PERSONAL

IDENTIFICATION
TECHNIQUES

PORTRAIT PARLE

ALMER E. BALISE,RCrim.,CSP,MSCJ(c)
 Portrait Parle
In many instances, an investigator does
not have a picture of the wanted or
missing person. The only way to have an
idea of the prominent physical features is
for a witness or someone who has
knowledge of the identity of the missing
person to fill in the details.
 Portrait Parle
(spoken picture) is a verbal, accurate and
picturesque description of the person
being identified. Such information may be
given by the witness, relatives, or other
persons who are acquainted with the
physical features of the person to be
identified.
Principal parts of the ear
1. Concha
2a. Beginning helix
2b. Upper helix
2c. Rear helix
3. Lobule
4. Antitragus
5. Tragus
6a. Upper antihelix
6b. Lower antihelix
6c. Lower branch of upper antihelix
7. Fossa digitalis
8. Fossa navicularis
Peculiarities of the helix:
1. Darwinian extension;
2. Darwinian tubercle;
3. Frostbitten ear;
4. Upper helix with acute angle in top;
5. Upper helix with acute angle in front;
6. Upper helix with acute angle in rear;
7. Upper helix with right angle in front;
8. Upper helix with right angle in rear;
The Head
The head is the most prominent and visualized part of the body, it
is almost the most important to describe correctly.
The size of the head may be described as
The Head
The shape of the head
may be described as
The Head
The carriage of the head may be described as
The Hair
Be specific as to the hairstyle

The growth of the hair may be described as

The Hair
The form of the hair may be describe as
The Hair
The location of the part of the hair may be
described as
The Hair
The style of cut of the hair may be described as
The Hair

The type of baldness of the hair

may be described as

note:
The color of the hair age
described as black, brown-red,
blond, gray, salt, peppery
The Forehead

According to width, the forehead

may be described as
The Forehead

According to slope, the shape of

the forehead may be described as
The Face

From a full-face view, the

face may be described as
The Face

The Profile of the face

may be described as
The Eyebrows
Eyebrows are quite important. When a mask is worn, the eyes and
eyebrows maybe among the most important points in description

By shape, eyebrows may be described as

The Eyebrows
As to quantity, the eyebrows may be described as
The Eyelids
The eyelids can be described as (1) Drooping (in the upper or superior lid), (2)
Baggy (is lower lid baggy), (3) Raised iris (when lower lid does not cover the iris),
(4) Excavated (eyes that seem to be very far back due to prominence of the
eyelids).
The Eyes
The eyes are hard to change. Along with the
eyebrows and ears, they are almost visible

By size, the eyes may be described as

The Eyes
By shape, the eyes may be described as
The Eyes
By expression, eyes may be described as
The Nose

The nose is a very important feature in

portrait parle.
The root of the nose may be described as
The Nose

The bridge or the ridge of the

nose may be described as
The Nose

The base of the nose

may be described as
The Nose

The nostrils may be

described as
The Nose

The septum may be

described as
The Nose

The projection of the nose may

be described as
The Nose

The width of the nose may be

described as
The Nose

These drawings represent the general basic shapes

of the noses when viewed directly from the front.
The Nose

These drawings represent the general basic

shapes of the noses when viewed from the side.
The Nose

Facial lines (profile view) may be described as

The Nose

Facial lines (frontal view) may be described as

The Mustache and Beard
These drawings represent the general basic
types of beards.
The Mustache and Beard
These drawings represent the basic types of
mustaches.
The Lips
The lips may be described as
The Lips
The shape of the lips may be described as
The Lips
The Profile of the lips may be described as
The Lips
The upper lip may be described as
The Lips
The position of the lips may be described as
The Mouth
The mouth may be generally described as
The Mouth
The mouth may be further described as
The Teeth
Described by color as (1) White. (2) Yellow. (3) Stained.

By size, the teeth may be described as

The Teeth
As to position, teeth may be described as
The Teeth
As to condition, teeth may be described as
The Chin
The chin in profile view may be described as
The Chin
The chin may be further described as
The Ears
The ears constitute the most
important characteristic part of the
body next to the patterns of the
friction ridges.
The ear is always the same from
birth to death and no two have been
found alike. It should be studied
carefully as it is a positive means of
identification.
By size, the ears may be
described as
The Ears

The general shape of the ears

may be described as
The Ears

The ear position on the head may

be described as
The Ears

In relation to the plane of the

head, the ears may be described as
The Ears

As to shape, the lobe may be

described as
The Ears

Slant of the antitragus may be

described as
ACTIVITY