Identification from photographs
Comparison of facial and appearance features in photographs: the same person or different people.
from RUB 70 000
portret-expert.ru / FACIAL COMPARISON EXAMINATION
Compare
images.
Assess features.
Identification of a person from photographs and video images: comparative examination of appearance features, assessment of image suitability, analysis of surveillance camera frames and report reviews.
Suitability before comparison
01 / PhotographOriginal file
02 / Video recordingOriginal recording
- Viewing angle
- Head position and camera direction
- Lighting
- Shadows, highlights and visibility of details
- Level of detail
- Scale, sharpness and compression
Image suitabilityComparative examinationSubstantiation of conclusions
Before work begins
Features available for comparison matter.
Submit original images, complete recordings and information about their provenance. Whether comparison is possible depends on the materials' quality and comparability.
Choose questions for the expert ↗About this discipline
Identification of a person from images
Facial comparison examination is used to assess and identify a person from appearance features recorded in photographs, video frames, video recordings and other objective representations.
Main task: examine appearance features and determine whether the materials being compared show the same person, or establish that the materials are insufficient for such a conclusion.
Facial comparison examination differs from forensic photographic examination: the latter is more concerned with a photograph's technical features, methods of production and alterations to the image, whereas facial comparison concerns a person's appearance features.
Services
Main areas
Identification from video images
Examination of video frames from surveillance cameras, intercoms, video recorders and mobile devices.
from RUB 80,000
Assessment of image suitability
Determining whether photographs or video permit a facial identification examination.
from RUB 40,000
Comparison of appearance features
Analysis of the face, head, hair, ears, nose, lips, chin, build and individual features.
from RUB 75,000
Review of a facial comparison examination report
Report review: image quality, comparison materials, methods and substantiation of conclusions.
from RUB 60,000
Questions for court
Preparing properly formulated facial comparison questions for a court, investigating authority, advocate or specialist.
from RUB 15,000
Questions
Typical questions for an expert
- Identification:
Do the submitted photographs and video show the same person or different people? - Suitability:
Are the submitted images suitable for a facial identification examination? - Appearance features:
Which matching and differing appearance features are identified in the images? - Report review:
Are the conclusions of a previous facial comparison examination substantiated?
Important: conclusions are affected by viewing angle, lighting, resolution, motion blur, facial obstruction, compression, distance and the availability of comparison images.
About the expert
Andrei Viktorovich
Expert assistance with facial comparison examination, preparation of materials, questions and report reviews.
Training and experience
Professional retraining in forensic facial and appearance comparison from photographs and video.
Expert practice since 2020.
Membership and insurance
Andrei Viktorovich is a member of SUDEX.
His professional liability as a forensic expert is insured with Absolut Strakhovanie LLC for RUB 5,000,000.
Work remains within the questions posed, the quality of submitted images and verified competence. Where interdisciplinary examination involves photographic, video, trace evidence or other tasks, appropriately qualified specialists in those fields are engaged.
Approach: image suitability is assessed first: quality, viewing angle, lighting, resolution, source, availability of original files and comparison materials, and the procedural task.
Facial comparison examination does not replace legal assessment or conclusions about guilt, admissibility of evidence or classification of actions. These matters are addressed by a court, investigating authority, inquiry authority or lawyer.
What to check in a completed facial comparison report package
For a review, it is important to obtain both the final answer and materials explaining its grounds. It is useful to compare the list of images at the start of the report, the labels in comparison tables and the references in the conclusions. This establishes exactly which pair of materials was examined and whether any appendices are missing.
The link between the conclusion and comparison tables
Each disputed statement is easier to discuss with its page and image labels identified. Separate checks establish where material suitability is described, which features were compared and how differences were considered. A general statement of similarity must not leave unclear which observations support the specific answer.
If an appendix includes enlarged or processed fragments, their connection to the original images matters. A fragment's caption alone does not always explain where it came from or which transformations were applied. First clarify the contents of the submitted package: the applicant's lack of an original does not mean that the original examiner did not have it.
It is useful to distinguish objections by subject: material selection, quality assessment, feature description or substantiation of the final degree of certainty. The wording “I disagree with the answer” states a position but does not explain a verifiable contradiction. A review sets out the grounds for comments and limitations of documentary analysis; assessment of the report in a case is addressed under the established procedure.
Pricing
Indicative costs
| Identification from photographs | from RUB 70 000 |
| Identification from video images | from RUB 80,000 |
| Assessment of image suitability | from RUB 40,000 |
| Comparison of appearance features | from RUB 75,000 |
| Review of a facial comparison examination report | from RUB 60,000 |
| Questions for court | from RUB 15,000 |
The exact price depends on the number of images, photograph and video quality, viewing angles, the availability of comparison materials, the need for frame-by-frame analysis and urgency.
Indicative timeframes
- Review of an expert report — at least 5 working days.
- Specialist’s opinion — at least 10 working days.
- Court-appointed examination — at least 16 working days.
These timeframes apply to standard assignments and begin after the order has been agreed, the complete set of materials has been received and the agreed payment conditions have been met.
The complexity of the assignment, the volume of materials and the involvement of other specialists may extend the timeframe. The exact timeframe and scope of work are recorded in the order before work begins.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a person be identified from surveillance camera video?
Yes, if the image is suitable for examination: the face and appearance features are sufficiently visible, quality permits comparison, and comparison materials are available.
What does “image suitability” mean?
It means whether a photograph or frame can be used for expert comparison. Viewing angle, lighting, resolution, compression, motion blur, distance and facial obstruction affect this.
How does facial comparison examination differ from forensic photographic examination?
Facial comparison examination studies a person's appearance features, while forensic photographic examination studies technical features of photographs, production methods, alterations and image properties.
Can an existing report be reviewed?
Yes. A review analyses material suitability, methods, completeness of comparison and substantiation of conclusions.
Typical scenario
Reviewing portrait comparisons from different periods
If reference photographs come from different periods, changes in hair or facial hair cannot automatically mean different people. Suppose a report lists those differences but does not explain their significance among other available features.
Typical scenario
A facial comparison report relied on an AI-enhanced frame
If an examination uses an enlarged, enhanced frame while the original contains fewer facial details, the origin of the compared features needs checking. Processing can make an image easier to view, but apparent sharpness does not prove that every detail existed in the original signal.
Inquiry
Send photographs, video or a description of the task
You may send photographs, video frames, a video link, an appointment order, court ruling, draft questions or an existing report for review.
- identifying a person from photographs;
- identification from video images;
- assessing image suitability;
- comparison of appearance features;
- report review and questions for court.