6. Forensic Gait Analysis

Forensic gait analysis is the most recent subspecialty of forensic podiatry. The work of forensic gait analysis involves the recognition and comparison of gait and features of gait, to assist the process of identification. The gait patterns and features of gait used in this process are usually those captured on closed circuit television (CCTV) footage, which needs to be examined in depth by the forensic podiatrist. As in other forensic identification processes, unknown or questioned footage of the person of interest in relation to a crime scene is compared against known footage that has been made of a known person. Conclusions are then made as to the value of the features that are seen to either match or mismatch in this comparison. This chapter defines forensic gait analysis, describes the processes involved, and comments on cautions that should be adopted while performing this work.