Gait analysis in forensic medicine

Peter K. Larsen; Erik B. Simonsen; Niels Lynnerup

doi:10.1117/12.698512

29 January 2007 Gait analysis in forensic medicine

Peter K. Larsen, Erik B. Simonsen, Niels Lynnerup

Proceedings Volume 6491, Videometrics IX; 64910M (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.698512
Event: Electronic Imaging 2007, 2007, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

We have combined the basic human ability to recognize other individuals with functional anatomical and biomechanical knowledge, in order to analyze the gait of perpetrators as recorded on surveillance video. The perpetrators are then compared with similar analyses of suspects. At present we give a statement to the police as to whether the perpetrator has a characteristic gait pattern compared to normal gait, and if a suspect has a comparable gait pattern. We have found agreements such as: limping, varus instability in the knee at heel strike, larger lateral flexion of the spinal column to one side than the other, inverted ankle during stance, pronounced sagittal head-movements, and marked head-shoulder posture. Based on these characteristic features, we state whether suspect and perpetrator could have the same identity but it is not possible to positively identify the perpetrator. Nevertheless, we have been involved in several cases where the court has found that this type of gait analysis, especially combined with photogrammetry, was a valuable tool. The primary requisites are surveillance cameras recording with sufficient frequency, ideally about 15 Hz, which are positioned in frontal and preferably also in profile view.

Citation Download Citation

Peter K. Larsen, Erik B. Simonsen, and Niels Lynnerup "Gait analysis in forensic medicine", Proc. SPIE 6491, Videometrics IX, 64910M (29 January 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.698512

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