Forensic Podiatry and Gait Analysis
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FORENSIC PODIATRY Forensic Podiatry and Gait Analysis There is growing interest in this sub-specialty. BY CARLOS SILVA, DPM orensic podiatry was first investigate their walk, footprints, and print involves several steps to ensure used in the 1970s, and specific footwear (Pal, 2017). Gait anal- its accuracy for analysis and identifi- since then it has developed yses focuses on class characteristics, cation. Footprints are not readily ap- exponentially as it began to which are features that show stance, parent at a crime scene as they may be accepted by mainstream swing phases, long or short steps, signs be on tables, rugs, or on the victims Fforensic science (DiMaggio & Vernon, of pathology, and so a multitude of themselves. Examining surfaces with 2017). The criminal justice system other characteristics (Pal, 2017). oblique lighting, chemicals, or electro- has spearheaded and validated the static detector devices make the prints 119 usefulness of forensic podiatry by Areas of Practice more visible. The process of docu- utilizing the science behind footprint Footprints are considered a signifi- menting the footprint involves clear and gait analyzation during crime cant aspect of the investigation that is photography, measurements, and scene investigations. Forensic Podi- usually deemed as “missed evidence”. positioning lights at oblique angles atry is the study of the examination Crime scene movements are recon- to enhance visibility and distinct fea- of foot-related evidence in the con- structed with footprints in order to tures. Bare footprints are measured in text of criminal investigation; areas of study include the feet, lower limb anatomy, musculoskeletal functions, Due to the uniqueness deformities and diseases of the foot (DiMaggio & Vernon, 2017). Due to a of each individual, a footprint can be used as a broad podiatrist’s extensive knowledge and experience with the entire spectrum indicator of the suspect’s features. of pedal issues, his/her knowledge aids in proving the association of an individual with a crime scene, and it properly analyze all traction within the both static and dynamic prints. Static answers further questions concerning scene. The areas of forensic podiatry information is collected by compar- the prints of the foot and footwear. that assist in revealing the identity of ing values for three parameters of the Typically, podiatrists focus on foot- the print involve the analysis and in- Stahelis Arch Index, Chippaux-Smirak print analysis, shoe-type imprints and terpretation of gait analysis, bare foot- Index, and Footprint Angle. gait analysis. Shoe imprints and gait prints, and shoeprints. These areas can Footwear in terms of the type of analysis are mainly used to analyze help determine the specific number of shoe, size, and patterns is significant a crime scene and establish personal individuals present depending upon evidence to help determine various as- identity. Footprint identification wasn’t the number of foot impressions found. pects of the crime scene, the individu- always a focal point in crime scene in- In the case of multiple footprint types, als present, and the suspect’s point of vestigation; but due to the uniqueness the investigator may be able to provide entry, or direction of travel. The size of each individual, a footprint can be insight based on the perpetrators per- and width of the foot can help deter- used as a broad indicator of the sus- sonal gait movements or style of walk- mine the height of the suspect, thus pect’s features (DiMaggio & Vernon, ing to the prints on the scene. narrowing the characteristics needed 2017). Those features may include a to pinpoint the suspect. Unique char- person’s height, weight, possible gen- Footprints acteristics such as style, manufacture der, type of shoe, and much more. Footprints have been proven to be markings, defects, and wear patterns Lower extremity experts have been unique to each individual as the odds are also critical in determining where increasingly called on to assist with of a chance match for a print in the the shoe was bought, who bought it, crime scene investigations by viewing general public are 1 in 1.28 billion. and how long ago. footage of criminals, in which they can Furthermore, the appearance of a foot © Grzegorz Kula | Dreamstime.com Continued on page 120 www.podiatrym.com JANUARY 2020 | PODIATRY MANAGEMENT FORENSIC PODIATRY Gait Analysis (from page 119) nates any assumptions or false accusa- of the gait forms of persons captured tions of an individual being under the on closed circuit television [CCTV], DUI Gait Analysis influence due to their odd walk. Gait but also covers the analysis of the se- In terms of driving under the influ- analysis is often analyzed through a quences of footprints at a crime scene ence (DUI), forensic podiatry helps de- piece of video surveillance which por- (DiMaggio & Vernon, 2017). termine whether the individual’s walk trays the unique and distinct features is due to intoxication, or because of of the suspect’s walk or run. Gait anal- any personal body disorder. This elimi- ysis usually covers the examination It is common for suspects to cover their hands and head to eliminate any evidence of them, but they do not take their footprints and movements into consideration. Conclusion For decades, criminal investigators and forensic scientists have turned to fingerprints to determine identity. More recently, however, footprints have been discovered to be as equally or even more reliable as an identifier. It is com- mon for suspects to cover their hands and head to eliminate any evidence of them, but they do not take their foot- prints and movements into consider- ation. Due to the highly specialized na- ture of forensic podiatry, the number of podiatrists practicing forensic identi- fication had been limited, but through recent developments and practice, there has been rapidly increasing interest. PM References Pal, S. (n.d.). From prints to prison: Fo- rensic podiatry and gait analysis gain ground. Retrieved from https://lermagazine.com/ cover_story/from-prints-to-prison-forensic- podiatry-and-gait-analysis-gain-ground. Vernon, D. W., & DiMaggio, J. A. (2017, June 01). Forensic Podiatry|Principles and Methods, Second. Retrieved from https:// www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315395012. Dr. Silva is President of the NYSPMA Queens Division and on staff at New York-Presby- terian in Queens and Northwell, LIJ Hospital. He is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and is a member of the American Society of Forensic Podiatry and the International Association for Identification. JANUARY 2020 | PODIATRY MANAGEMENT www.podiatrym.com.