Forensic Gait Analysis begins with an introduction to the intersection of podiatric medicine with forensic investigation, a study which links a suspect to a crime through analysis of his or her style of movement - how an individual walks, runs and bends. Gait analysis is a longstanding component of the diagnostic and therapeutic toolset of medical disciplines, although the knowledge of gait goes back much further. It has become the subject of laboratory analysis and has attracted the interest of technology engineers and others. The development and use of gait analysis as an investigative, and forensic tool, has grown in recent years and is an emerging discipline in the quest for actionable evidence. The book begins by examining the case that used gait analysis as expert evidence in a criminal case ( Old Bailey Central Criminal Court London . R. v . Saunders , 2000) .
From there, coverage provides a thorough yet concise explanation of how the musculoskeletal system and biomechanics affect gait. An overview of how videos of perpetrators are analysed is presented, with direction as to what information can be deduced from the footage and how recovered footage can be compared to the known - aka 'control' - footage of a suspect. Statistical data such as probability of gait match and scales of comparison are provided, along with technical factors for consideration in computer hardware and software. Features: Presents concise background on the musculoskeletal system and biomechanics involved in gait analysis Includes numerous case studies, photographs and diagrams to further illustrate key principles Examines the technical and scientific basis of the field, including software use and statistics Provides the necessary guidelines on how to compare surveillance images to control footage for use in identification and investigations Numerous case histories illustrate gait analysis principles, and guidance is provided in the areas of report writing and giving testimony. Forensic Gait Analysis will be a welcome addition to podiatrists, police investigators, forensic scientists and legal experts looking for detailed information on this growing field.