Permutations, and player lights?

Hello. I would like to know how I could go about adding permutations to a character ingame. Our programmer is trying again tomorrow, but I figure I could help by getting an answer. I would like to know how we can make a player be able to customize his biped. This question is broken into two parts. 1. How can we make it say a player can add on to his standard biped model, by selecting preset permutations? Something like what had been done in Halo 3, where the player could select different types of permutations to add to his player. 2. We would like to add dimly illuminated spots on the default player. These lights will start blue, and when dead, turn read until the dead biped disappears. If this is possible, maybe it can be taken a step further. Would there be a way for the player to select what color lights?

I ask this because I am not the programmer. I am the artist, and know nothing about programming. This project is not major, it is just recreational, so please do not flame me saying that I have no chance. I would like straight forward and mature answers. If neither of these can be done, thank you for at least looking over our question.

Thanks, ~Preston