Forensic Gait Analysis

Professor Ivan Birch is Consultant Expert Witness in forensic gait analysis with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Emeritus Professor of Human Sciences. Ivan graduated in 1978 with a BSc Joint Honours in Science from the University of Salford, gained an MSc in Human Biology from the University of Loughborough in 1980, and was awarded a PhD in Biomechanics by the University of Brighton in 2007. He has extensive experience of teaching biomechanics, anatomy, physiology and research methods, and is a Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. In 2015 he was awarded the status of the Chartered Scientist by the Science Council and College of Podiatry in the UK for his work in gait analysis as evidence. Ivan is included on the National Crime Agency Specialist Operations Centre Expert Witness Advisers Database in the UK, and has more than 35 years' experience of gait analysis.

Dr. Michael Nirenberg is a Board Certified podiatric physician and surgeon with over 25 years of experience in private practice. His long career of dedicated public service has included work as a podiatric surgical residency instructor to new podiatrists, lectures to the public on foot issues, and assisting law enforcement, including the FBI, with criminal investigations involving foot and gait evidence. Dr. Nirenberg's forensic analysis of footwear and footprints has helped in the conviction of criminals. Currently, Dr. Nirenberg serves as President-Elect of the American Society of Forensic Podiatry.

Professor Wesley Vernon OBE (Retired) Previously Head of Podiatry, Research Lead and Deputy AHP Lead, Sheffield Primary and Community Services, Past Visiting Professor Staffordshire University. Current Visiting Professor, University of Huddersfield. Fellow and past Chair of Quality Standards, Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Founding Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Fellow in Podiatric Medicine and of the Faculty of Management, College of Podiatrists. Meritorious Award holder of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. Distinguished Member, Dedication to Service Award holder and past Chair of the forensic podiatry Science and Practice committee, the International Association for Identification. Past President of the Society of Shoefitters. Authored/co-authored over 80 journal articles. Co-author of Forensic Podiatry: Principles and Methods, 1st and 2nd editions and contributor to Forensic Human Identification (eds Thompson and Black), 2007. Awarded OBE in 2009 for services to medicine and health care.

Dr Maria Birch is a Principal Lecturer, and Deputy Head of the School of Health Sciences at the University of Brighton. She has been teaching students of the allied professions for 24 years, mainly lower limb anatomy and clinical podiatry. She has published work in forensic practice, arterial disease, and reflective practice. She has presented at national and international conferences on the student experience of learning anatomy, of the teaching and assessment of anatomy, and of the promotion of autonomous learning. She supports student research at BSc & MSc level, and peer reviews for four journals. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Fellow of Podiatric Medicine with the College of Podiatry, and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.