Identification - It is the process of naming. recognizing or pinpointing persons, objects, places, or events.
Observation - It is the perception of details pertaining to persons, objects, places or events through the use of one or more of the five senses.
Description - It is communication by means of woods, signs, gestures, sketches, or other means wherein one person conveys to another his/her own impression of his/her own conversation.
General Techniques In Observation And Description (Montojo, 2006):
Persons
A. Indoor Places
Factors to Consider in General Description (Montojo, 2006):
Observation - It is the perception of details pertaining to persons, objects, places or events through the use of one or more of the five senses.
Description - It is communication by means of woods, signs, gestures, sketches, or other means wherein one person conveys to another his/her own impression of his/her own conversation.
General Techniques In Observation And Description (Montojo, 2006):
Persons
- General characteristics (age, sex, race, etc.)
- Specific characteristics (color of hair, eyes, etc.)
- Changeable characteristics (clothes, shoes, etc.)
- General type of the item including size and color
- Specific distinguishing characteristics
- Distinguishing marks, damage or alterations
A. Indoor Places
- Location of the place (including section)
- Room number of other designation
- Details of immediate entrance
- Exact location in relation with other objects
- General location
- Exact location
- Outstanding object
- Details of the scene
- Time of occurrence
- Location
- Sequence
- Objects involved
- Persons involved
- Resultant factors
Factors to Consider in General Description (Montojo, 2006):
- Name - If known, include alias/aliases.
- Sex - Usually no problem here, but in the age of "unisex" look it can cause some confusion. If there is any doubt, examine the question in greater depth.
- Complexion - Describe whether florid, sallow, pale, fair, or dark.
- Race or Nationality - Describe the general racial category such as white, african-american, oriental, etc. In addition, it may also be possible to identify actual nationality or region of the country through speech, accent, type of clothing, etc.
- Age - One of the most difficult problems of personal description and a category subject to much error. In the absence of any positive indication of age, it may be the best to use of five year spans such as 20 to 25 years old or even more general age groups such as teenager, young adult, middle age, etc.
- Height - May be described as in two inch increments such as 5 feet, 2 inches to 10 inches. However, it is better to compare the subject to some other person present for a height estimate.
- Weight - May be given in ten pounds increments such as 140 to 150 pounds. As with height, it is best to compare the subject the subject with some known person/s.
- Build - A general type of physical stature such as small, regular or large with emphasis on anything unusual such as thin, stocky, obese, stooped, etc.
- Neck - As to length, it may be described as normal, long, short, and very short. As to size, it may be described as normal, thin, and thick. Other facts to be considered are a large Adam's apple, goiter, and other growths and scars.
- Shoulders - As to size, it may be described as normal, broad, and narrow. As to carriage, it can be erect, stooped, right high, or left high. As to shape, it may be square, normal, flat or rounded.
- Chest - As to size, it can be normal, broad or narrow. As to shape, it can be normal, deep, narrow, flat or pigeon.
- Stomach and Abdomen - May be described as flat, sunken, bulging, high under ribs, low rounded or sagging.
- Waist and Hips - It can be broad, normal or narrow. As to relative length, it may be described as normal, long and short. As to seat, it can be flat and protruding due to skeletal structure or heavy muscles. As to carriage, the hips can be described as held in line with the body, lateral movement forward and backward thrust.
- Arms - As to length, it can be normal, long and short. As to girth, it can be thin, normal or large. As to carriage, it may be held tightly into sides, elbows bend and away from sides or prominent arm movement in walking.
- Hands - As to length, it may be described as normal, long or short. As to breadth, it can be normal, broad or narrow. Indicate whether the subject was right or left handed by which hand he/she used or on which wrist he/she wore a watch. The fingers may be described as normal, broad, short, deformed or missing. Abnormal conditions like arthritic joints or extra finger/s should be considered also.
- Legs - As to length, it can be normal, long, short, or unequal. As to girth, it can be normal, thin or thick. As to shape, it can be normal, bowed, knock-knee, or other abnormalities.
- Feet - As to size, it can be normal, small, large, in length or width. As to carriage, it can be held loosely, slapped down on ground with great force or tip toes. Abnormal conditions like toes turned outward or inward, flat feet/foot or club feet/foot should be observed.
- Scars - Describe its location, size, and shape.
- Tattoos - Describe its location, size, color, words, letter or pictures.