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By:

Dr. Keshav Kumar

3 February 2025 at 7:36:17 am

The Science of Gait Analysis

As facial recognition reaches its limits, the science of how we walk is emerging as a powerful new tool in forensic investigation. In today’s world, where surveillance cameras are present everywhere, identifying a suspect is no longer restricted to only fingerprints and facial recognition. Modern forensic science has shown that the way a person walks provides valuable evidence during a criminal investigation. This unique walking pattern, known as gait, has emerged as a valuable behavioural...

The Science of Gait Analysis

As facial recognition reaches its limits, the science of how we walk is emerging as a powerful new tool in forensic investigation. In today’s world, where surveillance cameras are present everywhere, identifying a suspect is no longer restricted to only fingerprints and facial recognition. Modern forensic science has shown that the way a person walks provides valuable evidence during a criminal investigation. This unique walking pattern, known as gait, has emerged as a valuable behavioural biometric. By analysing gait from CCTV footage, forensic experts help investigators identify suspects, particularly when other methods of identification are unavailable. This makes gait analysis useful in cases involving masked offenders like kidnappings, murders, robberies, terrorist attacks and other crimes captured on surveillance cameras. Although gait analysis is now an important forensic tool, it originated in the medical field, where doctors studied walking patterns to diagnose movement disorders. Over time, researchers discovered that every individual has unique walking patterns, influenced by their age, height, body structure, injuries, habits, and footwear. Advances in video technology, computer-based analysis, and artificial intelligence have transformed gait analysis into an important scientific tool in criminal investigations. Notable Cases India has witnessed several notable cases in which gait analysis played a key role in criminal investigations. One of the most notable examples is the 2021 Saki Naka rape and murder case in Mumbai. The CCTV footage captured the accused's body movements near the crime scene. As facial recognition alone was insufficient, forensic experts compared the accused's walking patterns with the individual seen in the footage. The gait analysis report, along with CCTV evidence, witness statements and other findings, strengthened the prosecution’s case. Rather than serving as a standalone proof, gait analysis acted as corroborative evidence. Recently, during the investigation of the 2026 Ketan Agarwal murder case in Pune, investigators compared the accused’s gait with CCTV footage, as the suspect’s face was allegedly hidden with a hoodie. Investigators recreated the suspect’s walk under similar conditions to compare it with CCTV footage, highlighting how gait analysis is becoming a valuable investigative source in India when traditional methods of identification are limited. In State of Tamil Nadu v. Ponnusamy (2026 INSC 507), the Supreme Court observed that Gait analysis is a useful scientific technique for identifying suspects; however, the court also clarified that gait analysis should not be treated as the only evidence but rather should be used alongside CCTV footage, witness testimony, and other forensic findings. This approach encourages the use of scientific evidence while protecting the fairness and credibility of the judicial process. Recent scientific research highlights advanced forensic gait analysis through artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning. Unlike fingerprints or facial features, gait can remain useful even when a suspect’s face is concealed or the image quality is poor. By examining factors such as stride length, walking speed, body movement and the timing of each step, experts can identify patterns that may help establish whether two video recordings show the same individual. Modern systems combine spatiotemporal and biomechanical gait measurements for analysing walking patterns, even from low-quality CCTV footage, which makes gait analysis faster, more accurate, and increases its value in criminal investigation. The growing importance of forensic gait analysis highlights the work of experts and institutions across the world. In India, experts such as Dr. T.D. Dogra and Dr. B.R. Sharma made remarkable contributions in the field of forensic science. Internationally, Professor Mark S. Nixon pioneered gait recognition research. Government organisations such as the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), along with private organisations like Truth Labs, support research and the use of modern forensic technologies in criminal investigations. As forensic science continues to emerge, gait analysis opens up with new possibilities in solving crimes and delivering justice. While it only serves as one piece of the puzzle, it provides valuable clues when used with other evidence. After all, every step has a story to tell, and sometimes, that story leads investigators to the truth. (Writers are experts in forensic matters. Views personal.)

Clever seat selection helped BJP to secure historic win

Writer: Ruddhi Phadke
Ruddhi Phadke
Nov 29, 2024
2 min read

The party won 65 seats against Congress, 37 against NCP (SP) and 29 against Shiv Sena (UBT)

Clever seat selection

Mumbai: The BJP’s strategic seat sharing with the allies has proved beneficial for the party. An analysis of the Assembly election results show that the BJP has scored over its main rival, the Congress, in a big way because of the direct fights.


The analysis shows that BJP defeated all three constituents of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) – Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) – in the direct fights. This is attributed as one of the reasons for the BJP’s historic poll success.


The BJP contested 147 out of 288 seats. In 76 constituencies, it faced Congress. BJP secured victory in 65 seats and lost only 11 seats, making it a whopping 86 per cent of the total direct fights. This was followed by an even stronger performance against NCP (SP). Of the total 39 fights with Sharad Pawar’s party, BJP captured 37 seats making it 95 per cent of the total fights with NCP (SP). BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) were head-to-head in 32 constituencies, of which BJP emerged victorious in 29 seats, making this 91 per cent of the total direct contests.


According to a BJP strategist the party had bargained hard with its allies, Shiv Sena and NCP to get the desired constituencies in the seat sharing formula. “We had studied to potential candidates of the MVA. That helped us in choosing the seats where we can register comfortable victories,” the strategist said.


BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty attributed the success to all the party workers who worked hard to boost development, infrastructure in the state. He gave credit to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his contribution to the party’s success.


Shetty pointed out that in 2019, Uddhav Thackeray had stalled all the “novel” and “legendary” projects that Fadnavis had started when he had taken over as CM, making it very easy for the people of Maharashtra to strike a comparison between both the leaders and the potential they had for serving the people. “Devendra Fadnavis gave up his post very easily for the larger good. There are many such examples like Venkaiah Naidu who was BJP National President and later worked as the Vice President of India because that was the need of the hour. We seldom care about our posts,” Shetty told The Perfect Voice.


Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe refused to call the election results as the people’s mandate. “This is not at all a Janata mandate. Despite Maharashtra struggling with so many basic social issues, how can BJP acquire such a huge mandate is the question. If a student copies and fails with just passing marks, it can go unnoticed, but if a student copies and bags the number one position, something is fishy. Why is the BJP scared of ballot papers?” he said.

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