DESCRIPTIONS

UNIT 1

DESCRIPTIONS

INTRODUCTION
Police officers will, on many occasions in their service, either be required to describe a person or
obtain a description.
Think about the topic. Discuss the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is a description?
Why do we use descriptions in police work?
What should you pay particular attention to when compiling a description of a person?
When compiling a description of property what details should you pay particular
attention to?
5. Are there any special skills required for police officers in producing a reliable and
accurate description of things which they have seen?
Activity 1
Think about the members of your class. Try to describe one of them so accurately that all
the others in the class would identify that person from your description. The following
checklist may be of help to you- but obviously you do not mention his/her name yet!
a)

b)

c)
d)
e)

Full name, including any alias/ nickname
age: he/she is 20 years old; he is 20 years of age; he is aged 20; he is a 20 year old youth;
he is in his twenties/ early 20s/ late 20s; he is about/ approximately 20.
age group: school age / young/ middle aged/ old.
age range: under…/ over….
Appearance
Height: tall/ short/ medium height/ average height
Build: fat/ heavy/ medium/ slim/ thin/ slightly built/ well built
Colour (ethnic origin): Caucasian or white European/ dark European/ Asian/ AfroCaribbean /Latin-American
Complexion: fresh/ ruddy/ pale/ pimply/ uses cosmetics
Hair: length/type- short/ long/ curly/ wavy/ bald/ colour- dark/brown/blond/grey/dyed.
He has got dark hair/ he is dark haired
Hair on face (facial hair): beard/ moustache/ dark chin/stubble
Eyes – colour of the eyes:
He has got blue eyes/ he is blue eyed
Distinctive (distinguishing) marks: birth marks/ moles/ warts/ scars/ tattoos/ deformity
other identifying marks.
Characteristics and habits: drinking/ smoking/ known associates
Dress (clothing): smart/ casual/ sporting/ scruffy/ vagrant
Items of clothing.

Try to build up a complete description of yourself.


Activity 2
Grammar: Order of adjectives
1. She has got curly blond long hair.
2. He is wearing a long black leather jacket.
3. He is a middle aged short man.

4. He is driving a black small car.
What’s wrong with these sentences?
This is generally the correct order of adjectives:
Size

Style/pattern

Colour/material

(Noun)

Put the adjectives in order in these phrases:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

grey
brown
grey
short
cotton
blue

short
large
woolen
silk

striped
dark

straight
round
long
floral
blouse
four-door

hair
eyes
sweater
dress
short-sleeved
saloon

Activity 3
Translate the following text into English:
Martorul incidentului a declarat ofiţerului anchetator că l-a văzut pe cel care a tras două focuri de
armă asupra victimei. El a descris suspectul după cum urmează:
“ Suspectul era un bărbat alb, de talie mijlocie, ỵn vârstă de aproximativ 30 de ani. Avea părul
negru tuns scurt şi mustaţă. Purta un tricou de culoare deschisă şi pantaloni negri. După atac s-a
urcat ỵntr-o maşină albă, model japonez, cred, şi a părăsit locul faptei ỵn viteză. Asta-i tot ce ỵmi
amintesc.”
Activity 4
Reading
OPERATION GRANGER
Detectives investigating a series of serious indecent assaults in Havant and Hayling Island know
that at least two were carried out by the same man.

And the methods used in the other incidents- between December 1999 and July 2000- suggest
that he could also have been responsible for at least three others.
A major inquiry team has been set up to investigate the assaults, and DNA evidence has shown
there is a positive link between two of the attacks – on a 51-year- old woman between Havant
and Emsworth and on a 13- year- old girl in a Hayling Island church yard.
Detectives are especially keen to find the perpetrator before he strikes again because his attacks
are becoming progressively more violent and showing signs of more planning.


In the most recent attack – on Friday, July 7, 2000, at 7.50pm – a 15- year- old girl was cycling
home north along the disused Hayling Billy railway line, now a public footpath. As she reached
West Lane she heard someone on the path behind her. Thinking it was a jogger or walker she
made way for them to pass, but instead she was grabbed from behind by a man.
The attacker threatened to kill her if she struggled and tried to drag her into the bushes at the side
of the footpath. But the girl managed to fight her way free and screamed for help, frightening the
man off.
The terrified girl was then able to cycle to a petrol station and phoned the police. She has been
able to describe the man who attacked her as follows:
• White
• Clean shaven
• 5ft 7ins tall
• Short grey to fair hair
• Physically weak
• Wearing a black woollen hat
• Long sleeved dark coloured top and jogging bottoms
• Gloves
She has also helped detectives piece together a CD-fit image of the attacker.
This attack bears all the hallmarks of at least four other incidents since December 1999 – and
another reported prowler incident could also have been the work of this man. Based on the
victims’ statements, the composite description of the man responsible for their ordeals is that he

is:
• Aged 35 to 55 years
• 5ft 5 in to 5ft 8in tall
• Slim to slight build
• Described by all the victims as physically weak
• Reasonably deep voice
• Smelled very strongly of cigarettes
• In four out of the five attacks he wore gloves.
In the May attack, -the only one in daylight – he wore a dark blue sweatshirt or, possibly a blue
jacket with side pockets, and pale blue or possibly white trousers or jeans.
Police officers want to hear from anyone who recognise the description.
Exercise 1
Decide which statements are true and which are false. Write T if you think the statement is
true and F if you think it is false.
1. Detectives are investigating a series of indecent exposure cases.
2. DNA evidence has shown there is no positive link between two of the attacks.
3. A 15-year-old girl was cycling home
4. She was grabbed by the hand.
5. The attacker dragged her into the bushes at the side of the footpath.
6. The victim drove off to a petrol station and phoned the medical services.
7. The girl described the man as being black, short but strong, wearing light coloured clothes.


8. The suspect is known as a heavy cigar smoker.
9. The same attacker may also be responsible for at least three other attacks.
10. Police launched a nationwide hunt for the man who carried out the assaults.
Follow - up discussion
Work in groups or with a partner and discuss the following issues:
Motive for the attack
Known description

Expected description
Follow-up investigation
Chances of the attacker being caught
Punishment for such offences under the criminal code
Activity 5
a) Vocabulary – specialist terminology related to suspects’ description. Find the right
equivalent in Romanian.
To describe a person
To give a description
To compile a description
To produce a reliable and accurate description
To draw a sketch
To build a description/picture
Personal description/word picture/spoken picture /sketch portrait
Face image
Computer description (CD) fit/identity kit/photo-fit system
Computer –generated image (E-Fit)
Mugshots/ mugbook
Features (the face or countenance)
Description of suspect/offender
To fit/ match the description
To locate suspects
Suspects wanted for
Suspects considered to be armed and dangerous
Suspect described as follows
Last seen wearing


Exercise 2
Choose the right word from the list above to complete the text :

INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
To all Station Commanders
The Serious Crimes Squad is requesting the assistance of your office in ____1______ four
suspects ____2_____ for the shooting of a Turkish businessman at the Palace Hotel in Bucharest.
The members of our Squad are in the process of ____3_____ the pictures of the alleged shooters
based on descriptions ____4_____ by witnesses. Using ____5___ from police criminal records
we’ve found no one _____6_____ the offenders’____7_____.
Photocopy pictures of the suspects will be made available to you as soon as possible.
Should your officers locate any of the suspects, report location immeadiately. Do not attempt to
apprehend . Suspects are to be considered ___8____ and ___9___.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter and if you have any further questions please do not
hesitate to contact our investigating officers.
Exercise 3
Use a verb from the left and a noun phrase from the right, make phrases describing police
activities. You can use the verbs with more than one phrase. Make up sentences of your
own.
Investigate
Conduct
Collect
Take (to)
Attend
Give
Arrange
Search (for)
Check
Interview
Describe

evidence
identification parade

crime scene examination
investigation
police files
suspects
witnesses
crimes
prints
emergency call
information

Exercise 4
Put in the correct prepositions:
POLICE BUILD PICTURE _1__ ALLEGED TERRORIST WHOSE CHOICE _2__
CAR WAS BASED _3__ SIZE _4__ BOOT
A saleswoman who sold the car used __5_ the Ealing bombing _6_ a suspected member _7__ the
Real IRA cell behind the attack said the man had chosen the vehicle _8__ the biggest boot.
Speaking yesterday as police issued an e-fit _9__ the man believed to have bought the car, the
woman said the man had paid _10__ cash and it had taken only 20 minutes _11__ him first
seeing the car untill he drove away _12__ it.


The five-door grey Saab turbo was bought __13__ the car lot _14__ Ilford, Esseex, _15__ July
19, two weeks before the explosion __16__ Ealing, west London, last week which injured 11
people.
The e-fit shows a white man _17__ his mid-30s, 5ft 10in _18__ 5ft 11in tall and _19__ slim
build. He has straight blond hair and a pitted face which suggests he suffered _20___ acne
__21__ some time. The man has a slightly dimpled chin and speaks _22__ a soft Irish accent.
After buying the car he asked directions _23__ the A46, known _24__ Londoners as the north
circular road, suggesting he was not local.
Re-read the text and translate it into Romanian.

Use all information in the text to fill in the “Police Report” at the end of this unit.
Activity 6

PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY AND INJURIES

Injuries - vocabulary
To receive/sustain injuries
Minor/ serious/ injuries
Slightly injured
Severely injured
Killed
Deaths – fatalities
Casualities
Wounding – to wound
Stab – to stab
Concussion – to concuss
Bruise – bruising
Shotgun wound
Exercise 5
Translate the following sentences into Romanian:
Two police officers received serious injuries while attemting to quell a disturbance outside a
town centre discotheque.
1) The post mortem examination revealed that death had been caused by a single shotgun
wound to the head.
2) The victim of the assault complained that he had two broken ribs and bruising to his head
and back.
3) The murderer stabbed his victim in the heart with a kitchen knife.


4) No casualities were reported in last week’s accident but the driver was treated for severe

concussion
5) The gunman shot his victim once in the chest.
Activity 7
LISTENING
MISSING FATHER AND SON
Before listening
Discuss the following questions with a partner:
1. Why do people go missing?
2. What do you do if you are concerned about a missing person?
3. Are there any specific requirements in reporting a missing person to the
police?
4. Is there a national service or helpline one can apply to when there is a longterm absence or where there is cause for concern?
5. What problems are associated with finding persons who go missing?
6. Give your own opinions (speculate) as to what may happen to a missing
person.
In such cases, it is common to speculate about where a person may be now or what may have
happened to her.
So we can speculate about the present using
May/might +infinitive
May/might be +….ing ( may be holding; might be keeping her prisoner; might be
working)
Or about the past using
May/might have + past participle
May/might have been + past participle (PASSIVE)
Examples
She/he may be with her/his relatives in countryside.(PRESENT)
Someone may have abducted her/him (PAST) and may be keeping her/him
hostage.
During listening
Make notes while listening to the tape. Write down all important details.

After listening
You have just listened to a police report. Use the notes you have made to answer the
following questions.
1. How old is the missing son?
2. Since when have the pair been missing?
3. What is the prime concern of the police?
4. How tall is Simon ( the father)?


5. What distinctive mark does he have? Where?
6. What was the baby wearing when last seen?
7. What vehicle (s) could the pair be travelling in?
8. Where have the police displayed posters featuring photographs of the pair?
9. What is Simon keen on?
10. What do the police urge the father to do?
Activity 8
Translate the following text into English:
POLIŢIST UCIS CU MITRALIERA LA TIMIŞOARA
Un poliţist a fost ucis cu focuri de mitralieră, iar un altul a fost izbit cu maşina ỵn timp ce
urmăreau un autoturism furat. Este pentru prima oară când hoţii recurg la mitralieră ỵn
confruntarea cu apărătorii legii şi ordinii
Un poliţist din Timişoara a fost ucis cu focuri de mitralieră, ỵn zori zilei de duminică, 4 martie
2001, ỵn timp ce urmăreau o maşină furată. Un alt poliţist implicat ỵn urmărire a fost izbit cu
maşina. Poliţia din Timişoara a primit, sâmbătă noaptea, o sesizare privind furtul unui autoturism
Mercedes de pe o stradă din oraş. Maşina a fost dată ỵn urmărire locală şi a fost identificată, la
puţin timp, de o patrulă mobilă de poliţie, care i-a făcut semn şoferului să oprească. Persoana
aflată la volan a redus iniţial viteza, după care l-a lovit ỵn plin pe unul din subofiţerii de poliţie,
Ioan Mateescu, aruncându-l la doi metri distanţă, pe carosabil.
Celălalt membru al echipajului de poliţie, plutonier major Saşa Disici, a urcat ỵn maşina
personală şi a plecat în urmărirea autoturismului furat. Disici a luat legătura telefonic cu

poliţistul lovit, pe care l-a anunţat că ỵn maşina urmărită se aflau trei persoane care au deschis
focul asupra sa, cu o mitralieră. „ Trag cu o mitralieră. Mă ciuruiesc!”- acestea au fost ultimele
cuvinte ale poliţistului. Mateescu a plecat cu un autoturism în căutarea colegului său, pe care l-a
găsit pe marginea şoselei, împuşcat mortal în piept şi cu pistolul din dotare în mâna stângă.
Poliţiştii timişoreni au realizat portretul robot al uneia din persoanele implicate ỵn uciderea unui
poliţist ỵn timpul exercitării atribuţiilor legale. Poliţiştii susţin că unul dintre agresori este brunet,
cu părul lung, are faţa ovală, nasul lung, ochi mari, negri, şi fruntea îngustă. Ei afirmă că
agresorul are în jur de 30 de ani, aproximativ 1,80m ỵnălţime şi era ỵmbrăcat cu o geacă maro din
piele.
( „ Monitorul”, 5 martie, 2001)


Activity 9
Try to describe the two persons photographed here.

What are the most important distinguishing features for each?
Activity 10
Identify and correct the mistakes in each sentence
1. He is long brown hair.
2. She has a freshly complexion.
3. He is average high.
4. She has dark brown dye hair.
5. He is blue eyes.
6. He is a tattoo on his right forearm.
7. The suspect was casual dressed.
8. He is known to associate with drug addictions.
9. The suspect uses heavy make-ups.
10. He is a white european.
Border police and other law enforcement officers have special training to enable
them to spot imposters! Can you identify from the two photographs if it is the

same man?


POLICE REPORT
1. Person reporting:
Address:
Complainant:
Address:
Incident as Reported
Reported To:
2.Where Committed
House No.
3.When committed
At/ Between
and
If M/Vehicle Used
Show Reg. No. (or Part)

Age

Time& Date
Name of premises
Street
District or Town
Time
Day Date
Month
(24hrs)

Sex

Year

No.of
witnesses


Description of Suspect/Offender
Dress
Marks

Smart
Tattoos

Casual
Scar

Sporting
Deformity

Enter Appropriate Code in Box Below
Heigh
Build
Ethnic
t
origin
1 under 1 fat
1 White
1
1.60m

European
2 1.602 heavy
2 Dark
2
1.75m
European
3 over
3 medium 3 Asian
3
1.75m
4
4 slim
4 Oriental
4
5
5 thin
5 Arabian
5
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
8

9 un9 un9 unknown 9
known
known
Offender/Suspect Name&Address

Hair
colour
balck

1 local

brown

2 north

ginger

3 south

blonde
white
grey
bald
dyed
unknown

4
5
6
7

8
9

Reported
Sex
C.R.O.No.

Scruffy
Other
identifying
marks

Accent

Scots
Welsh
Irish
foreign
unknown

Suspected
DOB

Vagrant

Age
group
1 school
age
2 young

Age
Range
1 under
12yrs
2 12-13yrs

3 middle
age
4 old
5
6
7
8
9

3

14-16yrs

4
5
6
7
8
9

17-20yrs
21-29yrs
30-39yrs

40-49yrs
50-59yrs
60yrs&
over

Wanted

Complainant requests no publicity (Tick)
Officer in Case ………………………..
Officers Attending Scene (Officers Time and Date of Arrival )
Section Officer
Reporting Officer
Plain Clothes
C.I.D.
Crime &Vandalism Squad
Crime Prevention
Other Supervising Officer
Others
Witnesses: (Name, address- nature of evidence)


Report of Investigating Officer: I have made enquiries as follows:
SCENE
Searched
Fingerprint examination
result awaited
Occupants interviewed
Visitors
Relations
Employees

Tradesmen
Others

VICINITY OF SCENE
Local residents
Tradesmen
Passers by
Suspected persons
Suspected vehicles
Unusual telephone
calls

SEARCH OF AREA FOR
Route taken by offender
Abandoned property
Instrument
Abandoned vehicles
ENQUIRIES TO TRACE SUSPECTS
Places of entertainment
Hospitals/surgeries
Licensed premises
Places of refreshment
Hotels/hostels
Gipsy encampments
Observations to be kept
Photographs shown
Informants

Periodic visits
Photo-fit shown

Liaison
C.R.O.
Crime Int.
P.N.C.
Date

Officer

Rank & No.