DESCRIPTION TECHNIQUES

Descriptions will normally be written or verbal, but may include signs, gestures, sketches, and other means of imparting information. It is essential that you be proficient in both written description (for report writing) and verbal description (for appearances as a witness in legal proceedings).

Persons

Every individual has some distinguishing characteristic or combination of characteristics that set him or her apart from other persons. These distinctive features are the most important part of the description of a person.

It is important that you be able to describe persons so completely and accurately that others will be able to readily recognize the individuals described. As in the case of observation, accurate description is facilitated by following a pattern, which normally proceeds from general characteristics to specific characteristics.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.- The following commonly accepted and understood words, terms, and methods are recommended for use in describing general characteristics of a person: 

l Sex. 

. Race-Caucasian, Black, Native American, Hispanic, Mongolian, or Malayan. 

. Height-exact or estimated. When the height is estimated that should be clearly indicated. A convenient method of estimating height involves simple comparison with your own height. For purposes of simplification, estimated height may be stated in 2-inch blocks, such as 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet.

. Build (including posture). 

. General-Large, average or small (slight). 

. Specific-Obese (very stout), stout, stocky, medium, or slim (slender). 

. Posture-Straight (erect), medium, or stooped. 

l Females-In describing the build of a woman, bear in mind that, while the descriptive terms listed above are equally applicable and may be used there are basic differences in build and body proportions between the male and female figures. The female figure is normally smooth and rounded, while the male figure tends to be angular with distinct muscular definition. An important part of the description of the build of a female is the appearance of the bust, which should be described as flat, medium, or heavy. 

. Weight-exact or estimated. When the weight is estimated, that should be clearly indicated. As in estimating height, a convenient method for estimating weight is by comparison with your own weight. Estimates should be stated in 10-pound increments, such as 160 to 170 pounds, 170 to 180 pounds. 

. Age-actual or estimated. When the age is estimated, that should be clearly indicated. For convenience, age may be estimated in multiples of 5 years. In describing a person's age, it may often be of particular importance to indicate not only the actual age but also the general age indicated by appearance.

. Complexion-pale, fair, dark, ruddy, sallow (sickly pale) or florid (flushed). Clear, pimpled, blotched, freckled, pockmarked, and so forth. In the case of a female, the description should include makeup habits such as none, light, heavy, or other applicable term or phrase. For persons of the Black race, complexion should be described as light brown, medium brown, dark or olive.

SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS.- In the interest of thoroughness and uniformity, you should pattern both your observation and your description of the specific characteristics of a person along systematic lines, normally beginning with the head and progressing downward.

The following words, terms, phrases, and methods are recommended for standard use in describing specific personal characteristics: . Head-Size and shape-Large, medium, or small; long or short; broad or narrow; round, flat in back flat on top, egg-shaped, high in crown, bulging in back and so forth. 

. Profile-Divide mentally into three parts or sections. Each third is then described in its relationship to the whole and in separate detail. Except in the case of peculiarities, the description of the profile is not normally as important for identification purposes as is the description of the frontal view of the face. 

. Face-Round, square, oval, broad, or long (as seen from the front). 

. Hair-Color as blond (light or dark), brown (light or dark), red (light or dark), auburn, black gray, streaked with gray, or white, In the case of bleached, tinted, or dyed hair, both the artificial and the natural color should be indicated when possible. Density, as thick, medium, thin, or sparse; hairline, as low, medium, receding, receding over temples, and so forth. Baldness should be described as complete, whole top of head, occipital, frontal, receding, or the appropriate combination of types. Hair type, as straight, wavy, curly, or kinky; hair texture, as fine, medium, or coarse. Appearance, as neat, bushy, unkempt, oily, or dry; hairstyle, as long, medium, or short; parted on left, parted on right, parted in center, or not parted. Current descriptive terms of hairstyles which are readily and widely understood should be used as appropriate. Wigs, toupees, and hairpieces should be described carefully and in detail. The careful observer can often determine whether a person is wearing a toupee or other hairpiece from such indications as difference in hair texture, color, density, type, or appearance. Furthermore, the arrangement of false hair will often be too nearly perfect, and the edges of the hairpiece will often be evident upon close scrutiny. 

l Forehead-High, medium, or low. Slope, as receding, medium, vertical, prominent, or bulging; width, as wide, medium, or narrow. Wrinkles or age lines, as none, light, deep, horizontal, curved (up or down), or vertical.

. Eyebrows-Color, including any difference from hair color. Slant from center (horizontal, slanted up, slanted down). Line, as straight or arched separated or connected; texture, as heavy, medium, or thin; hair, as short, medium, or long; plucked; penciled. In describing females, it is often important that both the natural and the artificial appearance and contour of the eyebrows be indicated. 

. Eyes-Note color of eyes.

. Nose-Concave, straight, convex (hooked), reman, or aquiline. Nostrils should be indicated as medium, wide, or narrow; large or small; high or low; round, elongated, or flaring. Peculiarities, such as broken, twisted to right or left, turned up, pendulous, hairy, deep-pored, and so forth, should be carefully noted and reported.

. Mouth-Size (as viewed from front), small, medium or large. Expression, as stern, sad, (corners drooping), pleasant, or smiling. Peculiarities, such as prominent changes made when speaking or laughing, twitching, habitually open, and so forth, should be indicated. 

l Lips-Thin, medium, or thick (as viewed from front); long, medium, or short (as viewed in profile).

Position, as normal, lower protruding, upper protruding, or both protruding. Color. Appearance, as smooth, chapped puffy, loose, compressed, tight (retracted over teeth), moist, dry, and so forth. Harelip and other peculiarities should be carefully noted. In the case of females, color, type, and extent of lipstick should be described. In this connection, be alert for the use of lipstick to alter or accent the natural appearance of the lips.

. Mustache and beard-Color, including any difference from hair color; style and configuration; and state of grooming (unshaven). . Teeth-Color; receding, normal, or protruding; large, medium, or small; stained decayed, very white, broken, false, gold, flared, uneven, missing, or gaps between teeth. 

l Chin-Normal, receding, or jutting (as viewed in profile); short, medium, or long (as viewed from the front); small, large, pointed, square, dimpled cleft, or double. 

. Ears-Small, medium, or large. Shape, as oval, round, triangular, rectangular, or other appropriate term. Lobe, as descending, square, medium, or gulfed. Separation from the head should be described as close, normal, or protruding; and setting (based on a line extended horizontally back from the outside comer of the eye, which crosses the normally set ear at the upper third) should be indicated as low, normal, or high. 

. Hearing aids-Hearing aids should be described in detail as to type (such as inside the ear, behind the ear, with cord, cordless), color, and ear in which worn. 

l Cheeks-Full, bony, angular, fleshy, sunken, or flat. Cheekbones, as high (prominent), medium, or receding. In the case of women, makeup habits should be noted. 

. Neck-Short or long; straight or curved; thin or thick. Adam's apple as large (prominent), medium, or small. 

. Shoulders-Small, medium, or heavy; narrow, medium, or broad; square or round, level or one side lower. As seen in profile, straight, stooped, slumped, or humped. 

l Arms-Long, medium, or short in comparison to rest of the body (average or medium arms terminate with the heel of the hand about halfway between the hips and the knee when the arms are hanging naturally). Muscles, as slight, medium, or heavy.

. Hands-Small, medium, or large in relation to the size of the individual. Peculiarities should be noted in detail.

. Fingers-Long, medium, or short; thin, medium, or thick (stubby). Deformities, such as missing fingers, disfigured nails, crooked fingers, and so forth, should be carefully indicated.

l Trunk.

l Overall-Long, medium, or short (in relation to rest of body).

. Chest-Deep, medium, or flat, as seen in profile; broad, medium, or narrow, as seen from the front.

. Back-Straight, curved, humped, bowed, and so forth, as viewed in profile; straight or curved, as viewed from the rear. 

l Waist-Small, medium, or large. 

. Abdomen-Flat, medium, or protruding. 

l Hips-Broad, medium, or narrow, as seen from the front; small, medium, or large, as seen in profile. In this connection, keep in mind the basic differences between male and female figures, as discussed earlier in this section. 

l Legs-Long, medium, or short in comparison to rest of the body (average or medium legs combined with the hips constitute about half the body length); straight, bowed (bandy), or knock-kneed; muscles as slight, medium, or heavy. 

l Feet-Small, medium, or large in relation to body size. Deformities and peculiarities, such as pigeon-toed, flat-footed, clubfooted, should be carefully recorded. 

. Marks and scars-Such identifying marks as birthmarks, moles, warts, tattoos, and scars should be clearly described as to size, color, location on the body, and shape. 

. Speech-The tone and manner of a person's speech may often be very important aspects of the complete description. Habitual tone should be indicated as low, medium, or loud; soft or gruff; or by other descriptive qualities. The person's manner of speaking should be indicated as cultured, vulgar, clipped, fluent, broken English with accent (identified whenever possible), or non-English speaking (language specified when possible). Such peculiarities as stuttering, nasal twang, pronounced drawl, or a mute condition should be clearly indicated and explained. 

. Dress-Since persons may change the clothing worn, its value for descriptive purposes is limited. Noticeable habits in manner of dress, such as neatness, carelessness, and pReferences of style, should be indicated. Clothing worn by a person at the time of an offense or when last seen should be described in detail, such as military, civilian, mixed military and civilian, color(s), and condition (clean, soiled, tom, ragged, greasy, or bloodstained).

. Personal appearance-Neat or untidy; well-groomed or unkempt; refined or rough. 

. Mannerisms and habits-Often the peculiar mannerisms or traits of a person will constitute the major or key parts of this description. You should be alert to record such characteristics as the following:

1. Feminine traits in men and masculine traits in women.

2. Peculiarities in walking, moving, or taking.

3. Outward emotional instability, nervousness, or indecision.

4. Type of companions preferred.

5. Subconscious mannerisms, such as scratching the nose, running the hand through the hair, pulling on an ear, hitching up the pants, jingling keys, or flipping coins.

6. Facial tics, muscular twitches, and excessive talking with the hands.

7. Kinds of recreation preferred or hobbies pursued.

8. Jewelry worn and types of jewelry preferred.