Forensic podiatry in the identification of gait by CCTV. A systematic review

Forensic podiatry is the application of the professional knowledge of this specialist in the legal field as an expert. Forensic podiatrists collaborate in the forensic identification of evidence that, from the foot, can help clarify what happened at a crime or crime scene. At the scene of the crime, footprints, shoe prints, and traces are evidence that are present even though they might not be immediately visible. The forensic analysis of a suspect's gait is evidence sometimes available and has as an important characteristic: it is an individualistic parameter and even a biometric factor. This gait analysis can be very relevant as evidence in the context of a crime. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the reliability of gait forensics with respect to the use of angular measurements compared to observational analysis of morphological characteristics to identify the current gold standard.

A systematic review of the scientific literature available in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Dialnet has been carried out. Nine observational studies were selected after applying the eligibility criteria.

The selected studies were analytical and provided, among other information, numerical data on the reliability, reproducibility, and validity of the analysis methods in question. There is not enough conclusive scientific evidence on the reliability of the method of analysis using angular measurements, as there is controversy between authors.

Forensic gait analysis based on angular measurements shows reliability limitations due to intra-individual factors (mood, clothing), requiring further empirical evidence; in contrast, the observational method analyzing of unique gait characteristics emerges as the most reliable method, offering high accuracy, validity, and reproducibility when conducted by trained biomechanical experts.