10/21/2020    Carlos Silva, DPM

Forensic Gait Analysis: Principles and Practice Edited by: Ivan Birch, Michael Nirenberg, Wesley Vernon, Maria Birch

Forensic Gait Analysis: Principles and Practice
provides an introduction to the relatively new,
emerging field of forensic gait analysis. The
book provides the history of forensic gait
analysis, basic gait knowledge and the current
scientific standards one needs to perform
forensic gait analysis, which is typically done
by analyzing an individual recorded on video. The
science has been used widely in the United
Kingdom and with the increasing use of video
recording, the use and need for forensic gait
analysis is growing throughout the world.


The book comprises writings from the foremost
experts knowledgeable in forensic gait analysis,
including chapters written by forensic
podiatrists. The chapters include the science’s
history, fundamentals of gait, legal
considerations, initial assessment of video
footage, comparing footage, understanding the
probative value of the forensic gait evidence,
testifying in court, understanding perceptual
error, and case studies.

Importantly, the book explains the importance of
integrating forensic science into the analysis of
gait, as expertise in gait alone, while valuable,
is only one aspect of providing usable forensic
gait evidence. The book adequately balances
providing the reader with a foundation in gait
analysis and the relevant forensic science
standards. It is this balance that is integral to
being competent in forensic gait analysis and the
book explains this thoroughly.

The book also takes a frank approach to the
limitations and value of forensic gait analysis.
In this regard, forensic gait analysis is a
comparative science. It is not at the level of
DNA, and the book makes this clear.

As forensic gait analysis has been recognized by
the government in the United Kingdom, there is
discussion of the government’s expected standards
of practice for those who wish to perform
forensic gait analysis. These standards include
the requirement of using a valid, systematic
methodology, which, known as the Sheffield gait
tool, is provided in the book.

The Sheffield gait tool is one systematic,
reliable methodology of performing forensic gait
analysis, and this is one of the book’s vital
components. Though, others have written on
forensic gait analysis, no other validated,
reliable, peer-reviewed tool has been advanced.
The inclusion of the Sheffield gait tool by
itself is worth the price of the book.

The heart of the book is chapter 6 to 10, which
provide the reader with the process of performing
forensic gait analysis. These chapters detail the
workflow, from the initial communication with law
enforcement or the party requiring assistance,
through considering the video footage’s
usefulness, to writing a report and then
testifying. The process is explained in a easy to
understand manner, such that a reader without any
prior gait or forensic science training can
understand the process.

Though the book covers the principles and
practice of the forensic gait analysis, including
the Sheffield gait tool and instruction on its
use, readers should be cautioned that the book
only provides a foundation in the science. The
book will not equip one with the relevant skill,
training and experience needed to perform
forensic gait analysis in real-world, criminal
investigations. On this point, the book is
thoroughly researched and referenced, so readers
can “drill down” further on the various aspects
of forensic gait analysis by reading the
scientific articles on which the science is
based.

Conversely, those who do not intend to do
forensic gait analysis but want an understanding
of forensic gait analysis, will find ample
material here. Though not only performed by
podiatrists, forensic gait analysis is something
podiatrists may want to have a basic knowledge of
in the event they are contacted by local law
enforcement or the subject is brought up by a
patient.

In closing, Forensic Gait Analysis: Principle and
Practice is a well-researched, scientifically-
based approach to the science of forensic gait
analysis. The material is presented in a
pleasing, easy-to-understand manner that is
accessible to readers with all levels of forensic
science and gait analysis knowledge or no
knowledge. The book provides a solid foundation,
addresses legal issues and presents interesting
case studies. I suspect it will become the
industry standard.

Carlos Silva, DPM, Woodhaven, NY

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