The most common and accessible method of fixing the signs of a person's appearance is the compilation of his verbal description, which can be fixed both in writing and with the help of sound recording. A description drawn up for the purpose of identifying a person on the basis of his appearance and establishing his identity is usually called a forensic description.

A forensic description of a person's appearance is compiled during his direct observation in the course of operational-search activities (mainly for registration purposes, as well as to fix the signs of the appearance of the observed person); conducting investigative actions (identification, examination, inspection); indirect study in the process of operational-search activity (when fixing data on the appearance of an escaped criminal, a missing person from words, that is, from the memory of people who knew or saw the wanted person); production of a forensic portrait examination.

Thus, the description can be carried out with direct observation of a person (from nature), as well as from the words of an eyewitness. At the same time, the eyewitness reproduces in verbal form his idea of ​​​​this person, that is, from memory. The description can be performed when studying the appearance of a person captured in a photograph, video frame, subjective portrait. A description can also be drawn up when studying the signs of the appearance of a deceased, deceased person using his death mask, graphic or plastic reconstruction of the face from the skull.

The reliability of displaying the signs of appearance, fixed with the help of a description, is greater when it is performed from nature, that is, it is of a direct nature. A mediated description, compiled from the words of a person who observed the described person, is considered less reliable.

At the same time, such a circumstance as possession of a methodology for compiling a forensic description is important. If the subject of the description does not own such a technique, his description as a means of fixing the external appearance of a person will not be complete and reliable. In turn, the possession of the technique allows the subject of the description to fix quite fully and reliably the signs of the appearance of the person being described.

When assessing the quality of information recorded in the form of a description, it is necessary to take into account the factors under the influence of which it is formed and created: the patterns of human perception, the complexity of the process of reproducing visual impressions in verbal form, the type of description, the primacy or repetition of the description, the place where the description was written, its time period and origin.

The content of information recorded in the form of a description is affected by: the laws of the process of human perception, the preservation of the formed idea; the time elapsed from the moment of perception to the reproduction of its results; the complexity of the process of reproducing visual impressions in verbal form; the multiplicity of forms of transformation of initial ideas, the possibility of losing part of the impressions and modifying those that have survived.

The specificity of the verbal design of perceived information lies in the fact that this process is accompanied by its generalization. The designation of the elements of a visual image with the help of words is a very complicated procedure, despite its external simplicity. So, even the description of one's own appearance, the appearance of close relatives and friends causes difficulty.

The difficulty is due to the fact that the individuality of a person's appearance is difficult to convey in ordinary words, with the exception, of course, of special signs. Most often, the signs of appearance are characterized as ordinary, “normal”, although they may not be.

In addition, the complexity lies in the unambiguous designation of features. Appearance in descriptions is often characterized by generalizing terms that have the same meaning for different people, depending on many individual characteristics of the compilers of the description.

The quality of the description is influenced by its type - an oral story or a written presentation. A written description may differ in its content from an oral description. This is explained by the fact that, firstly, the written presentation of an oral story requires certain skills; secondly, the stylistic design of the description can affect its accuracy, completeness, detail, lead to unconscious filling of gaps in the perception and memorization of information; thirdly, a written description may be shorter than an oral one, it may lack essential details that, in the opinion of the subject of the description, are of no interest.

For the quality of the description, it also matters what it is - primary or repeated. Despite the preservation of the basis of the description, its repeated, repeated compilation leads to impoverishment of the content of the description, the introduction of elements of generalization into it, and filling in the gaps with conjecture. Therefore, it is advisable to use the initial description, clarifying it in the process of further collecting information about the appearance of a person.

The place where the description was written is understood as an ethnographically isolated territory where the compiler of the description lives and works. Depending on this, the subject of the description involuntarily develops an idea of ​​the norm of a sign of appearance for the population surrounding him. This norm depends on the anthropological composition of the population of a given area. Therefore, there is a certain relationship between the individual idea of ​​the norm of signs of appearance with the objective norm characteristic of a given ethnic, anthropological group of the population.

The time of compilation of the description, the period that has elapsed from the moment of compilation to the use of the description, must be known in order to take them into account when analyzing changes that may occur over a significant length of this period.

The origin of the description, the circumstances under which it arose are important factors, the analysis of which is necessary to determine the degree of reliability of the display when describing a person's appearance.

The description may arise in the course of activities specially carried out for these purposes, appear as a result of circumstances not intended for its compilation. In the first case, the subject of the description has the opportunity to systematically and without difficulty observe a person and draw up a description of him (for example, registering a person according to the signs of his appearance). In the second case, the description is usually compiled some time after the observation, and not by the eyewitness himself, but by another person, most often an employee of the internal affairs body.

The reliability of the description, compiled by an eyewitness or from his words, is significantly affected by the conditions of observation of the object. The short duration of observation and other hampering conditions reduce the level of correspondence between the description and reality. Descriptions of eyewitnesses or information based on them are not always accurate, the reliability of the data in some cases cannot be verified, especially since such descriptions are compiled from memory.

The description compiled on the basis of registration materials is more reliable, as it is based on features that were specially studied for their consolidation during the registration process. In addition, such descriptions must be reliable, i.e., accurately reflect the established signs of appearance, since they are compiled by operatives on the basis of personal observations or verified reports of other persons, and should not include data on supposedly established signs.

When working with a description as a means of fixing the signs of a person's appearance, it is necessary to evaluate its quality, which depends on its completeness and certainty.

Completeness of description is determined by the number of features given in it. A fairly complete description is considered to contain data on all the main elements of appearance. As a rule, the list of signs of these elements is given in the relevant instructional materials, cards - information carriers (for example, a card for a missing person).

Definiteness of description is evaluated from the standpoint of its unambiguous or multi-valued understanding. An unambiguous description clearly defines a feature variant, a multi-valued description allows several options. Usually, information with a low degree of certainty is found in descriptions of the features of the appearance of unknown persons. The analysis of the degree of certainty of the description is carried out taking into account information about the personality of the subject of the description and the form of description used. The less certainty of the description, the lower the qualification of its compiler, the worse the conditions for perceiving the external appearance. In an ordered description, the degree of certainty can be analyzed; an arbitrary description allows words and expressions that are not in themselves well-defined.

When evaluating the reliability of displaying signs of a person's appearance in descriptions, the form of the description should also be taken into account. It can be arbitrary and systematized, or ordered.

Arbitrary description conveys all the features of the story about the appearance of a person and most often occurs during interviews, interrogations of witnesses, victims. It can also be given in documents drawn up in the course of operational-search activities. Such a description may contain characteristic features of the described person. It is distinguished by the use of everyday terminology, as they say, vernacular. Sometimes in the descriptions there are words and expressions characteristic of a certain, sometimes narrow group of people - local dialects. The characteristics contained in an arbitrary description can be both apt and extremely inaccurate, therefore, according to an arbitrary description, it is difficult to determine the degree of closeness of the selected words to the described characteristics, since the meaning that the author of the description and the person analyzing it put into the word may not be the same.

Since the description is to be used as a source of forensic information, it has to be converted to orderly, i.e. compiled according to certain rules and using a single terminology 1 .

The ordered description is produced according to the following rules.

• 1. The definition of signs of appearance is carried out in relation to the normal position of the head and body of a standing person.
• 2. The description is compiled sequentially - first, the element of appearance as a whole is characterized, and then its parts.
• 3. The description of the elements of appearance is compiled in a certain order - according to the principle from top to bottom.
• 4. Elements of appearance are characterized both in front and in profile.
• 5. When describing the elements of appearance, their characteristics are indicated: shape (contour), size, position, color, severity, as well as symmetry.
• 6. In the appearance of a person, features are distinguished and described, that is, signs that differ sharply from the norm, and special signs (scars, birthmarks, deviations from the normal development of the body, etc.).

To translate an arbitrary description into an ordered one, special reference manuals are used, in which common words and expressions that are often found in arbitrary descriptions are correlated with their most probable meanings in terms of a forensic description of a person's appearance 1 .

Forensic description as a method of fixing signs of a person's appearance is carried out during operational-search activities, criminal registration, investigative actions, and forensic portrait examination.

When carrying out operational-search activities, this description is used to fix the appearance of persons of operational interest.

It is necessary to especially note the signs that form the visibility of the elements of appearance and allow you to quickly distinguish the described person from a large group of people. These features include, firstly, those that are visible from a distance, less dependent on the conditions of observation than others (they can be called orienting features), and secondly, the most characteristic of the appearance of a given person (they can be called dominant features).

Since the appearance of almost every person is dominated by signs of an average value, one should: pay attention to the proportions of the face and its elements; fix the ratio of the frontal, nasal, oral parts, the position of the elements relative to the horizontal, vertical and each other, to identify asymmetry, usually to one degree or another inherent in all people.

An operational officer, when compiling a description of a person that he directly observed, must take into account the above rules for preparing an ordered description.

When compiling a forensic description of a person's appearance for registration purposes, they must reflect all the signs indicated on the form of the corresponding document. If it is difficult to determine the characteristic, all possible variants of it should be indicated.

ant to avoid loss of information. In cases of searching for a missing person, signs of clothing, shoes and small wearable items are found out and described immediately upon receipt of a statement about the disappearance of a person, since over time the applicant will not be able to name them with the required completeness and accuracy.

When describing clothes, its type, name, style, material from which it is made, its color are indicated. Brands and hallmarks of manufacturers, signs of wear, repair are subject to description. The location, size and shape of large defects are described. If there are remnants of the material from which the missing person sewed his coat, suit or other clothing, then samples of these fabrics are attached.

When preparing a presentation for identification, the description of the signs of appearance, recorded in the protocol of preliminary interrogation, is of great importance. According to this description, it is determined what external signs the persons presented to the eyewitness should have. The criminal procedure law requires that these persons be similar in appearance, that is, they do not have sharp differences in physique, age, height, shape and color of the face, hair, eyes, hairstyle, and special features. The results of the identification cannot be recognized as justified if the identifying person indicated such signs and signs, which, due to their uncertainty, are not sufficient to establish the identity. In the protocol of presentation for identification, the signs and signs by which the identifying person recognized the person presented for identification must be especially accurately indicated. The wording “I recognize by the features of the face, the structure of the nose, mouth”, etc. is inadmissible. It is required to single out and indicate such values ​​of signs that differ from the so-called averages and in their totality individualize the identifiable person.

Thus, the description of the features of appearance in the identification protocol should not include their enumeration (for example, the size of the nose, the contour of the lips, chin, etc.), but an indication by what features the person was identified (for example, by a large nose, an arched border contour upper lip, wide, protruding chin, etc.).

In the protocol of presentation for identification, the testimony of the identifying person, if possible, is stated verbatim, i.e., the expressions used by the witness, the victim are given.

A description of the signs of appearance is also made during the examination, during which various special signs, injuries, scars, tattoos, body defects, birthmarks can be found. In this case, a complete description of the external appearance of the examined person is not compiled, but the exact name of the identified signs is given, indicating their location on the body.

One of the specific investigative actions, during which the description of the signs of appearance by direct observation, is the examination of the corpse. When examining a corpse with the participation of a specialist, special attention is paid to the presence of injuries and traces of violence, which can become evidence in establishing the cause of death. Usually, the description of the signs of appearance is made according to an abbreviated program. However, the need for subsequent identification of the deceased (deceased), the impossibility of re-examination, the shortcomings of photographing require a detailed fixation of the signs of appearance in full and according to the rules of forensic description. The description must reflect the totality of features that individualize the deceased (deceased).

A certain specificity has a description of the signs of appearance during a forensic portrait examination. The description of the signs of appearance should be as detailed as the images submitted for examination allow. In expert portrait identification, not all elements and signs of appearance are used, but only those that have been reliably displayed in portraits.

With expert portrait identification, the description of appearance begins with complex elements and features.

Initially, gender, age (age period of the depicted person), anthropological type (belonging to one of the main races), body type are indicated.

In the course of a preliminary study of images, descriptions and signs of accompanying elements of appearance are also performed - clothing, wearable items, jewelry.

In the description of clothing, its type (men's, women's, children's) and style are indicated, which is characterized taking into account its purpose, cut (seasonal, professional, uniform, special). The headgear is characterized separately, and its type (cap, beret, etc.) and color are indicated.

When compiling a description of clothing, you need to note the location of the sides, fasteners, brand names. This is necessary to resolve the issue of the possibility of a mirror image of the object.

After compiling a description of the signs of complex and accompanying elements of appearance, they proceed to a description of the signs of anatomical elements, primarily the signs of the head, as the most important for portrait identification.

The head and face of a person are studied as a whole. Their separate parts and elements are also investigated. The head as a whole is characterized by

relative size and structural features. The description of the face as a whole is carried out along the frontal contour, proportions and relative sizes of its parts.

After that, a description of the hairline on the head and face (mustache, beard, sideburns) is drawn up. Then a description is given of the forehead, eyebrows, eye area, cheekbones, nose, mouth, skin and mucous parts of the lips, chin, auricles, neck, signs of the skin of the face are noted (presence, location, severity of wrinkles, folds, etc.).

The description of the features of the elements of appearance is carried out at all stages of the portrait examination. But this description has its own characteristics, taking into account the specifics of each stage.

So, at the stage of preliminary research, the description is limited only to the signs of complex and accompanying elements, since the main task of this stage is to preliminary compare the faces depicted in the portrait.

In the process of separate research, the anatomical elements of the appearance are studied and described using the method of verbal portrait. First, the features are determined as they appear in the portrait. Then, taking into account the factors influencing their display, the severity of signs under normal conditions is established. These are considered to be the conditions of signaletic photography.

At the stage of a comparative study, the description records the results of a comparison of the features of appearance identified during a separate study, and such a description is limited only to comparable features. When listing coincidences and differences, they are named and explained in what, in what gradations the coincidence and difference of signs consist.

At the final stage, the different features should be described in detail. A detailed description of the matching features is not necessary, as they must be objectively and accurately presented in the illustrative part of the expert's report.

When verbally fixing the signs of appearance, they are guided by special rules that are part of the "verbal portrait" technique. 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.

The description rules according to the verbal portrait method are based on the interconnected principles of consistency and completeness. The principle of consistency determines the sequence (order) of the description. The principle of completeness provides a detailed description.

1. First, signs are recorded that characterize the general physical elements of appearance: gender, age, nationality (anthropological type), height, physique, then anatomical signs of individual areas of the body and elements; after that - functional signs of related items.

2. The description of signs of appearance is carried out according to the scheme "from general to particular" and "from top to bottom". At the same time, they first characterize the figure as a whole, the head as a whole, the face as a whole, its individual elements, neck, shoulders, back, chest, arms, legs.

3. Each of the anatomical elements is characterized by shape, size and position, and some by color.

3.1. When describing the form, the name of geometric lines (round, oval, rectangular, triangular, etc.) or geometric lines (straight, convex, sinuous, 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. Hair is 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 and side view (full face and right 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), cosmetics should be absent, hair removed from the forehead and ears, glasses and a headdress removed (their description is given in the accompanying signs).

Below is a scheme for describing external features using the "verbal portrait" method (Fig. 2, 2a), compiled in compliance with the above principles.

Description of anatomical features

Floor: male, female.

Age. Established: a) according to the documents, if they are not in doubt; b) "in appearance" (indicating this circumstance and within certain limits: in appearance 25-30 years old, in appearance 50-60 years old, etc.); c) according to the data of a medical examination or a forensic medical examination.

Nationality(face type). 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) and 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.

Rice. 2.

1a. A, B, C, D, E, F, G - anthropometric points of the face (superior frontal, glabella, upper nasal, pupillary, transnasal, chin, 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 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. 16. 1 - hairline, 2 - frontal tubercles, 3 - superciliary arches, 4 - eyebrow heads, 5 - eyebrow contours, b - eyebrow tails, 7 - inner corners of the eyes, 8 - outer corners of the eyes, 9 - contours folds of the upper eyelids, 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.

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).

Rice. 2a. Elements and features of the face in profile. On. 1, 2, 3 - frontal, nasal, oral part of the face and their heights, 4 - position (tilt) of the forehead, 5, b - measurement of the height and depth of the bridge of the nose, 7 - protrusion of the back of the nose, 8 - protrusion of the nose, 9 - base line nose, 10 - auricle width, 11 - auricle height, 12 - vertical (frontal) line. 116. 1 - the contour of the forehead, 2 - the contour of the back of the nose, 3 - the contour of the lower edge of the wing of the nose, 4 - the contour of the chin, 5 - the position of the upper lip, 6 - the position of the lower lip, 7 - the outer corner of the eye, 8 - the line of the base of the ear shells, 9 - curl, 10 - tragus, 11 - antihelix, 12 - antitragus, 13 - earlobe.

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- 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.

facial expressions- the movement of the muscles and elements of the face, changing its expression depending on the emotional state of the 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, they characterize both data related to speech itself and data of the speech mechanism. 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 relation to the speech mechanism, the pace (slow, fast), character (calm, excited speech), speech features (burr, lisp, nasal, etc.) are noted. 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 course of a person's 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 up, 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.

Some of the illustrations in this chapter are based on the work of: Snetkov V. A., Velichko I. F., Zhitnikov V. S., Zinin A. M., Ovsyannikova M. N. Forensic description of a person’s appearance. M., 1984.

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

Chapter 19

§ 2. Methodology for describing the signs of a person's appearance (method of verbal portrait)

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.

Describing a person's appearance may seem like an easy task until you actually try it. Whether you want to describe a new acquaintance to a friend or alert the police about a criminal suspect, it's important to methodically capture key physical details and unique characteristics. Even if you are trying to describe the character of your story, it is important to give details to the imagination so that it conveys the image to the reader.

Steps

Mention key common characteristics

If necessary, determine the gender of the person. In many cases, this will be immediately obvious, and will most likely be the first thing you notice. However, not all people fit into these categories, and it's generally best not to make assumptions unless it's necessary.

• For example, if you're trying to describe a suspect to the police, you might have to say something like, "I thought it was a man, but I'm not sure."
• In other cases, most likely, it will be possible to simply move on to other visual signs.

1. Pay attention to the color of the person's skin and, if necessary, make an assumption about their race or ethnicity. Again, there is a difference between describing a suspect to the police and doing so for other reasons. In the first case, you will most likely have to make an assumption, for example: "He looked like a Tajik", or: "I think she is a Kazakh." In other cases, it may sound tactless or offensive.

   • One can simply describe skin color using terms such as "olive", "pale", "dark brown" and so on. And other people themselves can make an assumption (if desired).

2. Estimate the age range between five and ten years. In many cases it can be assumed that the person is "about 25 years old" or "about 60 years old". Try to provide as narrow an age range as you feel is appropriate. This will make it easier for others to imagine the person you are describing.

   • For example, when you say that a person looks 30-35 years old instead of 30-40 years old, you provide a clearer picture.
   • This is especially important in the case of young people, because, after all, a ten-year-old is very different from a twenty-year-old!

3. Report the person's height, either in a descriptive or an estimate form. If you've only seen a glimpse of a person, chances are you'll be able to better describe them in terms of general height categories, such as "very tall", "tall", "medium height", "short" or "very short". These vague terms become more precise if it can be determined that they are talking about a man, a woman, or a child.

   • If you can be more specific about a person's actual height, try a five-centimeter margin of error, such as "He was 180-185 cm."

4. Describe a person's build in terms such as "thin", "medium build" and "large build". As a rule, weight is much more difficult to estimate than height. Therefore, stick to rather vague classifications, such as: "She was very thin," or: "He is very large."

   Mention the person's physical appearance as tactfully as possible. In the end, there are no comrades for the taste and color, so your idea of ​​\u200b\u200ba beautiful person may not coincide with someone else's opinion. Give your assessment tactfully, for example:

   • If you find the person unattractive, call them "ordinary" or "undistinguished" rather than "ugly."
   • Use the words "sloppy" or "unkempt" instead of "dirty."
   • Use the word "attractive" to denote a good looking person, but don't call them "beautiful", "gorgeous", or even "cute".
   • Flabby isn't the perfect word, but it's probably the best way to describe a person who is the opposite of fit, slender, or well-built.

   Describe facial features and unique details

   1. Pay attention to hair color, length, hairstyle and appearance. Use general terms that are fairly easy for most people to understand. For example:

      • color: brown-haired, brunette, blond, fair-haired, red, gray-haired;
      • length: bald, short, medium, long, shoulder length and so on;
      • style: straight, curly, wavy, afro, ponytail, dreadlocks, bun, mohawk and so on;
      • appearance: dirty, thin, curly, shiny, clean, slick and so on.

   2. Mention the color and shape of the eyes, eyebrows, and the presence of glasses. As with describing hair, stick to simple terms that most people can picture in their heads. For example:

      • eye color: black, brown, gray, blue, green, light brown;
      • eye shape: wide, narrow, protruding, deep-set, strabismus, and so on;
      • eyebrows: color and characteristics, such as fluffy, thin, unibrow and so on;
      • glasses: note the color, shape, material, thickness and tint of the lenses.

   3. Pay attention to other facial features such as the nose, ears and lips. As a rule, the terms “large”, “medium” or “small” are more suitable for describing ears, and in the case of lips it is better to say: “thin”, “medium” and “plump”. The nose can be "short", "long", "wide", "thin", "pointed", "rounded", "hooked", "curved" and so on. The face, in general, can be described as "long", "round", or "flat".

      • If you are filling out a police report, you might mention that the person had "ruddy cheeks", "bags under the eyes" or "double chin". Otherwise, be polite and omit those details!

   4. Highlight distinguishing features, such as scars and tattoos. This is especially important if you are describing a person to law enforcement (for example, missing or suspected of a crime). Recall the presence of such permanent features and describe them in detail.

      Look for unique traits like posture and nervous tics. Is this person "stooped" or does he have a "hump"? Does he tilt his head to the side or blink frequently when he speaks? Does he continuously jerk his knee up and down when he sits? These small details will make it easier for others to imagine the person you are describing.

      Describe his clothes, or at least the general "look" or style. If you are describing a person to the authorities, try to be as specific as possible about each item of their clothing: trousers, shirt, jacket, shoes, headgear, and so on. In a more general description, note the sense of style and taste.

   Creatively describe the person in writing

   1. Use figurative language along with meaningful details. Rely on language that evokes the physical appearance of the person, and stick strictly to descriptive phrases. This is the creative part of creative writing!

      • Instead of writing: “She had long red hair,” you can use this option: “Her hair swaying in the wind resembled a flame of fire crackling in a fireplace.”
      • The statement that a person "stood like a mighty oak" says a little about his physical appearance and, at the same time, about his behavior in just a few words.

   2. Describe the person in a way that matches the tone of the letter. For example, if you are writing in a humorous style, use humorous language. If the scene is tense and dramatic, skip the silly metaphors in the descriptions.

      • For example, consider the difference between the description "slits of the eyes, as if cut with a knife" and "strabismus, like cousin Denis's."

1. Make the appearance of any of the members of the group using the Photofit system on a PC.

2. Take a picture of this person using the method of identification shooting (3 pictures: full face, right profile, left semi-profile), paste the pictures. Using the scheme for describing a person's appearance, using the verbal portrait method, describe the appearance of the photographed person in the form of a Search Orientation.

Photo 1. Photo 2. Photo 3.

Search orientation

_______________________________

Sequence diagram for describing the external appearance of a person

By the method of verbal portrait

Own elements and features	general physical	Floor
Age
Anthropological type
Height
Anatomical	Body type
head as a whole
Whole face
hairline
Forehead
Brows
Eyes
Nose
Mouth
The chin
auricles
Leather
facial hair
Neck
Shoulders
Hands
Legs
Functional	Posture
Gait
Gesticulation
facial expressions
Articulation
Speech
habits
Special signs	Birthmarks, traces of operations, tattoos, peculiarities in movement, etc.
Associated features	Headdress
Cloth
Shoes
Accessories
Smell

An example of a description using the verbal portrait method

Man, about 30 years old, European type, height about 185 cm. Average build.

Head medium height, egg-shaped.

Hair dark, straight, of medium density and length, the hairline is M-shaped, the hair is combed from left to right, without parting.

Face narrow, oval, with medium features, medium fullness, convex profile. Forehead medium height and width, straight, tilted back.

Brows arcuate, long, tapering to the temples, oblique position, closely spaced, high, of medium density.

Eyes almond-shaped, of medium length and opening, oblique position, blue-gray, with a moderate lower eyelid.

Nose of medium height (length), width, protrusion and depth of the nasal bridge, with a sinuous contour of the back of the nose, the base is horizontal.

Mouth of medium length, the corners of the mouth are horizontal, lips protruding in profile, the contour of the lips closing is straight, the height of the upper lip is medium.

The chin oval profile, low height, medium width, protruding.

auricles medium size, beveled back, general protrusion. rectangular shape, with a separate fastening of the lobe to the cheek.

hairline missing on the face.

Neck medium height and thickness, straight, Adam's apple of medium severity. Special signs: a scar on the right side of the neck, 4 cm long. He is dressed in a gray shirt, the collar is unbuttoned. With personal observation, the functional elements of appearance are described.

3. Draw up a resolution on the appointment of an examination. View
define it yourself.

RESOLUTION

(place of compilation)

class rank or rank, surname, initials)

SET UP:

forensic examination)

(which one)

name of the expert institution)

(which ones)

(signature)

Rights and obligations under Art. 57 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation, “___” was explained to me _______ 20___

At the same time, I was warned about criminal liability in accordance with Art. 307 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for giving a knowingly false conclusion.

Expert