Forensic Podiatry

John A. DiMaggio ● Wesley Vernon

Forensic Podiatry

Principles and Methods

John A. DiMaggioForensic Podiatry Consulting Services, PLLC Bandon, OR 97411, USAjad4n6pod@aol.com

Wesley Vernon OBEPodiatry Service, Sheffield PCT Staffordshire University and Huddersfield UniversityDerbyshire SK23 7LH, UKwesvernon@yahoo.co.uk

ISBN 978-1-61737-975-8 e-ISBN 978-1-61737-976-5DOI 10.1007/978-1-61737-976-5Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Humana Press, c/o Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden.The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights

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Humana Press is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)

v

Preface

The human foot is a complex body part composed of 52 bones, which are 25% of all the bones in the body. Because of the foot’s unique structure it allows the human being to stand up and walk on two feet with a stride that cannot be duplicated by any other creature on earth. That being said however, the foot is viewed by the public and the medical professions as a “minor” part of the body, held in low esteem and hidden in a shoe.

Forensic Podiatry – Principles and Methods has finally been completed after numerous requests by the podiatric community for such a work. The main premise of Hilderbrand’s book, Footwear – The Missed Evidence, is the underutilization of footwear evidence.

Coincidentally, the importance of pedal evidence has also been undervalued. As footwear evidence has become more commonly utilized in forensic situations so has pedal evidence. Over the past 20 years, the discipline of forensic podiatry has grown and developed to become an important addition to the forensic community.

Since this field is still in its relative infancy compared with the other disciplines, this work should be considered as capturing developments in the field to date and these developments are expected to continue for the forseeable future. The principles and methods utilized in this text are scientifically based, and have been accepted and tested by the general and podiatric communities over the years. One caveat that must be emphasized is that teamwork is important, whether it’s pedal evidence or base-ball. The forensic podiatrist is part of the forensic team including, most commonly, the footwear or marks examiner, laboratory personnel, criminalist, case detective, investigator, and forensic anthropologist.

This book can be utilized in many different areas in the forensic and medical fields. The undergraduate and postgraduate medical students and the student of criminal justice studies should find this text an excellent resource. The podiatrist who is well-versed in foot morphology, pathology, and biomechanics will find this book helpful relative to the forensic sciences that must be understood fully. The criminalists will utilize this as a review of the techniques used at the crime scene as well as the techniques used to fabricate exemplars. The footwear examiner, forensic anthropologist, attorneys, lawyers, and investigators will find it invaluable in researching the field as well as understanding the methodologies and principles used in determining the value of the pedal evidence.

vi Preface

This book is divided into four parts:Part I discusses general forensic concerns, including the crime scene, from an

informative perspective as well as the tasks performed by the crime laboratory. For the forensic podiatric practitioner this will be informative and apply to the general knowledge that is required. It also includes forensic podiatry principles and the subject of human identification. The basics of the forensic methodology that are utilized for physical evidence, the method, ACE-V (R), and other aspects of human identification are presented.

Part II deals with specific forensic podiatry concerns. Included is a chapter on digital photographic techniques that will provide a review for some and teach the basics to others who are interested in performing these tasks themselves. The reader will find the chapter on bare footprint identification and footwear examination and analysis undeniably the most important chapters in the book relative to the majority of pedal evidence concerns. Chapter 6 on forensic gait and analysis presents what might be considered the newest exciting addition to the podiatrist’s forensics arma-mentarium. Chapter 7 deals with the identification of pedal remains from podiatry records that are important primarily but not exclusively in mass disaster scenes.

Part III of the book deals with actual forensic podiatry cases from the UK and the USA. These case summaries will give the reader a perspective of what case work entails in different situations.

Part IV of the book concentrates on forensic podiatry practice standards that in many instances parallel expert witness responsibilities. It is essential to understand and comply with rulings, such as Daubert and others to integrate adequately with the law enforcement community. The “Ten Essentials for Forensic Podiatry Practice” should be part of any forensic expert’s standards.

Bandon, OR John A. DiMaggioDerbyshire Wesley Vernon

vii

Acknowledgements

Mark Hatcher: For reviewing the photography chapter.

Haydn Kelly: For pioneering forensic gait analysis. For providing additional mate-rial for and reviewing the chapter on forensic gait analysis.

Jai Saxelby: For providing additional comments on the chapter on forensic gait analysis.

Sarah Reel: For reviewing the bare footprint chapter.

Jeremy Walker: For support throughout the project and reviewing the chapters on footwear, podiatry records, and case studies.

Mike Allen: For joint working on standards in forensic podiatry. For reviewing the chapters on the crime scene and lab, the principles of forensic podiatry and the expert witness and standards of practice.

Dr Norman Gunn: For pioneering forensic podiatry. For mentoring and support over the past 20 years.

Dr Owen Facey: For mentoring and support over the past 16 years.

My wife, Val Vernon: For love and support over the past 28 years in this and the many other (mainly academic) trials and tribulations I have subjected her to over this period.

My parents, Denis and Irene Vernon: For their belief in me and support throughout my life.

Robin Summers, R.N.: For her photographic expertise.

My wife, Andriana DiMaggio: For her continued support.

Dwane S. Hilderbrand: For his constant support, mentoring, and conviction that Forensic Podiatry is a new and developing forensic discipline that plays an impor-tant role with reference to footprint evidence.

Bill Bodziak and Robert Kennedy: They were helpful in offering direction and sup-port in the early days, before Forensic Podiatry was established.

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Contents

Preface .............................................................................................................. v

Acknowledgements ......................................................................................... vii

Part I General Forensic Concerns

1 The Crime Scene and Crime Laboratory ............................................... 3

1.1 General Concerns Regarding Pedal Evidence ................................... 3

1.2 Crime Scene ....................................................................................... 4

1.3 Discovery of Physical Evidence ........................................................ 5

1.4 Enhancing Bare Footprint Evidence .................................................. 5

1.5 Collecting Questioned Bare Footprint Evidence ............................... 8

1.6 Collection of Evidence ....................................................................... 10

1.7 Chain of Custody ............................................................................... 10

1.8 Crime Laboratory ............................................................................... 10

References ................................................................................................... 11

2 Forensic Podiatry Principles and Human Identification ....................... 13

2.1 The Purpose of Human Identification ................................................ 13

2.2 Forensic Podiatry Practice: Principles and Definitions ...................... 14

2.2.1 Forensic Podiatry Is a Science ............................................... 14

2.2.2 Forensic Podiatry Is Science Used for Forensic Purposes ..... 16

2.2.3 Pedal Evidence Is One Form of Physical Evidence ............... 16

2.2.4 Criteria for Usable Physical Evidence ................................... 17

2.2.5 Class and Individual Characteristics ...................................... 19

2.2.6 Class Characteristics Differ in Evidential Value .................... 19

2.2.7 Physical Evidence and the Chain of Custody ........................ 20

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2.2.8 Expert Opinion Standards ...................................................... 21

2.2.9 ACE-V(R) Methodology ....................................................... 21

2.3 Expert Witness Background and Qualifications ................................ 22

References ................................................................................................... 23

Part II Podiatric Forensic Concerns

3 Photographic Techniques ......................................................................... 27

3.1 Digital Camera Revolution ................................................................ 27

3.2 Equipment Requirements ................................................................... 28

3.2.1 Camera ................................................................................... 28

3.2.2 Camera Support ..................................................................... 31

3.2.3 Copy Stand ............................................................................. 31

3.2.4 Tripod ..................................................................................... 32

3.2.5 Lighting .................................................................................. 33

3.2.6 Flash ....................................................................................... 34

3.2.7 External Lighting ................................................................... 34

3.2.8 Forensic Light Sources .......................................................... 35

3.2.9 Accessory Equipment ............................................................ 36

3.3 Preparing for Image Capture .............................................................. 36

3.4 General Support of the Process .......................................................... 39

3.4.1 Hardware ................................................................................ 39

3.4.2 Printer .................................................................................... 39

3.4.3 Software ................................................................................. 40

3.5 Digital Image Capture Techniques ..................................................... 40

3.5.1 Equipment Selection .............................................................. 40

3.5.2 Equipment Inspection ............................................................ 41

3.5.3 Equipment Set Up .................................................................. 41

3.5.4 Image Management ............................................................... 44

References ................................................................................................... 49

4 Bare Footprint Identification ................................................................... 51

4.1 Brief History ...................................................................................... 52

4.2 Obtaining Exemplar Prints ................................................................. 52

4.3 Variations in the Exemplar Footprint Collection Phase ..................... 54

4.4 Assessment of the Bare Footprint ...................................................... 55

4.4.1 Gunn Method ......................................................................... 58

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4.4.2 Optical Center Method .......................................................... 59

4.4.3 Overlay Method ..................................................................... 60

4.4.4 Defining the Rearmost Aspect of the Heel ............................ 63

4.4.5 Interpretative Aspects ............................................................ 65

4.5 Biomechanical Examination .............................................................. 70

4.6 Comparison ........................................................................................ 70

4.7 Evaluation .......................................................................................... 72

References ................................................................................................... 75

5 Footwear Examination and Analysis....................................................... 77

5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 77

5.2 Footwear Assessment: Initial Considerations .................................... 79

5.3 Footwear Assessment Phase 1 ........................................................... 80

5.4 Footwear Assessment Phase 2 ........................................................... 85

5.5 Shoe Owner Assessment .................................................................... 87

5.6 Footwear Assessment Phase 3 ........................................................... 88

5.7 Footwear Comparison and Evaluation ............................................... 89

5.7.1 Direct Comparisons ............................................................... 89

5.8 Evaluation (Interpretation) ................................................................. 93

5.8.1 Marked Shoe Size .................................................................. 94

5.8.2 Sized Shoe Length ................................................................. 94

5.8.3 Upper Crease Marks .............................................................. 94

5.8.4 Upper Distortions ................................................................... 97

5.8.5 Toe Impressions ..................................................................... 98

5.8.6 Foot Impressions .................................................................... 98

5.8.7 Outsole Wear Patterns ............................................................ 100

5.9 Conclusions ........................................................................................ 101

References ................................................................................................... 101

6 Forensic Gait Analysis .............................................................................. 103

6.1 Basic Principles .................................................................................. 103

6.1.1 Definition ............................................................................... 105

6.2 Method of Comparison ...................................................................... 106

6.3 Methodology ...................................................................................... 106

6.3.1 Collection of Known Footage ................................................ 107

6.4 Assessment ......................................................................................... 107

6.4.1 Quality Requirements ............................................................ 107

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6.4.2 Recognizable Features ........................................................... 111

6.5 Comparison and Evaluation ............................................................... 112

6.6 Cautions ............................................................................................. 113

6.7 Conclusions ........................................................................................ 114

References ................................................................................................... 114

7 Identification from Podiatry Records ..................................................... 117

7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 117

7.2 Method of Identification .................................................................... 119

7.2.1 Assessment of the Questioned Foot ....................................... 120

7.2.2 Assessment of Podiatric Records ........................................... 121

7.3 Comparison ........................................................................................ 122

7.3.1 Matched Features ................................................................... 122

7.4 Strength Scale .................................................................................... 132

7.5 Conclusions ........................................................................................ 132

References ................................................................................................... 133

Part III Pedal Case Work

8 Case Studies in Forensic Podiatry ........................................................... 137

8.1 Footprint Case Study (Crown vs. Clarke 2005) ................................. 137

8.2 Footwear Case Study (Crown vs. Chester-Nash 2006) ...................... 141

8.3 Footwear Case Study (2002) .............................................................. 145

8.4 Footwear Case Study (2007) .............................................................. 148

8.5 Phoenix Homicide Case ..................................................................... 150

8.6 Forensic Gait Analysis: Case History (Crown vs. Saunders 2000) ....... 160

References ................................................................................................... 163

Part IV Medicolegal Concerns

9 Expert Witness Considerations and Standards of Practice .................. 167

9.1 The Expert Witness ............................................................................ 167

9.2 Standards of Practice .......................................................................... 168

9.2.1 Personal and Professional Conduct ....................................... 169

9.2.2 Professional Practice .............................................................. 170

9.2.3 Professional Competence ....................................................... 170

9.2.4 Informing Others Where There Is the Potential for Miscarriages of Justice ..................................................... 171

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9.2.5 Providing Quality Assurance ................................................. 171

9.2.6 Accept Full Responsibility for All Work You Have Either Undertaken or Participated in ............................ 171

9.2.7 Being Prepared to Change an Opinion in the Presence of New Developments, Information, or Research Findings ........................................ 172

9.2.8 Confidentiality Should Be Appropriately Preserved ............. 172

9.3 Ten Essentials for Forensic Podiatry Practice .................................... 172

9.4 Summary ............................................................................................ 177

References ................................................................................................... 178

Glossary of Podiatric Terms ........................................................................... 179

Index ................................................................................................................. 183