 - areas of the superciliary arches, 4 - heads of the eyebrows, 5 - contours of the eyebrows, b - tails of the eyebrows, 7 - inner corners of the eyes, 8 - outer corners of the eyes, 9 - contours of the folds of the upper eyelid, 10 - nasolabial filter, 11 - contour of the border of the upper lip, 12 - contour of the border of the lower lip, 13 - contour of the chin, 14 - contour of the curl, 15 - contour of the antihelix, 16 - contour of the tragus.

Description of anatomical features

Floor: male, female.

Age. Installed:

1. 1. according to documents, if they are not in doubt;
   2. "in appearance" (indicating this circumstance and within certain limits: in appearance 25-30 years old, in appearance 50-60 years old, etc.);
   3. according to medical or forensic medical examination.

Nationality (type of person). In the absence of documents and other reliable information confirming the nationality of a person, it is permissible to determine the type of person. This can be an anthropological type of appearance characteristic of a particular race (Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid, etc.) or a comparative definition of the type in relation to our country: European type, Caucasian, Central Asian, Mongolian, etc.

Overall figure

Growth is most often determined by a three-term gradation:

• low (for men up to 160 cm),
• medium (for men from 160 cm to 170 cm),
• high (for men over 170 cm).

Permissible characteristic: very low, very high. If data of anthropometric measurements are available or can be obtained (medical record, etc.), then the height is indicated in absolute terms.

For women, these figures apply for each category 10 cm less.

The physique is characterized depending on the development of the musculoskeletal system and the degree of body fat. There are physique: weak, very weak, medium, stocky, athletic.

According to the degree of fatness, a person can be characterized by the following features: thin, thin, average fatness, full (features - very thin, very full - "fat").

Description of functional features

Posture - the usual position of the torso and head (the usual posture of a person). At the same time, the position of the head relative to the body is noted (deflected to the right or left shoulder, tilted forward, thrown back), as well as the position of the body in relation to the vertical (back is straight, stooped, hunched).

Gait - a set of habitual automatic movements when walking as a manifestation of a certain dynamic stereotype formed in a person. This circumstance determines the constancy of such elements of gait as step length (left, right), step width, step angle, turn angle, and feet. Therefore, when describing the gait, the step size (long, short) is noted. Step width (narrow or short spacing of the feet, setting of the feet when walking (toes out, toes in, parallel), pace (fast, slow), appearance (gait is soft, heavy, staggering, waggling, bouncing, mincing, wobbling). also lameness, dragging the leg, the position of the arms when walking (waving the arms, hands in the pockets, laid behind) The gait can change under the influence of diseases of the legs, the nervous system, and past head injuries.

Gesticulation is a complex of movements of the hands, shoulders (sometimes the head) of a person with which he accompanies his speech in order to give it more expressiveness. When describing gestures, its tempo (fast, slow), expressiveness (live, energetic, sluggish), the nature of gestures and their content (indicative, pictorial, etc.) are recorded.

Mimicry is the movement of muscles and facial elements that change its expression depending on the emotional state of a person or his desire. It can be very developed or unimpressive. Usually, the most pronounced and familiar facial expressions are noted (raising the eyebrows, biting the lips, winks, etc.).

Speech - in relation to it, both data related to speech itself and data of the speech mechanism are characterized. In the first case, the languages ​​spoken by a person are noted, and which of them is native to him, dialect or adverb, accent, pronunciation features, construction of phrases, use of slang words, clogged speech (“here”, “you understand”, etc.) .).

In a relationship speech mechanism note the pace (slow, fast), character (speech is calm, excited), features of speech (burr, lisp, nasal, etc.). The voice is characterized by timbre (bass, baritone, tenor, alto, treble), strength (weak, medium, strong) and purity (clear, hoarse, deaf, hoarse).

Manners (habits) of behavior are formed in the process of human life and are expressed in the monotonous (usually automatic, uncontrolled) performance of certain actions (rubbing the palms, stroking the head, mustache, stepping from foot to foot, lighting, greeting, etc.).

Description of related elements and their features

This description refers to clothing, footwear, headgear and items that. usually a person has with him (glasses, a ring, chains, a pendant, etc.) With regard to clothing, its name is noted (jacket, raincoat, jacket, etc.), type (civilian, sports, military, uniform, etc.). etc.), style and cut (single-breasted jacket, raglan coat, earflap hat, etc.), color, pattern, material, clothing condition, performance characteristics. Other related items are described in a similar way.

Signs of a person's appearance are divided into two main groups:

1) anatomical (static), characterizing the features of the anatomical structure of a person. These signs determine sex, age, height, physique, anthropological features of appearance, structure of the body, head, face and its elements;

2) functional (dynamic), the physiological basis of which is conditioned reflex processes, accompanied by the emergence of a dynamic stereotype of human movement. These are habitual, automated movements and positions of a person and his individual parts (posture, gait, facial expressions, etc.).

The use of anatomical and functional features of appearance for identifying a person is determined by the relative stability of the features, which is determined by the constancy of the bone and cartilage basis of the human body. Age-related or painful changes do not have significant practical significance. Deliberate changes in anatomical features with the help of plastic surgery do not go unnoticed and are easily detected during examination.

Functional signs of appearance are less reliable, they can be easily changed (for example, a person, having made a little effort on himself, can change his gait, change his gestures, etc.). But it is impossible to completely change the functional characteristics inherent in a given person, they are as stable as they are unique.

A verbal portrait is a forensic method of describing a person's appearance using common terms, carried out according to a certain system for the purpose of criminal registration, search and identification of living persons and corpses.

Identification of a person by signs of appearance using the method of verbal portrait can be carried out by:

1) presentation for identification;

2) direct comparison of his appearance with a photographic portrait;

3) direct comparison of his appearance with the existing verbal portrait;

4) comparison of a verbal portrait with a photographic image.

Forensic science has developed the basic rules for describing appearance using the verbal portrait method:

1) the maximum completeness of the description of a person's appearance. Compliance with this rule is due to the fact that during the compilation of a verbal portrait it is still unknown which of the signs will be the main ones in the search;

2) sequence of description (from general to particular). First, general physical signs are indicated - gender, age, then anatomical signs are described - the figure as a whole, neck, shoulders, chest, back, head (face);

3) description using special terminology. This is necessary to ensure a uniform understanding of the information received. Sources of information are divided into:

1) subjective - these are mental images preserved in the memory of a person, according to which he can give a description of external signs, identify a criminal, etc.;

2) objective - these are photographs, casts-masks from the deceased, x-rays and video materials.

The verbal portrait is widely used in operational-search, investigative and expert practice, is used mainly for identification and criminal registration purposes, helps investigators and operatives in the search for missing persons, in identifying a corpse, in identifying suspects, accused, witnesses, victims and fugitives in hiding.

When searching for hidden criminals and missing persons, the verbal portrait technique is used to prepare search requirements with a detailed description of the signs of the appearance of the wanted persons, the characteristics of "special signs" and "catchy signs", which makes it possible for persons carrying out the search to create and firmly retain in their memory a mental wanted image.

Some of the important signs of appearance (mustache, beard, clothes, shoes, etc.) can be easily changed. Therefore, search activities using the verbal portrait technique should be carried out quickly and efficiently. Sources of information about the signs of the wanted person's appearance may be materials of criminal registration, archival materials and personal files, photographs, data obtained as a result of interrogation, personal observation, inspection of the scene. A "verbal portrait" of an absconded criminal whose identity has not been established is compiled, as a rule, according to the testimonies of the victims and eyewitnesses, as well as according to the data obtained during the analysis of the circumstances of the crime. The study of traces and other material evidence found at the scene of the incident sometimes makes it possible to obtain information about the appearance of the offender, his physical characteristics. The most valuable in this regard are the "path" of footprints, traces of hands, teeth, hacking tools, and some other traces and objects. They sometimes make it possible to judge the growth, gender, physique, physical defects of the offender. For example, by fingerprints and their location, you can determine the approximate height of the offender, by the size of the hole through which he entered the scene, his physique.

When registering unidentified corpses and missing persons, physical features are described in as much detail as possible on registration cards used for identification purposes.

When registering persons held in custody, signs of appearance are also described according to the rules of a “verbal portrait”. This description, along with identification photographs, is an essential addition to the surname (alphabetical) registration of persons who committed the crime.

The method of "verbal portrait" to a certain extent determines the rules of signaletic (identification) photography. It requires an image in the front and the right profile with an open, hair-free auricle, a strictly vertical position of the head, and clarity of the photographic image. Portrait shooting in front and profile is designed to use the method of “verbal portrait” when identifying a person from identification photographs, to have an additional opportunity to compare the appearance signs displayed in the photograph with their “verbal portrait”.

"Verbal portrait" is also used in the development and application of the method of combined portraits - "identikit", "isorobot". It is known that the reproduction by the interrogated of the signs of the appearance of this or that person observed by him is facilitated if the recollection is supplemented by another, simpler form of reproduction - recognition. So, if you show the interrogated photographs (or drawings) depicting several variants of the same facial features, then the interrogated person, as a rule, accurately indicates the option that most closely matches the appearance of the person whose identity is being clarified during this interrogation. This psychological pattern, combined with the method of "verbal portrait" and underlies the method of combined portraits. In order, according to the testimony of a witness, victim or accused, to create (mount) a portrait of the person he saw, the interrogated person is shown photographs or drawings depicting the main types of structure of the head, forehead, eyes, nose, lips, chin, auricle, neck, shoulders, etc. e. The interrogated person chooses the option that best matches the appearance of the person being sought. The same is done for his headdress, glasses, tie and other things. Photographs or drawings of various variants of these items are also presented to the interrogated person. When the selection of appropriate photographs or drawings of various parts of the face and wearable items is completed, these details are assembled in order to obtain a composite (combined) portrait of the desired person. After editing, the portrait is shown to the interrogated person and, if necessary, corrections are made in accordance with his remarks. The final edited portrait is reproduced and sent to the relevant authorities for use in the search for the escaped criminal.

When interrogating about the signs of the appearance of a person, the “verbal portrait” technique helps to obtain more accurate and detailed testimony. Typically, interrogators give a superficial description of a person's appearance even if they have seen him many times. At the same time, only height, general physique, hair color, individual signs of clothing and some other “catchy signs” are most often mentioned. Using the method of "verbal portrait", the investigator can help the interrogated to describe in more detail the signs of appearance, to dismember the holistic mental image of the described, to highlight the most characteristic features, to clarify and detail individual signs. Leading questions are dangerous in these cases. Taking into account the psychological patterns of perception and memory, it is necessary, by activating associative processes, posing additional clarifying questions, to help the interrogated to describe the signs of appearance in detail and accurately. It is advisable to adhere to the terminology of the "verbal portrait". However, if the interrogated person is unfamiliar with this terminology and uses other names for features of appearance, they should be kept in the description, since replacing these names with special terms can lead to distortion of testimony.