Publius Syrus stated back in 42 B.C., “You cannot put the same shoe on every foot.” (Maxim 596) Though written long before the advent of forensic science, Syrus’ maxim summarizes the theme of Forensic Medicine of the Lower Extremity: Human Identification and Trauma Analysis of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot.

Analysis, Development, and Identification Markers.- The Decomposition of Human Remains.- Forensically Significant Skeletal Anatomy.- Normal Osteology of the Knee Joint and Markers of Stress and Injury.- Anthropological Analysis of the Lower Extremity.- Estimating Age at Death.- Radiology of the Lower Extremity.- Trauma Analysis and Reconstruction.- Injuries to Children.- Skeletal Trauma Analysis of the Lower Extremity.- Biomechanics of Impact Injury.- Injuries of the Thigh, Knee, and Ankle as Reconstructive Factors in Road Traffic Accidents.- Biomechanical Analysis of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents.- Foot Identification Case Studies, Pedal Evidence, and Ongoing Research.- “The Game is Afoot!”.- The Role of Feet and Footwear in Medicolegal Investigations.- Ongoing Research Into Barefoot Impression Evidence.

The lower extremity is a tremendously variable anatomic region that can be used to establish individual identity, or, if damaged, can be used to reconstruct antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem trauma. In Forensic Medicine of the Lower Extremity: Human Identification and Trauma Analysis of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot, leading forensic authorities rigorously review both the scientific and practical aspects of human identification, trauma analysis, and biomechanics of lower extremity as encountered in decomposed or dismembered individuals, mass casualty situations, and human rights abuse investigations. On the scientific side, the authors describe the biochemical events of decomposition, detail the use of radiology to facilitate identification and evaluate trauma, and explain principles of osteology, with an emphasis on the implications for skeletal anatomy for age, sex, race, and height estimation. On the practical side, they apply these approaches to trauma analysis and accident reconstruction, including slip-and-fall incidents, impact, traffic, and pediatric injuries, and considerations of foot and footprint identification. Specific case studies discuss the identification process using the foot and ankle and illuminate the forensic potential of feet, footwear, and barefoot impression evidence. Authoritative and copiously illustrated, Forensic Medicine of the Lower Extremity: Human Identification and Trauma Analysis of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot comprehensively reviews the basic process of forensic identification, trauma investigation, and accident reconstruction of the lower extremity.

From the reviews: "...a major step forward, mainly in the radiological, traumatological and biomechanical chapters...it will greatly enhance day to day work for experts in the specific field of forensic medicine." - International Journal of Legal Medicine "...useful reference text for any agency involved in identification, accident reconstruction, and footprint identification." - Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal "This is the latest book in the ever-growing Forensic Science and Medicine series, published by Humana under the overall editorship of Steve Karch. … It is broken down into several neat chapters … which are well written, well illustrated and complement more general texts efficiently. … this book could be a useful addition to the forensic pathologist’s library." (Dr S Kolar, American College of Physicians News, Spring, 2006)