Estimation of body weight from the base of gait and the area swept in one stride—forensic implications

Abstract Background Forensic gait analysis is a new discipline in forensic sciences but gaining popularity worldwide. CCTV camera footages from the scene of a crime can reveal a great detail about the perpetrator, and gait is one of them. Every individual possesses a unique manner of walking, which is the basis of forensic gait analysis. In the absence of CCTV cameras, footprint trails at the crime scene can provide valuable information about the perpetrator. The stature of the perpetrator can be estimated from spatial gait parameters, which can fasten the speed of the identification process. However, previous studies of the spatial gait parameters did not explore the possibility to estimate the body weight from spatial gait parameters. In the present study, two variables of spatial gait parameters, namely “base of gait” and “area swept in one stride,” were taken for the estimation of body weight. Methodology A sample of 388 adult males ranging in age from 18 to 30 years was taken for the present study. The data were collected from villages situated in district Ludhiana, Punjab, North India. Body weight of each participant was taken using a standard methodology. Two spatial gait parameters namely “base of gait” and the “area swept in one stride” were recorded from the dynamic footprints of the participants using the standard methodology and the novel technique devised by one of the authors (BS) respectively. After checking the normality of the data, a parametric t test statistics showed no bilateral asymmetry in both the gait parameters. Results Spatial gait parameters, i.e., base of gait (left R = 0.255, right R = 0.243) and area swept in one stride (left R = 0.204, right R = 0.221) showed positive, weak, but significant correlation with the body weight of the person. Linear and multiple regression models for the body weight estimation were developed in the present study. The highest accuracy in body weight estimation (SEE = 12.54) was achieved from the left base of gait. The multiple regression models indicate no improvement in the estimation error. Conclusion It can be concluded from the present study that the body weight of a person can be predicted from the spatial gait parameters to some extent. However, the weak values of the correlation and higher values of estimation error suggest that the base of gait and area swept in one stride should only be used in such situations when other means of body weight estimation cannot be applied