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Mass Disaster Identification - Can Chiropodists Help?

NCJ Number
98910
Journal
Police Surgeon Dated: (April 1984) Pages: 14-20
Author(s)
I E Donley; P H G Harris
Date Published
1984
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Chiropodists' medical records, which contain detailed information on patients' foot diseases, deformities, and treatment, can often be useful in identifying bodies, particularly when other identifying parts of the body have deteriorated or are missing.
Abstract
Chiropodists have standard foot charts that are basically the same throughout the profession. The charts indicate the patient's history, abnormalities, and treatment plans. These records can be used to identify persons who have been treated by chiropodists. Persons of all ages have occasion to be treated by chiropodists, and various foot diseases or maladies, such as corns and callouses, are common the world over. Chiropodists also maintain records on any special appliances a patient may use to treat foot problems, such as shoe supports and plastic arches. There is no reason that the success of dental identification by reference to existing professional dental records cannot be replicated with the feet through chiropodists' records. An example of a chiropody analysis record is provided along with a four-item bibliography.