The development and practice of forensic podiatry

Forensic podiatry is a small, but potentially useful specialty using clinical podiatric knowledge for the purpose of person identification. The practice of forensic podiatry began in the early 1970s in Canada and the UK, although supportive research commenced later in the 1990s. Techniques of forensic podiatry include identification from podiatry records, the human footprint, footwear, and the analysis of gait forms captured on Closed Circuit Television Cameras. The most valuable techniques relate to the comparison of the foot impressions inside shoes. Tools to describe, measure and compare foot impressions with footwear wear marks have been developed through research with potential for further development. The role of forensic podiatrists is of particular value when dealing with variable factors relating to the functioning and the shod foot. Case studies demonstrate the approach of podiatrists, in footwear identification, when comparing exemplar with questioned foot impressions. Forensic podiatry practice should be approached cautiously and it is essential for podiatrists undertaking this type of work to understand the context within which the process of person identification takes place.     

The Slanic-Prahova (ROMANIA) underground low-background radiation laboratory.

A low-background radiation laboratory was constructed and fully commissioned in 2006 in the former Unirea (Slanic-Prahova) salt mine at 208m below surface (estimated to 560m water equivalent). Preliminary measurements showed a global reduction of the absorbed dose due to natural factors of about 39 times compared to level on the surface, reaching inside the mine 1.17+/-0.14nGy/h. The total gamma background spectrum between 40KeV and 3MeV was 100 times smaller at laboratory level with respect to the same spectrum recorder at surface, in open field. All these experimental facts recommend the Slanic-Prahova low-background radiation laboratory, at present time fully operational, as very suitable for various measurements needing a low background.