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Forensic Podiatry is a sub-discipline of forensic science wherein knowledge of forensic medicine is used in conjunction with knowledge of the anatomy, function, deformities and diseases of the foot, ankle, lower extremities, and at times, the entire human body, to examine foot-related evidence in a legal and/or criminal investigation context.

Forensic podiatry evidence can include different forms and four main areas of practise have developed to help with the identification process. These include bare footprints (the consideration of static and dynamic foot impressions) footwear (focussing on features of wear and fit), the use of podiatrists records to assist the Courts (eg using treatment notes and X rays to identify the deceased) and forensic gait analysis (usually the consideration of gait patterns of the perpetrators of crime as captured on CCTV cameras). In the course of an investigation, forensic podiatrists would typically follow the ACEV approach in which questioned podiatrists evidence is analysed, then compared to known exemplar evidence collected from a suspect, the results of that comparison are evaluated and finally the work would be verified by another peer forensic podiatrist before an expert report is submitted.

In the early 1970s Dr. Norman Gunn DPM, a podiatric physician based in Canada was the first podiatrist to undertake case work. In 1989, Dr Wesley Vernon, a podiatrist based in the UK began to undertake research in the field of forensic podiatry and started to undertake forensic podiatry case work from the mid 1990s. In the early 1990s Dr. John DiMaggio DPM began forensic podiatry casework in the US.

In 2008 a forensic podiatry science and practice committee was initiated within the International Association for Identification. Dr Wesley Vernon was the first chair of this committee, which is now chaired by Dr Sarah Reel, a UK- based forensic podiatrist. Members of both the ASFP and U.K. forensic podiatrists sit in this group.

In 2011, DiMaggio and Vernon together published the first text book in forensic podiatry (Forensic Podiatry: Principles and Methods) which covered all four area of practise. In 2017 an updated, much more comprehensive 2nd edition of this book was published by CRC Press.

In 2012, a Masters level course in forensic podiatry commenced at the University of Huddersfield in the UK and this course was eventually developed into a full MSc post graduate course in forensic podiatry.

In 2013 a Forensic Podiatry group was started at New York College of Podiatric Medicine under the auspices of Dr. Bryan B. Kagan DPM. In addition to the group a formal class covering the aspects of Forensic Podiatry is being held at New York College of Podiatric Medicine open to their Podiatrist candidates. Students exit the class with an in depth knowledge of Forensic Podiatry and other legal knowledge applicable to current cases.

Also in 2013, a student forensic podiatry group was started at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine.

In 2016, a Forensic Podiatry Club was started at the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, created by Elizabeth Ansert.

In the United Kingdom, forensic podiatry is undertaken by specialized podiatrists, all of which are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council. From 2009 group of forensic podiatrists have been involved with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences who have developed a competency test for podiatrists specializing in this field.

The subfield of forensic gait analysis is also undertaken by professionals other than forensic podiatrists. These would typically be human movement scientists although digital image analysts, physical therapists and orthopedic specialists have also been known to have been involved in this area of case work. At the time of writing at the behest of the UK Regulator for Forensic Science a document is out for consultation which will state the standards of practice of anyone providing forensic gait analysis reports for the courts in the UK.

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 '''Forensic Podiatry''' is a sub-discipline of [[forensic science]] wherein knowledge of [[forensic medicine]] is used in conjunction with knowledge of the [[anatomy]], function, deformities and [[diseases of the foot]], [[ankle]], lower extremities, and at times, the entire human body, to examine foot-related evidence in a legal and/or criminal investigation context.
+Forensic podiatry evidence can include different forms and four main areas of practise have developed to help with the identification process. These include bare footprints (the consideration of static and dynamic foot impressions) footwear (focussing on features of wear and fit), the use of podiatrists records to assist the Courts (eg using treatment notes and X rays to identify the deceased) and forensic gait analysis (usually the consideration of gait patterns of the perpetrators of crime as captured on CCTV cameras). In the course of an investigation, forensic podiatrists would typically follow the ACEV approach in which questioned podiatrists evidence is analysed, then compared to known exemplar evidence collected from a suspect, the results of that comparison are evaluated and finally the work would be verified by another peer forensic podiatrist before an expert report is submitted.
-Foot-related evidence can comprise different forms, including: static and dynamic foot impressions (i.e. [[footprints]]) in footwear, on surfaces, in substrates, on victims; partial or complete pedal remains; or as found in medical records or x-ray (often to identify unknown individuals). In the course of an investigation, forensic podiatrists may examine footprints, footwear, or analyze and compare the [[gait]] of unknown individuals.
-In the early 1970s Dr. Norman Gunn DPM, a podiatric physician based in Canada was the first podiatrist to undertake case work.  In the early 1990s Dr. John DiMaggio DPM began forensic podiatry casework in the US.
+In the early 1970s Dr. Norman Gunn DPM, a podiatric physician based in Canada was the first podiatrist to undertake case work. In 1989, Dr Wesley Vernon, a podiatrist based in the UK began to undertake research in the field of forensic podiatry and started to undertake forensic podiatry case work  from the mid 1990s. In the early 1990s Dr. John DiMaggio DPM began forensic podiatry casework in the US.
+In 2008 a forensic podiatry science and practice committee was initiated within the International Association for Identification. Dr Wesley Vernon was the first chair of this committee, which is now chaired by Dr Sarah Reel, a UK- based forensic podiatrist. Members of both the ASFP and U.K. forensic podiatrists sit in this group.
-In September 2003, an organization was formed called the [[American Society of Forensic Podiatry]]. In July 2007, with the help of ASFP members, a forensic [[podiatry]] sub-committee was established within the structure of the [[International Association for Identification]].
+In 2011, DiMaggio and Vernon together published the first text book in forensic podiatry (Forensic Podiatry: Principles and Methods) which covered all four area of practise. In 2017 an updated, much more comprehensive 2nd edition of this book was published by CRC Press.
+In 2012, a Masters level course in forensic podiatry commenced at the University of Huddersfield in the UK and this course was eventually developed into a full MSc post graduate course in forensic podiatry.
 In 2013 a [[Forensic Podiatry]] group was started at [[New York College of Podiatric Medicine]] under the auspices of Dr. Bryan B. Kagan DPM. In addition to the group a formal class covering the aspects of [[Forensic Podiatry]] is being held at [[New York College of Podiatric Medicine]] open to their [[Podiatrist]] candidates. Students exit the class with an in depth knowledge of [[Forensic Podiatry]] and other legal knowledge applicable to current cases.
@@ Line 14: / Line 18: @@
 In 2016, a Forensic Podiatry Club was started at the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, created by Elizabeth Ansert.
-In the United Kingdom the term forensic podiatry is undertaken by specialized podiatrists, all of which are regulated by the [[Health and Care Professions Council]]. From 2009 group of forensic podiatrists have been involved with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences who have developed a competency test for podiatrists specializing in this field.  Other forensic podiatrists advise the [[College of Podiatry]] - this group set up in 2012 is the Forensic Podiatry Special Advisory Group.
+In the United Kingdom, forensic podiatry is undertaken by specialized podiatrists, all of which are regulated by the [[Health and Care Professions Council]]. From 2009 group of forensic podiatrists have been involved with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences who have developed a competency test for podiatrists specializing in this field.
+The subfield of forensic gait analysis is also undertaken by professionals other than forensic podiatrists. These would typically be human movement scientists although digital image analysts, physical therapists and orthopedic specialists have also been known to have been involved in this area of case work. At the time of writing at the behest of the UK Regulator for Forensic Science a document is out for consultation which will state the standards of practice of anyone providing forensic gait analysis reports for the courts in the UK.
 ==External links==