Measuring an individual’s gait

Gait recognition is a behavioral biometric that identifies the manner and style of how we walk. Using a gait to identify an individual is an unobtrusive biometric that does not require the cooperation of the individual. In this section, we’ll outline how gait recognition works and how this biometric can aid law enforcement in threat management.

Let’s start with how we define and assess a subject’s gait or stride.

Characterizing a gait

Gait recognition is a unique biometric that measures the various parameters involved when we walk. The gait cycle consists of several iterations of foot-to-surface (or heel strike) contact for the same foot.

Let’s first outline what is measured when assessing our gait.

Measuring our stride

When we walk, we move through various phases, according to the position of our feet and legs. All of these movements can be measured. Phases range from the stance, through the resultant...