portrait parlé
/ˌpɔːtreɪt ˈpɑːleɪ/ /ˌpɔːtreɪ pɑːˈleɪ/(also portrait parle)
noun
A detailed description of a person's physical characteristics in mainly anthropometric terms, especially one of a type used in the identification of criminals.
- Developed by the French criminologist Alphonse Bertillon (1853–1914)..
Origin
Early 20th century. From French portrait parlé, lit. ‘spoken portrait’ from portrait + parlé, use as adjective of past participle of parler.