He is the magistrate in charge of the murder investigation. Despite a physical profile that may seem insignificant to society, he is a genius who destroys the subconscious of his victims by using psychological science like a work of art. From the moment he reads Raskolnikov's article, he suspects that he could be the killer. Even without definitive physical evidence (the items under the stone, stains, etc.), he forces Raskolnikov to internal exhaustion—leading him to tear down his own logic and pride toward confession—by circling him like a fly through dual-character games. While he represents justice, he also derives a sadistic yet philosophical pleasure from playing a mental game of cat and mouse.
A solitary thirty-five-year-old who is unmarried, rumored to have no family, dedicated entirely to philosophy, old case files, and the minds of defendants, probing only the psychological depths of justice. He is one of the most cunning minds in the city of half-madmen, St. Petersburg.
Portly, paunchy, slightly under medium height, about thirty-five years old. He has a round head, hair cut short, no sideburns, cleanshaven, and a large bump on the back of his neck. His complexion is sickly/yellowish; his eyes are a watery, transparent blue and covered by white eyelashes. He has surprisingly feminine movements that contrast with a physique one might expect to be in military uniform.
Zamyotov
The young, inexperienced assistant at the police station whom he uses as a pawn.
Dmitri Prokofiç Razumihin
The blundering but loyal friend he uses to leak the truth to Raskolnikov indirectly.
Rodion Romanoviç Raskolnikov
The prey/rival with whom he fights a high-stakes intellectual duel.