NCJ Number
173255
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 47 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 1997 Pages: 162-170
Date Published
1997
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In 1994, the use of podiatry records as an alternative identification technique for use in forensic and mass disaster situations was suggested and a test of viability was conducted; to verify the success of podiatrists when allowed to state absolute certainty of judgments, testing was repeated using an identification strength scale.
Abstract
Methods used in the current testing were taken directly from the 1994 test while using an identification strength scale to allow participants to state a level of confidence in their judgments. Subjects to be identified were randomly selected from live patients for whom podiatry records were available. Six podiatrists completed 25 tests, resulting in a total of 150 tests. Podiatrists compared patient lesions and deformities with those on treatment cards. Using the identification strength scale to indicate level of confidence in judgments, podiatrists gave their opinions on whether the treatment card referred to the particular patient. Results showed the greater proportion of judgments were made with absolute certainty. Conversely, the point on the identification strength scale showing the least degree of confidence was also the least used category in testing, thus favoring the potential success of identification from podiatry records and enhancing the validity of methods used. The most frequent reason given for failure to identify correctly was the lesion pattern being of common occurrence. Successful identification depended on the presence of sufficient, unusual, or unusually cited stable foot pathology. All podiatrists exhibited similar degrees of success when undertaking their identification judgments. Further research on the stability of foot pathology is recommended. 4 references and 1 table