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 a significant practical value. 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 to completely change the functional features inherent in this person, impossible, 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.

A 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 searching 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 detailed description signs of the appearance of the wanted persons, the characteristics of "special signs" and "catchy signs", which makes it possible for the persons carrying out the search to create and firmly keep in memory mental image wanted.

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 absconding criminal whose identity has not been established is compiled, as a rule, according to the testimony 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 photography 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 features of appearance 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 “verbal portrait” technique, the investigator can help the interrogated person to describe in more detail the signs of appearance, dissect the holistic mental image of the described, highlight the most characteristics, 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.

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 the. 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 of the leg, position of the arms when walking (waving arms, hands in pockets, laid behind) Gait may change under the influence of diseases of the legs, nervous system suffered 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 muscles and facial elements that change its expression depending on emotional state person or 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 Forensic Research external signs of a person (habitoscopy)

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

The male, about 27 years old, European type, about 180 cm tall, average build.

Head medium height, oval shape.

Hair dark, straight, of medium density and length, the hairline is M-shaped, the hair is not combed.

Face oval, with medium features, medium fullness, convex profile. The forehead is of medium height and width, straight, tilted back.

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

Eyes almond-shaped, of medium length and opening, oblique position, gray-blue, with a moderately pronounced 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.

Chin oval profile, low height, medium width, protruding.

auricles medium size, sloping back, general protrusion, rectangular in shape, with a separate attachment of the earlobe to the cheek.

hairline missing on the face.

Neck medium height and thickness, straight.

Special signs: No

dressed in a black T-shirt

With personal observation, the functional elements of appearance are described.

Questions for self-control on topic 9:

1. A system for classifying signs of a person's appearance,
2. Own elements and signs of a person's appearance.

3. Associated elements and signs of a person's appearance.

4. Special signs of a person's appearance.

5. Rules for describing appearance using the verbal portrait method,
6. Concept and types of subjective portraits.

7. The use of verbal and subjective portraits in the search activity of the internal affairs bodies.

8. Patterns of changes in the external appearance of a person.

9. Sources of information about the appearance of a person.

10. Displays of the external appearance of a person used in forensics
practice.

Additional reading on topic 9:

1. Alenin A.P., Dubyagin Yu.P., Kuznetsov A.A. The use of a verbal portrait in the search activity of the internal affairs bodies: Educational and practical guide. Omsk, 1996.

2. Restoration of the face from the skull in forensics; Tutorial/ Comp. B.A. Fedosyutkin et al., 1990.

3.Zinin A.M. The use of subjective portraits. M., 1996.

4. Forensic description of a person's appearance; Textbook / Under the general. ed. V.M. Snetkov, 1993.

7. Toporkov A.A. Verbal portrait.; Practical guide. M. .1999.

8. Tsvetkov P.P., Petrov V.P. Personal identification by photographs. L., 1996,

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 method of verbal portrait was proposed in late XIX 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 are noted hairline heads (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 relative to other external elements and characterized by width, length, height, depth, quantity, etc.

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

6. When describing the color of the 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. An 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. Described by appearance (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, extraorbital or intraorbital 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 stand out: the structure of the palpebral fissure (almond-shaped, oval, round, slit-like, etc.), the color of the iris (dark and light different colors), features (various anomalies and pathological changes- widely spaced, asymmetrical, oblique, multi-colored, reddened, with thorns, cataracts, 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. Wherein highest value have features of these signs, described taking into account atypical manifestations (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 legs, 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 are 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. Determined by its greatest width at the level 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. Features are also described, which 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 - 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 (dull 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 the size of the step (long, short), the width of the step (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 the clothes, the handkerchief) or the legs (stomping the heel of the foot or tapping the toe of the foot, etc.), accompanying 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, puckering 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, note vocabulary, style, diction, physical defects of the speaker (nasal, lisp, burr, stuttering, etc.), dialect (okanye or akanye, etc.), possession foreign languages, musical ability, use of slang words, 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

Cloth. 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 and tear: 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 allows sometimes, in addition to complementing the appearance of their owner, identifying individual characteristics identity, to establish on them other circumstances of the event of a crime or the conditions for the disappearance of a 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.

We meet every day different people: kind, sad, strange, tall, obese, beautiful, funny ... Each person with whom some kind of communication takes place leaves a certain trace in our psyche. These "traces" are not complete without a verbal description of the subject's appearance. In our mind or in a conversation with a girlfriend, we always rely on aspects of describing a person's appearance.

Description of a person's appearance: purpose

There are sciences that study the appearance of people, such as psychology, philology, forensics and some others. Doctors also encounter elements of the description of appearance when they study the history of the disease or the psychotype of the patient. This process is indispensable in business, especially show business. In modeling agencies, the appearance of a girl or a guy plays a key role, therefore, when meeting with the desired model in absentia, the investor or director first gets acquainted with the verbal portrait of the subject.

Description of appearance everyday life broadens horizons, contributes to the formation of taste and appreciation of people. In addition, the interlocutor can easily form the image of the described person in the mind according to certain adjectives.

In psychology, the description of appearance is also on important place. Whole theories of personality and its behavior are based on the appearance of individuals. For example, Kretschmer's theory directly links the temperament, character and orientation of a person with his physique. And not only he noted a certain relationship between external data and the internal mood of people. Over the years, our emotions and stress leave an imprint on our appearance in the form of wrinkles, gait, gestures.

In jurisprudence, there is a huge section called forensic science. This science also uses scientific description appearance of a person, defining the criteria and rules of this process. Here, the description is also an important process, since victims and witnesses remember criminals according to external data. In this science, attention is paid to every element of the face, torso, limbs of a person. Along with this, they pay attention to clothes and other signs when they are looking for the missing.

Types of description of appearance

There are many varieties of theories and rules that allow you to describe a person externally as accurately as possible. But this process as a whole can be divided into two main types:

• arbitrary- which is characterized by the use of ordinary folk words, is not structured, so important points may be missed;
• systematized- used with the use of scientific or technical terms, compiled according to the method of verbal portrait.

What are the anatomical features of a person?

Description of a person's appearance is what many people encounter when communicating. There are times when you need to talk about a particular person, describing his appearance. Children may also experience this. school age, for example, if they were given the task to write an essay: "Description of a person's appearance."

Anatomical features of a person include organs and parts of the body, such as the head, chin, forehead, face or torso.

By anatomical features, you can determine the sex of a person, his age, height and physique. You can also determine the anthropological features of the appearance of a person, the structure of his body and head, and also an element of the face. Since the face is considered the "cover" that characterizes the appearance of a person, special attention is paid to it.

What characteristics are related to the functional description?

The description of a person's appearance cannot take place without determining his functional features. The latter are manifested during human life. They characterize motor and physiological functions. A functional description of a person's appearance reflects the features of the manifestation of his life activity. Characteristics related to functional traits include posture, gestures, facial expressions, gait, and speech.

Creating a verbal portrait of a person, describing the appearance and determining its functional features, first of all, many pay attention to posture. It can be traced by the position of the head - its relation to the body. Also, posture is determined by the position of the body relative to the vertical. Describing it, you can use the following adjectives: hunched, stooped, free, straight and loose. For example, hands can be located along the body, on the hips, behind the back or in pockets. And the head is thrown back, tilted forward, or tilted to one of the sides.

When a student writes a thematic essay: "Description of a person's appearance", then he can use adjectives to characterize the gait of this person. It can be, for example, slow, shuffling, heavy, bouncing, wobbling, fast, mincing, waddling, and waving its arms.

The verbal description of a person's appearance according to functional characteristics can be continued for a long time, because, as mentioned above, this includes gestures, facial expressions, as well as speech functions.

Methods of verbal portrait

A verbal portrait is a forensic way of describing a person's appearance using special terms. This method is carried out by a certain system for the purpose of criminal registration (for example, search and identification of living people or corpses).

Methods of verbal portrait are used to identify a person. This can be done by presenting for identification, comparing the appearance with a photographic portrait, with a verbal portrait, as well as comparing a verbal portrait with a photographic image.

Arbitrary description of appearance

The characterization of a person and the description of his appearance can be made in an arbitrary way. They are given by eyewitnesses with words and expressions used in everyday speech. These can be household terms, local dialects, and the like.

Any person who saw the incident can give an arbitrary description. Moreover, he does this with the help of words familiar to him, without using scientific terms. Such descriptions often help criminalists find the right person.

Systematization in the description of a person's appearance

A systematized description is called a description by the method of a verbal portrait. Alphonse Bertillon laid the foundations for systematization at the end of the 19th century. Such a description helps to uniformly characterize the elements of people's appearance, their signs and equally perceive the result of the description. There are also basic principles for describing the appearance, due to which uniformity is achieved. These are the principles:

• on the use of standardized terminology;
• on compliance with the sequence in the description;
• about maximum completeness;
• about the description in full face and in the right profile;
• description, which is carried out in relation to the standard position of the head and the state of appearance;
• about the description, in which special signs stand out.

What are the rules for describing appearances?

There are also rules developed by criminologists for describing a person's appearance, with the help of which a person is characterized by the method of a verbal portrait. This includes the completeness of the description of appearance. After all, the speed of searching for a person primarily depends on this, because it is not known by what signs it will be possible to find it.

The next rule is the sequence of description. This includes general physical characteristics such as gender and age. Then an anatomical description already takes place (for example, the figure as a whole, neck, shoulders, chest, back, head, including the face).

Then there is a description using special terminology. This is necessary in order to ensure a uniform understanding of the information received. But the sources of information are divided into subjective and objective.

The use of adjectives in describing a person in a picture

At first glance, it may seem that making a description of a person’s appearance from a picture is not so difficult. But this will not be difficult if we know the person well, and if not, then some effort will have to be made. The first thing you need is to know adjectives well, with which you can make a description.

For example, looking at a painting, you can describe a person's head using adjectives that describe its size: small, medium, or large. You can characterize a person’s hair from a picture using the following criteria: abundance, length, type, color or frontal line. Hair can be thick, medium or sparse. Length - short, medium length or long. Hair type can be straight, wavy and curly. Color - light blond, blond, dark blond, black and red. And the frontal line is straight, arcuate, wavy and broken.

Looking at the picture, you can use any adjectives to describe the face of a person as a whole, his forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, lips, teeth, chin, ear and neck. It also characterizes the shoulders, chest, back, arms and legs.

Characteristics of the appearance of a Russian person

Another mystery for ethnopsychologists, physiognomists, philologists is the appearance of a Russian person. It is not very easy to describe it, because it is a very vague concept. Many say that a real Russian person should have blue eyes, blond hair and a flat, tall figure. But if we go deeper into this issue, then it can be light or dark brown or blue eyes, as well as all colors and shades of green. The hair is light or dark blond and very thick, and the figure is slender, tall. There is no regularity in the shape of the nose and lips of a Russian person. They can be completely different. But the skin of Russians is often light and matte.

The ratio of the characteristics of a person and the description of his appearance

A few centuries ago, some scientists noticed a correspondence appearance and some character traits, personality characteristics. A full person is characterized by addictions (for example, to food), that is, he has weak willpower. Such people are guided by the opinions of others, friendly and love communication.

People with a visually large head and shoulders love risk, are prone to physical activity, but do not differ in mercy and compassion.

Thin people with a high forehead and a narrow chest characterized as sensitive, loving solitude, quiet, secretive, inactive in communication.

There are theories that link complexion, its asymmetry, impulsiveness with the lifestyle that a person leads. The description of appearance in this case will be based on external characteristics and characteristics of human activity.

In addition, there is a downside to this process. It is necessary to pay attention to who makes the description of the person's appearance. Example: a person who is inclined to control everything will first describe the leadership traits of a person and his behavior in this vein. Subjects seeking to constantly enrich themselves will pay attention to the cost of watches, cosmetics on the face and clothes, and so on.