Using Data on Anthropometric Characteristics Asymmetry in Criminalistics, Forensic Examination and Biometric Technologies

The symmetry and asymmetry of human body parts and organs, as well as the proportions of its dimensional characteristics, have been of interest to anatomists, physiologists, physicians and artists since the Middle Ages. In the 19[th] century, criminologists, criminal anthropologists and criminal psychologists started their attempts on identifying consistent links between presence and manifestations of asymmetry and criminal and other antisocial tendencies of individuals. During the same period forensic knowledge of human asymmetries was systematized to develope and refine systems for anthropometric registration of criminals and verbal description of human appearance. The accumulated experience of using human asymmetry data is currently successfully applied in forensic traceological and portrait examinations as well as in forensic medicine. Modern biometric technologies, based on advances in forensic science and anthropology, incorporate data on human anthropometric asymmetries for the purposes of authentication, identification, and biometric searches.

Information on the specific manifestations of asymmetry in anthropometric characteristics and further scientific research into this phenomenon will contribute to the scientific substantiation of the conclusions of forensic examinations conducted to detect incorrect findings of biometric searches when identifying wanted persons as well as to the improvement of modern biometric technologies.

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