A person can be easily identified through their facial features and their fingerprints observed Bahaa Abdul Hadi. The gait or the way a person walks can also be used to identify them. Gait recognition is being used today in criminal investigations. Investigators are using videos from CCTV to recognize people based on the way they walk or run. It is a new frontier in criminal investigation and its use would increase in the days to come.

Gait recognition

Every person walks in a unique or different way. The style in which a person walks can help in identifying them. This has led to a new field in criminal investigation, namely forensic gait analysis. It was in the year 2000 that gait recognition first entered the courtroom. A British court used gait recognition as evidence to identify a perpetrator.

The perpetrator had disguised his face and also wore two pairs of trousers to ensure he could not be recognized. However, he could not hide his gait. CCTV footage showed his walk. Investigators used this to identify him. They then worked with prosecutors to ensure the court accepted it a evidence, so he could be convicted.

How is Gait analysis done?

The gait of a person is linked to the way they walk. The process starts with the movement of the person’s pelvis. The person then moves their arms to ensure balanced distribution of weight. In Gait analysis, the movement as well as positioning is studied in detail. A person’s gait is like a signature and can be used for unique identification.

Its application is multi-fold and includes:

  • Identifying people who were present at a crime scene based on video footage.
  • Helping in identifying persons wearing masks.
  • Verifying alibis by determining if a person was a particular location or not.
  • Locating persons who are needed for the process of criminal investigation.
  • Studying the gait of persons to eliminate them from the list of suspects.
  • Arresting a perpetrator for a crime committed.

Gait recognition is being used in many cases and even courts are recognizing its application making it an effective identification system.  

Conclusion                                     

Gait of a person is a distinct physical feature that can be used for identification. With the proliferation of close circuit cameras, it is now easier for criminal investigators to use gait recognition to trap criminals. It is a new frontier that will aid investigators in ensuring justice is done by tracking down and punishing criminals. The article has been authored by Bahaa Abdul Hadi and has been published by the editorial board of Identity Herald. For more information, please visit www.identityherald.com.