SCIENTIFIC PREREQUISITES FOR USING AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACH IN HUMAN IDENTIFICATION BASED ON APPEARANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

In the context of increasing population mobility and multiculturalism, when traditional methods of forensic habitoscopy, focused on the Caucasoid morphological type, prove insufficiently effective for the purposes of personal identification based on appearance characteristics. Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of using an anthropological approach, widely adopted in ethnic anthropology, for human identification based on appearance characteristics. Methods: The observational method is employed to ascertain and describe empirically observable facts and patterns (the author observes and identifies a practical problem: standard methods of forensic habitoscopy are insufficiently effective when dealing with non-European types or individuals of mixed origin). The analytical method serves as the basis for structuring the material and breaking down complex concepts into their constituent parts (the author meticulously examines two main methodological concepts – typological and populational – highlighting their basic postulates, principles of trait inheritance, and research units). The comparative method is utilized as a tool to prove the author’s theses (the frequency of occurrence of appearance characteristics in various anthropological groups is compared to determine their identification significance). The generalization method is used for formulating conclusions and theoretical propositions that extend beyond individual facts (appearance is a product of multi-component interaction of genetic, environmental, adaptational, and cultural factors). The situational modeling method is applied to predict how theoretical approaches would work in specific forensic situations (scenarios are modeled (plastic surgery, age-related changes, disguise) where the anthropological approach comes to the forefront as a highly effective forensic tool). Results: The article concludes that anthropological traits of external appearance (facial parameters, pigmentation, skull morphology, etc.) are stable throughout an individual’s life. Consequently, these traits can be viewed as a dependable foundation for employing anthropological methods in forensic identification based on appearance characteristics. The methodology based on the search for “pure” anthropological types proves to be poorly suited for forensic identification in cases with complex, combined trait inheritance (relatives, mixed-race individuals). In contrast, the population-based approach, which focuses on the spectrum of group variability, provides a more accurate and relevant scientific framework for establishing identity based on appearance characteristics.