Forensic Podiatry (eBook)

Preface 6
Acknowledgements 8
Contents 10
Part I General Forensic Concerns 16
Chapter 1: The Crime Scene and Crime Laboratory 17
1.1 General Concerns Regarding Pedal Evidence 17
1.2 Crime Scene 18
1.3 Discovery of Physical Evidence 19
1.4 Enhancing Bare Footprint Evidence 19
1.5 Collecting Questioned Bare Footprint Evidence 22
1.6 Collection of Evidence 24
1.7 Chain of Custody 24
1.8 Crime Laboratory 24
References 25
Chapter 2: Forensic Podiatry Principles and Human Identification 27
2.1 The Purpose of Human Identification 27
2.2 Forensic Podiatry Practice: Principles and Definitions 28
2.2.1 Forensic Podiatry Is a Science 28
2.2.2 Forensic Podiatry Is Science Used for Forensic Purposes 30
2.2.3 Pedal Evidence Is One Form of Physical Evidence 30
2.2.4 Criteria for Usable Physical Evidence 31
2.2.5 Class and Individual Characteristics 33
2.2.6 Class Characteristics Differ in Evidential Value 33
2.2.7 Physical Evidence and the Chain of Custody 34
2.2.8 Expert Opinion Standards 35
2.2.9 ACE-V(R) Methodology 35
2.3 Expert Witness Background and Qualifications 36
References 37
Part II Podiatric Forensic Concerns 39
Chapter 3: Photographic Techniques 40
3.1 Digital Camera Revolution 40
3.2 Equipment Requirements 41
3.2.1 Camera 41
3.2.2 Camera Support 44
3.2.3 Copy Stand 44
3.2.4 Tripod 45
3.2.5 Lighting 46
3.2.6 Flash 47
3.2.7 External Lighting 47
3.2.8 Forensic Light Sources 48
3.2.9 Accessory Equipment 49
3.3 Preparing for Image Capture 49
3.4 General Support of the Process 52
3.4.1 Hardware 52
3.4.2 Printer 52
3.4.3 Software 53
3.5 Digital Image Capture Techniques 53
3.5.1 Equipment Selection 53
3.5.2 Equipment Inspection 54
3.5.3 Equipment Set Up 54
3.5.4 Image Management 57
References 62
Chapter 4: Bare Footprint1 Identification 63
4.1 Brief History 64
4.2 Obtaining Exemplar Prints 64
4.3 Variations in the Exemplar Footprint Collection Phase 66
4.4 Assessment of the Bare Footprint 67
4.4.1 Gunn Method 70
4.4.2 Optical Center Method 71
4.4.3 Overlay Method 72
4.4.4 Defining the Rearmost Aspect of the Heel 75
4.4.5 Interpretative Aspects 77
4.5 Biomechanical Examination 82
4.6 Comparison 82
4.7 Evaluation 84
References 87
Chapter 5: Footwear Examination and Analysis 89
5.1 Introduction 89
5.2 Footwear Assessment: Initial Considerations 91
5.3 Footwear Assessment Phase 1 92
5.4 Footwear Assessment Phase 2 97
5.5 Shoe Owner Assessment 99
5.6 Footwear Assessment Phase 3 100
5.7 Footwear Comparison and Evaluation 101
5.7.1 Direct Comparisons 101
5.7.1.1 Marked Shoe Size 101
5.7.1.2 Sized Shoe Length 101
5.7.1.3 Upper Crease Marks 102
5.7.1.4 Upper Distortions and Inner Lining Wear 103
5.7.1.5 Toe Impressions 104
5.7.1.6 Foot Impressions 104
5.7.1.7 Outsole Wear Patterns 105
5.8 Evaluation (Interpretation) 105
5.8.1 Marked Shoe Size 106
5.8.2 Sized Shoe Length 106
5.8.3 Upper Crease Marks 106
5.8.4 Upper Distortions 109
5.8.5 Toe Impressions 110
5.8.6 Foot Impressions 110
5.8.7 Outsole Wear Patterns 112
5.9 Conclusions 113
References 113
Chapter 6: Forensic Gait Analysis 115
6.1 Basic Principles 115
6.1.1 Definition 117
6.2 Method of Comparison 118
6.3 Methodology 118
6.3.1 Collection of Known Footage 119
6.4 Assessment 119
6.4.1 Quality Requirements 119
6.4.2 Recognizable Features 123
6.5 Comparison and Evaluation 124
6.6 Cautions 125
6.7 Conclusions 126
References 126
Chapter 7: Identification from Podiatry Records 128
7.1 Introduction 128
7.2 Method of Identification 130
7.2.1 Assessment of the Questioned Foot 131
7.2.2 Assessment of Podiatric Records 132
7.3 Comparison 133
7.3.1 Matched Features 133
7.4 Strength Scale 143
7.5 Conclusions 143
References 144
Part III Pedal Case Work 145
Chapter 8: Case Studies in Forensic Podiatry 146
8.1 Footprint Case Study (Crown vs. Clarke 2005) 146
8.2 Footwear Case Study (Crown vs. Chester-Nash 2006) 150
8.3 Footwear Case Study (2002) 154
8.4 Footwear Case Study (2007) 157
8.5 Phoenix Homicide Case 159
8.6 Forensic Gait Analysis: Case History (Crown vs. Saunders 2000) 169
References 172
Part IV Medicolegal Concerns 173
Chapter 9: Expert Witness Considerations and Standards of Practice 174
9.1 The Expert Witness 174
9.2 Standards of Practice 175
9.2.1 Personal and Professional Conduct 176
9.2.2 Professional Practice 177
9.2.3 Professional Competence 177
9.2.4 Informing Others Where There Is the Potentialfor Miscarriages of Justice 178
9.2.5 Providing Quality Assurance 178
9.2.6 Accept Full Responsibility for All Work You Have Either Undertaken or Participated in 178
9.2.7 Being Prepared to Change an Opinion in the Presenceof New Developments, Information, or Research Findings 179
9.2.8 Confidentiality Should Be Appropriately Preserved 179
9.3 Ten Essentials for Forensic Podiatry Practice 179
9.4 Summary 184
References 185
Glossary of Podiatric Terms 186
Index 190