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Forensic Podiatry in the Forensic Community

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Forensic Podiatry in the Forensic Community CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION Goals and Objectives This CME article for podia- trists, residents, interns. and stu- dents will focus on the definition and discipline of forensic podiatry in the forensic community. The article will introduce the reader to the new subspecialty field of forensic podiatry, stressing static barefoot analysis, insole impres- sion analysis, methodologies and expert witness testimony. After reading the article, the reader will have gained knowledge, un- derstanding, and an appreciation of forensic podiatry. At the completion of the ar- Forensic Podiatry ticle, the reader will be able to 141 understand and appreciate the po- diatric role in forensic medicine and be able to identify, describe, Podiatrists now play a key role and differentiate the techniques related to barefoot/insole analy- in solving crimes. sis, the methodologies utilized, and expert witness testimony. In addition, the reader will be able BY BRYAN B. KAGAN, DPM to analyze barefoot prints and in- sole prints. Welcome to Podiatry Management’s CME Instructional program. Our journal has been approved as a sponsor of Con- tinuing Medical Education by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education. You may enroll: 1) on a per issue basis (at $25.00 per topic) or 2) per year, for the special rate of $195 (you save $55). You may submit the answer sheet, along with the other information requested, via mail, fax, or phone. You can also take this and other exams on the Internet at www.podiatrym.com/cme. If you correctly answer seventy (70%) of the questions correctly, you will receive a certificate attesting to your earned credits. You will also receive a record of any incorrectly answered questions. If you score less than 70%, you can retake the test at no additional cost. A list of states currently honoring CPME approved credits is listed on pg. 150. Other than those entities currently accepting CPME-approved credit, Podiatry Management cannot guarantee that these CME credits will be acceptable by any state licensing agency, hospital, managed care organization or other entity. PM will, however, use its best efforts to ensure the widest acceptance of this program possible. This instructional CME program is designed to supplement, NOT replace, existing CME seminars. The goal of this program is to advance the knowledge of practicing podiatrists. We will endeavor to publish high quality manuscripts by noted authors and researchers. If you have any questions or comments about this program, you can write or call us at: Podiatry Management, P.O. Box 490, East Islip, NY 11730, (631) 563-1604 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Following this article, an answer sheet and full set of instructions are provided (pg. 150).—Editor Introduction and law and assists in the investiga- disputes between individuals, organi- Forensic science is the compila- tions and adjudications of criminal zations or between the two in which tion of systematic methodologies and civil cases. Criminal law cases punitive fines/compensation is award- to understand the physical world deal with crime and the legal pun- ed to the victim. Examples of civil through observation and experimen- ishment of the offense.1 These can cases include landlord and tenant dis- tation. It links people, places, and involve theft, assault, arson, robbery, putes, divorce proceedings, property things that are involved in and with murder, and trafficking of controlled disputes, and personal injury. criminal activities. It merges science substances. Civil law cases deal with Continued on page 142 www.podiatrym.com JANUARY 2015 | PODIATRY MANAGEMENT CME Continuing Medical EducationForensic (from page 141) Many disciplines in forensic science are evolving. Forensic biology includes forensic pa- thology, archaeology,2 odontol- ogy, entomology, serology, DNA analysis, and blood stain analysis. Forensic chemistry includes drugs, arson, explo- sives, toxicology, and paints. Trace evidence includes hair, fibers, soils, and glass. Physical evidence includes friction ridge examination, questioned docu- ments, firearms, tool marks, tire Figure 1A: Tire Impression. Tire Tread and Tire Track Evi- treads, shoe prints, and any im- dence, Law Enforcement Training Network, p 13 ©2009 pression evidence (Figures 1a- c). Other areas, to name a few, include forensic engineering, botany, sic investigations. It shows linkage Figure 1C: Reading the Soil. Galvin B, “Reading psychology, nursing, accounting, fraud of an individual with a crime scene the Soil” Evidence Technology Magazine, July/ investigation, computer forensics, and through pedal evidence and answers August 2013, 18 jurisprudence.3 any legal questions concerning the 142 Forensic podiatry falls under the main category of physical evidence. Forensic podiatry is a subspecial- foot or footwear that requires knowl- ty of podiatric medicine and offers edge of the functioning foot.”4 an exciting new aspect of podiatric medical practice as an evolving dis- History cipline in the forensic sciences. “The The history of American forensic discipline of forensic podiatry ap- podiatry began in September 2000 plies sound and researched podiatric when the “First Annual Forensic Po- knowledge and experience in foren- diatry Seminar” was held in Scott- sdale, Arizona. Eighteen podiatrists and several law enforcement personnel at- tended. For comparison, the first forensic confer- Figure 1B: Shoeprint. Personal photo file ence held by the Inter- national Association for tablished within the structure of the Identification almost 100 International Association for Identi- years ago in California fication (IAI) with the help of ASPF attracted 22 law enforce- members.”5 The role and scope of ment personnel. Member- forensic podiatry practice was delin- ship now stands in the eated by the IAI; “forensic podiatrists thousands. “In September assist in the identification of perpe- 2003, the American Soci- trators of crime evaluating the static ety of Forensic Podiatry and dynamic foot and the footwear (ASFP) was formed (Fig- that housed it, to include barefoot ure 2). By-laws were or- prints (in blood, dirt, dust or in the ganized and accepted, and sock liner), foot wear (outsole and 22 individuals joined as upper wear patterns relative to foot charter members. In July pathology) and Closed Circuit Televi- Figure 2: Forensic Podiatry Discipline. Forensic Podiatry Disci- 2007, a forensic podiatry sion (CCTV) Evidence.”6 pline, International Association for Identification website. sub-committee was es- Continued on page 143 JANUARY 2015 | PODIATRY MANAGEMENT www.podiatrym.com MedicalContinuing Education CME impres- sion. The forensic podi- atrist’s expertise is therefore re- quired 1) to assess the effects of the foot and lower limb function. 2) to evaluate the wear associ- ated with a foot/ shoe interface Figures 3a-c). 3) to compare Figures 3B/3C: Wear Associated with Foot/Shoe Interface. Person- shoe size consid- al Photo File erations (Figures Figure 3A: Wear Associated with Foot/Shoe 4a-b). Interface. DiMaggio J—Instructor, Forensic 4) to compare Podiatry Training Class, Tucson, Arizona, actly the same, no two bare foot- the gait patterns of individuals cap- November 2008 prints or barefoot impressions can tured on CCTV with those of suspect- be identical unless created by the ed individuals (Figure 5). Forensic (from page 142) same individual. “The forensic po- 5) to identify human remains 143 diatrist’s evaluation of the evidence from comparison of podiatry records The Human Foot The human foot is determined initially by its genetic code. The volar pads at approximately 8 embryolog- The volar pads at approximately ical weeks develop into unique fric- 8 embryological weeks develop into unique friction tion ridges, and foot and toe prints. Influenced during growth by the per- ridges, and foot and toe prints. sonal biomechanics of each individ- ual, injuries and other physiological changes and pathologies, the foot is often necessary because of the and x-rays with the feet of deceased develops into an adult structure that complexity of the human foot and individuals. is highly individual in its form, size, the subtle variances inherent to such and shape. Since no two feet are ex- and the footwear housing it”. (John Education and Training DiMaggio-2003 personal corre- A forensic podiatrist must attain spondence) In Crown vs. Ches- a DPM degree or a BSc degree in po- ter-Nash 2006, it was necessary diatry. A level of expertise to practice to determine if more than one in- in a medical-legal context must be de- dividual could have worn a shoe veloped. A Masters degree in forensic that was linked to a murder and podiatry, forensic science, and/or fo- how much wear would be neces- rensic human identification is another sary before leaving a permanent pathway to pursue. The forensic podi- atrist must continue his education in expert witness training programs, forensic podiatry, or related training workshops and/or seminars. He/ she must continue his/her profes- sional development with participa- tion in research activities in forensic podiatry, and would be expected to publish in forensic journals or mag- azines, and/or present his research results at forensic conferences/sem- inars (Figure 6). Figure 4A: Shoe Size Considerations I. JAPMA, March/ Figure 4B: Shoe Size Consideration II. Personal “Evidence is any object that April 2013 vol 103, Nov 114 Photo File Continued on page 144 www.podiatrym.com JANUARY 2015 | PODIATRY MANAGEMENT CME Continuing Medical EducationForensic (from page 143) gy (Analysis, Compari- son, Evaluation—Veri- fication). Analysis is the as- sessment of the foot- print to determine if the detail quality is reasonably sufficient to classify and evalu- ate. In Bare Footprint/ Outline (Figure 9), the foot length/width, height approximation, Figure 6: Training Seminars. digital pattern, pressure zones, morphology, shoe size, gender, skin creases, and papillary Figure 5: Gait Patterns. Personal Photo File ridge pattern are all an- alyzed. The basic foot can establish that a crime has been is comprised of three committed or that can link a crime zones: forefoot-40%, and its victim or perpetrator.”7 “In- mid-foot-30% and rear- formation is whether in the form of foot-30%.
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